A beginner's/student's review of the Lamy Safari

[lishalee]

Lamy Safari, White, EF Nib

 

My neighbourhood pen shop, Pen and Paper was having a 20% sale on all stock for the month of May so I took the opportunity to get my first ever fountain pen. I've been reading about pens for weeks on FPN and decided to join the Fountain Pen Converts Club.

 

I've used gel pens all my life, but ever since I've come to Australia (3 years ago), I've been using ballpoints because I can't find or run out of refills for my gel pens. In this review, I will compare the Safari to pens I used to use, namely, the Staedtler Triplus fineliner 0.3mm, Pilot G1 0.5mm, Pilot G-Tec-C4 0.4mm (more like 0.1mm to me), and a ballpoint I use for class that I got free at a networking event.

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/6ozer5.jpg

Top to bottom:

Staedtler Triplus fineliner

Pilot G1

Lamy Safari

Free ballpoint

Pilot G-Tec

 

First Impressions

 

Being a student, I am perpetually on a tight budget, and the only pens in the shop under $50 (after discount, I mean) were the Lamy Safari and Pelikano. They had the Safari in 3 primary colours, charcoal, white, shiny black and Vista (and the LE orange, which the shopkeeper said was selling very well). When I first saw it in real life, I couldn't get over the fact of how funny-looking it was, and decided on the least eye-hurting colour, white.

 

Appearance & Design

 

I was concerned about the thickness of the pen because I have fairly small hands, but my hand fell in love with the grip and any issues I used to have about thick pens disappeared. The pen has 2 windows to show the cartidge or converter and a giant honking clip that I will never use. I notice that lint tends to stick under the clip which becomes quite noticeable as my pen is white.

 

Weight & Dimensions

 

Fairly light. Approximately the same length and weight as my other pens, so no issues for me.

 

Nib & Filling System

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/izq0t4.jpg

 

The shopkeeper fitted my pen with an EF nib. This took a bit of getting used to because my lab notebook has 0.5cm grids, so my handwriting has adjusted to be small. I tried out the pen in the shop with the supplied blue cartridge. Maybe it was their expensive paper, but writing was smooth as silk. When I took it home, I found that the blue was much too watery for my tastes. I also experience some skipping on upstrokes, but it's gone now.

 

Unsatisfied with the blue, I went back to get a converter and Noodler's Black. I popped out the cartridge, put some plastic wrap over the top and secured it with a rubber band. It's now standing upright on my desk with the help of some Blu-Tack. My first experience with the converter was uneventful. It holds about 1ml, less than the cartridge.

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/oumlmw.jpg

Note: The writing of the Pilot G1 is not true, as the nib is scratchy for some mysterious reason.

 

The paper is Japanese (I don't know what brand). Please ignore the crappy cursive - I've never written with cursive until I bought the Safari. If I wrote the letters using the Lamy as small as the ones for the Pilot pens, my writing becomes illegible. I could write forever and ever with the Safari, whereas with the ballpoint, my fingers cramp up. With the Pilot pens, extended writing sessions (<1 hour) causes the ink and weird gel thing in the refill to move downwards unevenly, so ink flow gets funny while approaching the end of the refill. The Staedtler fineliner is way too thin to write with.

 

Cost & Value

 

The pen retails for AUD$55, converter is AUD$9.50 (=USD$44 and USD$7.5). I feel sort of ripped off, even after the 20% off. I know it's cheaper to buy online, but I didn't want to risk buying a pen I haven't held in my hands before. But writing is a dream now. Also, I think my white pen looks really cool, especially with the black nib and black ink. Would I get another one? Maybe. If I did, I wouldn't buy it in Australia.

 

Conclusion

 

I know there are many reviews that compare similar fountain pens, but as a n00b, I prefer to write about my new experience as a first time user and how the Lamy Safari has changed my writing. What I like most about this pen is that modern design - being a student, I don't want a giant gold Mont Blanc sticking out of my pocket. What I didn't like about this pen: the supplied ink cartridge - not a nice colour, but then again I hate most blues.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

[pen2paper]

Thanks for the excellent review!

Having lost my workhorse medium Safari, I've been writing with 'whatever' bp gp is in the communal supply box at work..my handwriting looks awful.

However, that medium nib was too big to fill in my daily reports, so was considering the finepoint.. after seeing your review, may well seek the EF.. I miss being able to set my pen down during a distraction, return, and find it start up perfectly.

[jar]

Nice review. As you wander around keep your eyes open for other bargain fountain pens and also see if there is a club or gathering in your area.

[jandrese]

Nice first review. You have started down a slippery slope! Perhaps it is good for you that prices are high down under. Seriously though, enjoy, it won't be your last fountain pen. FYI, Noodler's Black is perfect for lab notebooks as it will never wash out.

[MYU]

lishalee! And off to a great start with a very nice and useful pen review (I especially like the comparative writing samples).

[someonesdad]

Welcome! $50 is a lot for a student to pay for a pen. If you really like it, then lose it, you're going to be pretty upset.

 

Consider getting some cheap Hero pens. They can be purchased for a few dollars each and write quite well for the money. Quality is more variable, so you may have to buy a few. But lots of money is left over for the festering ink addiction...

[I am not a number]

That's a very refreshing review that represents a lot of effort! Thanks for posting it, well done and welcome to active membership of the FPN.

[lishalee]

Thanks everyone!

[Kabe]

I know I've long complained about the Lamys clip, biut I must confess: I bougth one too, yesterday. There are so few FPs in my town, I'll buy almost anyone. Writes well, M nib, Charcoal Safari. Very very comfortable to use. Very sturdy too. A good buy, but expensive: 500 pesos, about 38 dollars

[ebargoum]

Welcome! $50 is a lot for a student to pay for a pen. If you really like it, then lose it, you're going to be pretty upset.

 

Consider getting some cheap Hero pens. They can be purchased for a few dollars each and write quite well for the money. Quality is more variable, so you may have to buy a few. But lots of money is left over for the festering ink addiction...

 

The alternative is to buy niceish pens, and not lose them. (That's my preferred option.)

[Garfield]

Lamy Safari, White, EF Nib

 

My neighbourhood pen shop, Pen and Paper was having a 20% sale on all stock for the month of May so I took the opportunity to get my first ever fountain pen. I've been reading about pens for weeks on FPN and decided to join the Fountain Pen Converts Club.

 

I've used gel pens all my life, but ever since I've come to Australia (3 years ago), I've been using ballpoints because I can't find or run out of refills for my gel pens. In this review, I will compare the Safari to pens I used to use, namely, the Staedtler Triplus fineliner 0.3mm, Pilot G1 0.5mm, Pilot G-Tec-C4 0.4mm (more like 0.1mm to me), and a ballpoint I use for class that I got free at a networking event.

 

http://i39.tinypic.com/6ozer5.jpg

Top to bottom:

Staedtler Triplus fineliner

Pilot G1

Lamy Safari

Free ballpoint

Pilot G-Tec

 

First Impressions

 

Being a student, I am perpetually on a tight budget, and the only pens in the shop under $50 (after discount, I mean) were the Lamy Safari and Pelikano. They had the Safari in 3 primary colours, charcoal, white, shiny black and Vista (and the LE orange, which the shopkeeper said was selling very well). When I first saw it in real life, I couldn't get over the fact of how funny-looking it was, and decided on the least eye-hurting colour, white.

 

Appearance & Design

 

I was concerned about the thickness of the pen because I have fairly small hands, but my hand fell in love with the grip and any issues I used to have about thick pens disappeared. The pen has 2 windows to show the cartidge or converter and a giant honking clip that I will never use. I notice that lint tends to stick under the clip which becomes quite noticeable as my pen is white.

 

Weight & Dimensions

 

Fairly light. Approximately the same length and weight as my other pens, so no issues for me.

 

Nib & Filling System

 

http://i43.tinypic.com/izq0t4.jpg

 

The shopkeeper fitted my pen with an EF nib. This took a bit of getting used to because my lab notebook has 0.5cm grids, so my handwriting has adjusted to be small. I tried out the pen in the shop with the supplied blue cartridge. Maybe it was their expensive paper, but writing was smooth as silk. When I took it home, I found that the blue was much too watery for my tastes. I also experience some skipping on upstrokes, but it's gone now.

 

Unsatisfied with the blue, I went back to get a converter and Noodler's Black. I popped out the cartridge, put some plastic wrap over the top and secured it with a rubber band. It's now standing upright on my desk with the help of some Blu-Tack. My first experience with the converter was uneventful. It holds about 1ml, less than the cartridge.

 

http://i44.tinypic.com/oumlmw.jpg

Note: The writing of the Pilot G1 is not true, as the nib is scratchy for some mysterious reason.

 

The paper is Japanese (I don't know what brand). Please ignore the crappy cursive - I've never written with cursive until I bought the Safari. If I wrote the letters using the Lamy as small as the ones for the Pilot pens, my writing becomes illegible. I could write forever and ever with the Safari, whereas with the ballpoint, my fingers cramp up. With the Pilot pens, extended writing sessions (<1 hour) causes the ink and weird gel thing in the refill to move downwards unevenly, so ink flow gets funny while approaching the end of the refill. The Staedtler fineliner is way too thin to write with.

 

Cost & Value

 

The pen retails for AUD$55, converter is AUD$9.50 (=USD$44 and USD$7.5). I feel sort of ripped off, even after the 20% off. I know it's cheaper to buy online, but I didn't want to risk buying a pen I haven't held in my hands before. But writing is a dream now. Also, I think my white pen looks really cool, especially with the black nib and black ink. Would I get another one? Maybe. If I did, I wouldn't buy it in Australia.

 

Conclusion

 

I know there are many reviews that compare similar fountain pens, but as a n00b, I prefer to write about my new experience as a first time user and how the Lamy Safari has changed my writing. What I like most about this pen is that modern design - being a student, I don't want a giant gold Mont Blanc sticking out of my pocket. What I didn't like about this pen: the supplied ink cartridge - not a nice colour, but then again I hate most blues.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Interesting review, thanks! I have a few Safaris/al-stars and I love them.

[r1chard]

Nice review!

 

Anyone know where to buy white safari that is not that expensive?

[FaustianSlip]

Nice review! I have a yellow Safari and like it a lot; I've brought it to work a couple of times, and I don't worry too much about having it there, because the clip is really secure, so I can be pretty sure it's not going to fall out of my pocket or anything. Looking at your pen, I really, really like the plain white. I'm partial to the orange, as well, but I think a white Safari may be my next buy. They're nice little workhorses, and the price is right. At some point, I wouldn't mind getting a Lamy 2000, as well.

[Pfhorrest]

I wish I had a white Safari. Can't seem to find them..

 

Great review.

[lovemy51]

I wish I had a white Safari. Can't seem to find them..

 

Great review.

http://isellpens.com/lamy.html (no affiliation)

[andy1m]

You have done a great review. I have been looking for an EF Safari or Vista but haven't found one yet. Looked like it's a great pen.

[inkcoffee]

I bought mine at Pencity.com recently, they only have M nibbed ones though.

[r1chard]

I wish I had a white Safari. Can't seem to find them..

 

Great review.

http://isellpens.com/lamy.html (no affiliation)

 

i'm thinking if getting also an aluminum or graphite. which one do you guys think looks better?

kinna hard to figure out from the internet photos. color intensity changes with lighting used in the photographs.

 

thanks..

[shadowsforbars]

I took the opportunity to get my first ever fountain pen"

 

You have chosen the right tool for the job. Come exam time, your classmates will be complaining of cramp in their hands while yours will be compartively stress free.

 

Thanks for an interesting review and good luck with your studies.

 

PS I hope you will review any future purchases, I enjoy your writing.

[cpsantillan]

Nice review,and by the way the white color of the pen is awesome,,lamy safari IMHO is the best school fountain pen ever!!...