Is This Copper Orange Al-Star A Fake?

[Nameles]

Hey folks, I'm new here, and new to Lamy. I just bought a Lamy Al-Star from an Amazon seller. I've heard a lot about fake Safaris, and less about fake Al-Stars so when I received my order today, and saw the box that if came in, I was immediately suspicious.

 

As you can see by the attached photos, this pen did not come in the typical slotted box. Instead it came in a very cheap looking box with no warranty or instructional paperwork included.

 

Do you think this is a legit Al-Star? Or a fake?

 

Thanks

Les

[pen2paper]

I don't know Al-Star numbers, but this box is a valid style. Not all are slotted. Is there any other problem besides box style?

[Nameles]

I can't see any obvious issues with the pen, but it's the first time I've ever seen one of these in person so I have nothing to compare it to. It was the box that made me suspicious.

[dylim1]

The Al-Star looks pretty legit from the pictures. Should be a genuine one.

[shawndp]

I have a couple of Orange Al-Stars purchased from different sources and the pics look spot on with the ones I have. If i is not real, I am at a loss to tell the difference.

 

On a side note, you can get real Lamy's from reputable sellers in Europe for around 20 Euro plus shipping and not have to deal with the hassle of guessing fakes. Comes to CAD$ 37 to 40 vs the $60 (53+HST) plus shipping cost the local retailers are selling for.

[Nameles]

Well, the consensus seems to be that it's legit so I've popped in the cartridge and took it for a spin. Seems to work fine so I think I'll just discard the ugly box and enjoy the beautiful pen.

 

Thanks for the reassurance.

 

Incidentally, I also have a converter coming from a different vendor, and some Platinum Carbon Black ink from another. The plan for this pen is to sketch with the Platinum Carbon (waterproof, but safe for fountain pens), then paint over it with watercolours.

 

Thanks again for the opinions.

Les

[Pencilcaseblog]

I'm 99.9% certain that this is a genuine product! Manufacturers often -if not always- send pens in this kind of boxes to the distributors/ retailers (even expensive pens like Pelikan Souveräns get packaged like this). The actual presentation packaging is sent separately. The box you received is just the 'shipping' box, not the 'presentation' box, no need to worry!

Edited March 5, 2016 by Pencilcaseblog

[RMN]

I have one of these and it looks the same. Nib also looks good.

 

It is much more difficult to copy the AlStar instead of the Safari. Injection moulding plastic is easy. Making a Safari body is basically not different from making a plastic bucket.

 

D.ick

[pen2paper]

"Injection moulding plastic is easy. Making a Safari body is basically not different from making a plastic bucket."

my plastic bucket should write so good.. and for 20 years

[RMN]

"Injection moulding plastic is easy. Making a Safari body is basically not different from making a plastic bucket."

my plastic bucket should write so good.. and for 20 years

 

 

Just make a hole in the bucket, dear Liza....

And put in a feed and nib and you can write on for AGES.

just the grip is a bit awkward, I'll grant you that...

 

 

 

D.ick

[dk76]

Bet it forces you to write with you arm(s) though.

[RMN]

Bet it forces you to write with you arm(s) though.

 

Which is actually the proper way to write with a fountainpen. The hand only stabilises the pen, the arm steers it.

 

But the bucket writer (patent possibly pending ) would probably be more a two handed writer... Perhaps the arms to stabilise the bucket writer and use the torso to steer the pen...

 

 

D.ick

[dk76]

Perhaps using the legs to write then?

 

Seeing as how the bucket would be stabilized with the upper body.

[RMN]

Perhaps using the legs to write then?

 

Seeing as how the bucket would be stabilized with the upper body.

 

I like your thinking....

 

 

D.ick