Is This Lamy Al-Star A Counterfeit?

[acsc100]

I bought a black Lamy Al-Star from amazon earlier this week. It was only $16, so I have been concerned that it might be fake.

 

It looks good to me. What do others think?

 

Thanks,

Alister

Edited July 24, 2020 by acsc100

[Mr.Rene]

It is ok

[dennis_f]

It looks real to me... but one of the tell-tale signs is whether or not a Lamy convertor will fit. If it does, odds are this is legitimate.

[Olya]

That is a price you can easily find them for in Germany, so it's not really outrageously cheap and certainly within the realm of possibility for a UK seller to offer it for so little, esp an online retailer or a physical shop that wants to get rid of their stock.

[Estycollector]

I got my 2017 Pacific Blue last year for $17. Now they are near $40. I suspected the vendor just wanted to rid themselves of old stock and lowered the price. Congrats on getting a black stainless F nib. Those can cost $14.

[Black Spot]

looks ok to me.

[jchch1950]

acsc100 : beside the price is any other thing that make you think is a fake?

[Astronymus]

Looks genuine.

[bogiesan]

If you just bought your pens from reputable dealers at slightly higher prices, you would not be concerned about its legitimacy in the slightest and you'd be contributing something to the pen community's economy.

[acsc100]

Thanks for all your comments.

 

jchch1950: it was mainly the price, although the etching on the logo looked more shallow than what I have seen elsewhere.

 

bogiesan: fair point. Ish. I am willing to support a whole variety of people who are trying to make a living. But rest assured that I typically do as you suggest here. Indeed, one of the reasons I bought the cheap pen on amazon was because I thought it might be a counterfeit, and thought I'd learn a thing or two by examining it. No such luck.

 

dennis_f: Lamy converters fitted perfectly. Thanks.

 

Thanks again,

Alister

[PAKMAN]

Sounds good then! Congrats!

[TitoThePencilPimp]

How do you like your Lamy? I skipped the "starter pens" and went straight for a Pelikan M200 Green Marble and Pelikan m600 Blue GT for my first fountain pens. The only other pens I have near the price point of the Lamy is a Kaweco Sport and two Esterbrook J's. These are excellent pens. I wanted to get the Pokemon Lamy but its $200. I may impulse buy it, but I still have a bit of common sense.

 

Are you happy with your purchase? What seller did you buy it for $18?

[Estycollector]

What's a starter pen?

[TitoThePencilPimp]

What's a starter pen?

 

it is a term used to denote a pen that can be considered inexpensive by the majority of users here. Whose function is to introduce a person into the world of fountain pens. Ie., someone who wants to see if fountain pens are for them, but does not want to invest in some of the more expensive models, and potentially be left with an unused object once the novelty runs out.

 

Im not sure if your reply was tongue in cheek or a serious question...

[Estycollector]

 

it is a term used to denote a pen that can be considered inexpensive by the majority of users here. Whose function is to introduce a person into the world of fountain pens. Ie., someone who wants to see if fountain pens are for them, but does not want to invest in some of the more expensive models, and potentially be left with an unused object once the novelty runs out.

 

Im not sure if your reply was tongue in cheek or a serious question...

It was serious because my first thought was that saying any pen, unless its a child specific Pelikan or Lamy, is a starter pen just sounded strange. After some experience with a Lamy Al Star and based on reading many posts, I consider the pen here in question to represent second to none from the standpoint of design, function, and durability (especially when a converter in employed).

 

And, I do not see why an excellent writing instrument that just happens to cost $20 is considered less than the one you said you own.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

It was serious because my first thought was that saying any pen, unless its a child specific Pelikan or Lamy, is a starter pen just sounded strange. After some experience with a Lamy Al Star and based on reading many posts, I consider the pen here in question to represent second to none from the standpoint of design, function, and durability (especially when a converter in employed).

 

And, I do not see why an excellent writing instrument that just happens to cost $20 is considered less than the one you said you own.

 

I never said it was less quality. I cannot make such a claim, since I do not even own a Lamy. I said it was less of an investment from a financial point of view. I have mentioned many times on this forum that I enjoy my Esterbrook J that I got for under $30 more than the majority of my other pens. Let alone the nib on Perkeo, which writes like the steel nibs of a Pelikan M200.

Edited July 26, 2020 by TitoThePencilPimp

[Estycollector]

 

I never said it was less quality. I cannot make such a claim, since I do not even own a Lamy. I said it was less of an investment from a financial point of view. I have mentioned many times on this forum that I enjoy my Esterbrook J that I got for under $30 more than the majority of my other pens. Let alone the nib on Perkeo, which writes like the steel nibs of a Pelikan M200.

Sure I understand. It just sounded like some skill was required to use the one youi chose.

 

Recently I began to consider the function over form philosophy of the Lamy Al Star and quickly realized that for day to day use and asthetics, there were few rivals at any price point.

Edited July 26, 2020 by Estycollector

[TitoThePencilPimp]

Sure I understand. It just sounded like some skill was required to use the one youi chose.

 

Recently I began to consider the function over form philosophy of the Lamy Al Star and quickly realized that for day to day use and asthetics, there were few rivals at any price point.

 

You are reaching at this point... No mention of skill whatsoever in my post. I hope in the future you read post a tad more carefully or send a member a pm to clarify...

[Estycollector]

 

You are reaching at this point... No mention of skill whatsoever in my post. I hope in the future you read post a tad more carefully or send a member a pm to clarify...

I took you quite literallly and my reading comprehension is not a factor.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

I took you quite literallly and my reading comprehension is not a factor.

If you took me literally, then we would not be having this conversation...