Lamy Safari Disappointment

[FountainFreak]

I just added the Safari to use at work since it was light weight and had crazy high reviews on Amazon. As soon as I got it I was underwhelmed, the flow was inconsistent and the start would take 2-3 attempts to prime for the first stroke. I loved the pen when it functioned properly, and noticed a difference on certain papers around the office... But unless I'm missing something since I am inexperienced with FPs - it was a real under performer.

 

Keep in mind I am used to budget pens, and have yet to spend over $50 on a pen, but compared to my similarly priced Schrade Tactical FP, the Lamy was just plain "meh." Hundreds of reviews online say I am wrong though... Any thoughts would be awesome, one thing is for sure I LOVE FPs, just want to find the next right one!!

 

Thanks all

Edited December 6, 2014 by FountainFreak

[RMN]

Hi. Pity you had a bad experience. This can happen with all brands of FP, even the very expensive.

 

Sometimes something is really wrong with the pen, sometimes it is just a matter of production residue hampering good inkflow and a good flush will help.

 

You say you are used to pens, so I take it you are accustomed to flushing procedures.

 

Also check if the nib is seated well. You can easily pull the nib with some rubber gripping, or a piece of sellotape. Nib slides right off and on.

 

 

Good luck

 

 

D.ick

[FountainFreak]

Thanks so much! I am only as used to pens as you can be owning a couple and reading a LOT on sites like Richard's

 

I did learn about flushing recently and will try that ASAP, but I noticed the leakage got really bad when I tightened the portion with the nib and fins. Weird thing is both pens are new, so I understand and accept maintenance is a part of FP ownership, but it seems like they should last more than a week or two?

Edited December 6, 2014 by FountainFreak

[RMN]

Sorry, both pens? leakage? Is your Schrade leaking? You did not say that above.

 

I was addressing the skipping problem on your Lamy Safari.

 

The portion with the nib and fins is called the section. The back end the barrel. Well, the cap is self explaining.....

The fins is the feed.

 

 

I suggest you visit richardpens.com and read a lot on the reference pages (link is left of the page) which is a wealth in pen knowledge. You will be happy to spend some hours on that website....

 

 

When reporting on problems like leakage always state which pen,, filling mechanism (Piston, Cartridge, Converter, lever....) WHERE it leaks, since when it leaks (what you did before) what ink you use....

Because leakage could be anything from a loose cartridge to a broken feed to "nib creep" (read that website ).....

 

 

D.ick

[Sailor Kenshin]

My first Safari was a 'lemon.' Or so I thought. Many years and limited edition Safaris later, I love this model. If I had been on FPN back then, I probably could have fixed it.

 

A couple more questions: What ink do you have in it? Cartridge or converter? What nib?

 

Sometimes it's a simple fix. Sometimes you really do need to exchange a lemon.

[pen2paper]

Hi, and Welcome!

You've come to the right place.

 

While it's not impossible to get a Safari dud, (my last Safari purchase came with a cracked feed, and was replaced immediately by the re-seller), typically there are reasonable solutions to each issue.

 

Manufacturing sludge, flushing new pens with cool water is good advice, though most of my Lamy's wrote smoothly at first touch to paper.

 

Prime the feed with ink. Safari feed holds a lot of ink. The first fill, or just after a clean flush I always give the cartridge a squeeze, or converter a twist to flood-fill the feed - hold nib down to wick a drop of ink on paper towel or non-lint cloth. From that drop forward the pen should be smooth unless your paper or ink is the actual issue. Otherwise I keep refilling ink avoiding dry-out, and never experience skipping or dry nib issues that others note. I've been practicing this since the 1st red Safari was issued - have most colors except terra/vanna, most internationals, the last two neons, with no writing duds yet, except for the single cracked feed. I will note that the last nib was a Bold, which did require a full feed after it's first flush as it required all ink, and not a slight mix of flush water/ink to write fluidly. It does now I used it yesterday filled with Aurora Black ink.

 

Edit to add: Lamy converter must be fully seated, or there will be a flow, possible leak issue.

Note: see other thread on method to add a stainless steel ball bearing in converter, If you're having flow issues with certain inks. I've not had this problem, but it may be a good resolution for your ink choice. Be sure to completely clean converter of old ink residue, as some inks do not perform well when mixed.

 

While I have changed nibs, I've never pulled a Safari feed, nor had one leak. With reasonable flushing, I see no reason to pull a Safari feed. Perhaps others could detail why they found it necessary to do so? Safari is a very tough user pen, but could crack when forced, which would require replacing those parts.

Hope this helps.

Edited December 6, 2014 by pen2paper

[KBeezie]

1) Did you give it a clean flush before using it the first time (ie: some diluted clear dish soap etc), mfr oils or debris from storage can cause problems. (Nutshell: debris/oil in feed/nib)

2) If you were using a converter did you try another converter (Assuming you have other Lamy pens) or attempt to see if the problem existed with a cartridge. (Nutshell: improperly sealed or bad converter)

3) Unlikely but... where on Amazon did you get it? Was it a reputable/authorized seller of Lamy products? (Nutshell: Counterfeit Safari)

Edited December 6, 2014 by KBeezie

[Bogon07]

Lamy usually test their pens with blue ink and often there will be a residual bit of it under the nib above the feed. Sometimes this may cause flow problems so it is best to flush, clean and also slide off the nib to clean underneath it with new Safari, Al-Star, Studio etc.

 

Brian Goulet has a short video on how to easily remove the Lamy nib

http://blog.gouletpens.com/2011/03/swapping-lamy-nibs-with-just-tape-video.html

[______Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

I have purchased about seven Lamy Al-Stars (aluminum version of the Safari) and never had to flush it initial use, but you never know.

 

I have bought a couple of the pens thru Amazon but always remember that unless the seller is actually stated as being Amazon you maybe buying from a questionable reseller.

[FountainFreak]

Hi everyone

Just finished another 80+ hour week at work... I will get caught up on all the posts above. I ended up sending the LAMY back, and will order the Pilot Cosmopolitan that was suggested by so many of you here and over on my introduction thread. I am so happy for all the help and feedback, greatly appreciated. I am so happy I made the switch to fountain pens and am loving using different colors of inks lately, although they go fast that isn't an issue because I like swapping the cartridges out -- plus, I will end up getting a refillable reservoir or "converter" I believe they are called very soon! I just can't seem to find one that doesn't require some finagling or slight modification to fit into my Schrade tactical FP.

[Notgatherox]

 

Hi everyone

Just finished another 80+ hour week at work... I will get caught up on all the posts above. I ended up sending the LAMY back, and will order the Pilot Cosmopolitan that was suggested by so many of you here and over on my introduction thread. I am so happy for all the help and feedback, greatly appreciated. I am so happy I made the switch to fountain pens and am loving using different colors of inks lately, although they go fast that isn't an issue because I like swapping the cartridges out -- plus, I will end up getting a refillable reservoir or "converter" I believe they are called very soon! I just can't seem to find one that doesn't require some finagling or slight modification to fit into my Schrade tactical FP.

 

 

If I'm not wrong, the Schrade takes standard international converters - a Pelikan or Faber Castell one would work. Many brands use standard international.

 

Of course, you could always refill the cartridges too. Just syringe ink into the finished cartridge.

 

 

 

~Epic

[FountainFreak]

 

If I'm not wrong, the Schrade takes standard international converters - a Pelikan or Faber Castell one would work. Many brands use standard international.

 

Of course, you could always refill the cartridges too. Just syringe ink into the finished cartridge.

 

 

 

~Epic

 

Yes, it does (int. cartridge)

 

Speaking of Faber Castell, I saw an awesome looking carbon fiber model from them the other day... and years ago I used to draw a lot, and liked their art supplies a lot so maybe their FPs are nice as well (?)

 

Anyway, if I use a syringe what gauge needle (ex. 18g is large and 23g is smaller according to Google) should I use so it isn't too small to let the ink flow but not so large that the ink can spill out of the hole?

 

By the way, when I refill with a needle I leave the cartridge installed into the pen, right? If and when I take the cartridge out to replace it with a new one (I bought about 30-40 cartridges with diff colors from Amazon) the little ball or "valve" inside has been displaced and if there was any ink remaining it will all spill out (which I why I don't swap cartridges half-way through if I get the itch to change ink colors if I'm drawing for example). Thanks!

[Notgatherox]

 

Yes, it does (int. cartridge)

 

Speaking of Faber Castell, I saw an awesome looking carbon fiber model from them the other day... and years ago I used to draw a lot, and liked their art supplies a lot so maybe their FPs are nice as well (?)

 

Anyway, if I use a syringe what gauge needle (ex. 18g is large and 23g is smaller according to Google) should I use so it isn't too small to let the ink flow but not so large that the ink can spill out of the hole?

 

By the way, when I refill with a needle I leave the cartridge installed into the pen, right? If and when I take the cartridge out to replace it with a new one (I bought about 30-40 cartridges with diff colors from Amazon) the little ball or "valve" inside has been displaced and if there was any ink remaining it will all spill out (which I why I don't swap cartridges half-way through if I get the itch to change ink colors if I'm drawing for example). Thanks!

 

FC has one of the best steel nibs out there, lovely nibs. Take a look at the Basic and Loom models, I trust they will serve you well.

 

My needle seems to be 19G (according to the exterior packaging). Just insert the needle into the cartridge, and press down on the plunger. Of course, stop pushing when the cartridge is full

 

Nope, you'll have to remove the (empty) cartridge. There will be a hole at the top of the cartridge, and that's where you refill with a syringe and needle. Changing colour is possible, once the old cartridge is cleaned of ink!

 

 

~Epic

[Sailor Kenshin]

Don't over-fill the empty carts, either. You want some air space in there.

[FountainFreak]

Thanks a lot guys!