Purple Safari In 2016... Finally

[fountainpenlady]

 

Ach, I caved and ordered one with a medium nib from Pean Heaven (£13.90 inc shipping) - I have other Safaris and the full range of nibs, so I can swap them around as I please.

 

The thing is, I really want to start using the dark lilac ink, but it just wouldn't be right for the first pen I ink up with it to not be the Dark Lilac Safari!

 

Alan

So relieved I am not the only one who caved. Like I need another fountain pen. Like I was prepared to return to a Lamy again. Yet, the color purple, that deep rich color purple; a black clip and nib; matte finish.... I can swap out the nib of one of my former Lamy Safari nibs, which is nicely broken in to my liking of an extra fine point from when I formally used Lamys routinely and I will be ready. I'll simply have to find a place to put this new one in rotation. I just could not resist either. I exclusively use extra fine nibs, so other than loving the feel of the nib I have already broken in and swapping the new one out, I think I am going to enjoy this new special edition. Diamine Imperial Purple, if interested is a wonderfully rich color ink which I am anticipating looking wonderful coming out of the nib of this Dark Lilac Safari.

Edited April 29, 2016 by fountainpenlady

[fountainpenlady]

I finally wound up getting one from Vanness pens.image.jpg

[AlanO]

So relieved I am not the only one who caved. Like I need another fountain pen. Like I was prepared to return to a Lamy again. Yet, the color purple, that deep rich color purple; a black clip and nib; matte finish.... I can swap out the nib of one of my former Lamy Safari nibs, which is nicely broken in to my liking of an extra fine point from when I formally used Lamys routinely and I will be ready. I'll simply have to find a place to put this new one in rotation. I just could not resist either. I exclusively use extra fine nibs, so other than loving the feel of the nib I have already broken in and swapping the new one out, I think I am going to enjoy this new special edition. Diamine Imperial Purple, if interested is a wonderfully rich color ink which I am anticipating looking wonderful coming out of the nib of this Dark Lilac Safari.

 

Mine arrived today, and it really is a very nice colour - the match between pen colour and ink colour is surprisingly close. And this is my first black Lamy nib - it looks superb!

 

The ink seems to be quite wet in the Safari, and with a medium nib it flows quite a bit more freely than Lamy cartridge blue, which surprises me because Lamy blue cartridges have made me feel that Lamy inks are on the dry side. I've swapped out for a fine nib, and even with that it's quite free flowing - I must try my extra fine nib too (when I find it - it's on one of these pens somewhere )

 

As for purple inks, yes, I've also come to love them of late. I really like Diamine Imperial Purple too (though I only have a sample - I'll get a bottle when that's gone). My favourite purples right now are Mont Blanc Lavender Purple, and the KWZ IG Violets and IG Gummiberry - but Lamy Dark Lilac is seriously fighting for the top spot!

 

Alan

[inkstainedruth]

Mine is officially in the mail. Ordered one with an F nib, and a sample of the Dark Lilac ink, from Goulet Pens [usual disclaimers, yadda yadda] a couple of days ago. Last check of the tracking # is that the package has been accepted at the Ashland, VA post office.

The special notice email went out on Tuesday -- by midday Wednesday they were out of both full bottles and cartridges of the Dark Lilac ink. Fortunately, at that point they weren't out of ink samples.

The regular weekly Goulet Communiqué made it sound as if there was a piranha feeding frenzy over the last couple of days.... They were slammed to the level of epic proportions.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[fountainpenlady]

Mine is officially in the mail. Ordered one with an F nib, and a sample of the Dark Lilac ink, from Goulet Pens [usual disclaimers, yadda yadda] a couple of days ago. Last check of the tracking # is that the package has been accepted at the Ashland, VA post office.

The special notice email went out on Tuesday -- by midday Wednesday they were out of both full bottles and cartridges of the Dark Lilac ink. Fortunately, at that point they weren't out of ink samples.

The regular weekly Goulet Communiqué made it sound as if there was a piranha feeding frenzy over the last couple of days.... They were slammed to the level of epic proportions.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

You know I am smiling as I read this right? Only we would be so similar. I also check tracking far too much till it has been delivered. Also, ordered pen from Goulet. I thought about the dark lilac ink, but have several Iroshizuku, Diamine Imperial Purple and opted for another sample of Diamine Purple Pizzazz. Bet Goulet Pen Company has been very busy. They sent out emails to everyone saying it is here and like pen people we responded. Mine should arrive tomorrow Saturday. Hope yours come to you really soon too.

[inkstainedruth]

I think I should be getting mine Saturday -- the package has made it to the regional sort facility, according to the USPS tracking email I got a little while ago. So I suspect that it will be out for delivery tomorrow morning.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Plumdragon]

I got mine today. It's GORGEOUS. I stuck De Atramentis 'Dragon' in it, it's almost a perfect match to the color. Love the look and feel of this, I've got the Al-Star Lamy's otherwise. This is about to be my fav pen I think...

[cleosmama]

I got mine yesterday with the Dark Lilac ink. I really love the color of the ink--it's been pretty wet, too, as I use it. I have a fine nib on mine.

[snowbear]

I ordered it a couple of hours ago, with the medium nib.

[fountainpenlady]

I got mine today. It's GORGEOUS. I stuck De Atramentis 'Dragon' in it, it's almost a perfect match to the color. Love the look and feel of this, I've got the Al-Star Lamy's otherwise. This is about to be my fav pen I think...

Mine arrived early, received today, instead of Monday. Same for Diamine Imperial Purple. Perfect color to match. What I love is the smoothness of the nib and the matte finish is perfect. I only write with extra fine nibs, but they all seem to have their own feel when it comes to writing with them. I am going to enjoy this one much.

[fountainpenlady]

I got mine yesterday with the Dark Lilac ink. I really love the color of the ink--it's been pretty wet, too, as I use it. I have a fine nib on mine.

Ordered separately sample of the lamb ink just to see how it feels. I am partial now to Diamine Imperial ink because I find it dry. Also, it is the only ink now which seems to flow easily and yet not to wet through my Ogiva pen. Other inks are too wet.

[inkstainedruth]

Mine came today, while I was out for a drive. The black nib and clip was a really smart move on Lamy's part -- a silver tone clip would have looked really cheap; they hit the ball out of the park on this one. I had thought that if I was gonna break down and finally buy a Safari, I would get a pink one (not one of the Coral ones -- the actual pink ones); but every one I looked out last summer just seemed so cheap looking. But the purple and black combination is a winner. Actually, the color in general is a winner -- I had considered getting one of the purple Al-Stars, but really like this shade of purple MUCH better....

I do have a few questions, however (not having owned a Safari before):

1) Are they normally this lightweight? Okay, the pen itself is kinda cheesy looking/feeling other than the color (which is awesome). My only prior experience was picking up one about 3 or so years ago, saying "Oh, I don' think I would like this grip" and not really thinking beyond that until seeing what the Dark Lilac was going took like. That, and having a metal bodied Jinhao 599....

2) Are the ink "windows" supposed to be actual spaces? I had assumed (from other pens that have ink windows) that they would be some sort of clear or translucent material -- as opposed to actual holes in the barrel: stuck my letter opener through (just to be sure) -- and yup, they're holes....

3) Since I literally just opened the package about ten minutes ago , I was wondering if anyone could tell me what color the ink cartridge that comes with the pen is?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Scrap that last question -- I just held the cartridge up to the light.... and it's definitely purple (er, Dark Lilac) in there....

Edited May 1, 2016 by inkstainedruth

[fountainpenlady]

Mine came today, while I was out for a drive. The black nib and clip was a really smart move on Lamy's part -- a silver tone clip would have looked really cheap; they hit the ball out of the park on this one. I had thought that if I was gonna break down and finally buy a Safari, I would get a pink one (not one of the Coral ones -- the actual pink ones); but every one I looked out last summer just seemed so cheap looking. But the purple and black combination is a winner. Actually, the color in general is a winner -- I had considered getting one of the purple Al-Stars, but really like this shade of purple MUCH better....

I do have a few questions, however (not having owned a Safari before):

1) Are they normally this lightweight? Okay, the pen itself is kinda cheesy looking/feeling other than the color (which is awesome). My only prior experience was picking up one about 3 or so years ago, saying "Oh, I don' think I would like this grip" and not really thinking beyond that until seeing what the Dark Lilac was going took like. That, and having a metal bodied Jinhao 599....

2) Are the ink "windows" supposed to be actual spaces? I had assumed (from other pens that have ink windows) that they would be some sort of clear or translucent material -- as opposed to actual holes in the barrel: stuck my letter opener through (just to be sure) -- and yup, they're holes....

3) Since I literally just opened the package about ten minutes ago , I was wondering if anyone could tell me what color the ink cartridge that comes with the pen is?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Scrap that last question -- I just held the cartridge up to the light.... and it's definitely purple (er, Dark Lilac) in there....

Yes, same here with having wanted the pink one. I just never got around to ordering it. Decided I did not want one after all. This is actually my second or third time around with Lamy fountain pens. There was a young lady years ago (biffybean), whose blog I used to subscribed to who swore by Lamy fountain pens. She had an entire collection. One time, I broke down and purchase a few, a couple of them special editions. All with the same nib width of extra fine and they all write differently in spite of their having the same nib width. In answering your question, yes, they all are light weight. A couple do have a translucent section, along with the notches for window. Believe the black Lamy, which was a special or limited, but now part of the regular collection has a translucent lower section. I agree with you and other than my other light blue with red clip, this is my new favorite. The Diamine Imperial Purple is the exact same color of this edition.

I also thought of buying a purple Al-Star. Something about that particular version of aluminum turns me off. Also, the slick ones have been retired from active rotation. Guess you have to find your personal niche, in terms of which version catches your fancy. However, this one coincides with my new love and enjoyment of using purple inks, along with my longstanding love of reds. I think as opposed to using inks with some pens which are not remotely same as the fountain pen being used, my ink perfectly matches this pen. (Diamine Imperial Purple) I've included a picture of the black one I spoke of so you can see the translucent section. Enjoy.

P.S. Broke down and also ordered separately two samples of the dark lilac ink, should come some time next week. I want to see how differently it is from the inks I already own.

[migla9]

Yes, the Safari ink windows are large and wide open. However, Aziza at GourmetPens had a blog post last week about converting a Vista (clear Safari) into an eyedropper by switching barrels with a Lamy rollerball after plugging a small hole:

 

http://www.gourmetpens.com/2016/04/lamy-vista-fountain-pen-eyedropper.html#.VyWDX-Yg7oI

 

As for the weight, I only have a fluorescent Safari I received a few years ago, so I can't compare. I have seen a few comments here on FPN that the dark lilac Safari may be lighter in weight than previous Safaris (different material or less plastic).

[Misfit]

Mine arrived today along with a bottle of the matching ink. Filled it immediately. I like the shade of ink, but I'll be changing the M nib I got with an italic 1.5mm.

[dcwaites]

Mine came today, while I was out for a drive. The black nib and clip was a really smart move on Lamy's part -- a silver tone clip would have looked really cheap; they hit the ball out of the park on this one. I had thought that if I was gonna break down and finally buy a Safari, I would get a pink one (not one of the Coral ones -- the actual pink ones); but every one I looked out last summer just seemed so cheap looking. But the purple and black combination is a winner. Actually, the color in general is a winner -- I had considered getting one of the purple Al-Stars, but really like this shade of purple MUCH better....

I do have a few questions, however (not having owned a Safari before):

1) Are they normally this lightweight? Okay, the pen itself is kinda cheesy looking/feeling other than the color (which is awesome). My only prior experience was picking up one about 3 or so years ago, saying "Oh, I don' think I would like this grip" and not really thinking beyond that until seeing what the Dark Lilac was going took like. That, and having a metal bodied Jinhao 599....

2) Are the ink "windows" supposed to be actual spaces? I had assumed (from other pens that have ink windows) that they would be some sort of clear or translucent material -- as opposed to actual holes in the barrel: stuck my letter opener through (just to be sure) -- and yup, they're holes....

3) Since I literally just opened the package about ten minutes ago , I was wondering if anyone could tell me what color the ink cartridge that comes with the pen is?

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

ETA: Scrap that last question -- I just held the cartridge up to the light.... and it's definitely purple (er, Dark Lilac) in there....

 

1) Yes they are a light pen. You might want to look at the Al-Star's, the aluminium bodied version. Also, whoever does the anodising does a brilliant job. You have to see them in your hand. Photos don't do them justice. The Dark Plum is a beautiful pen.

 

http://www.lamy.com/produktdaten/content/e34/e38/e2605/LAMY_029_LAMY_AL-star_black_purple_FH_eng.png

 

2) Yes, the ink windows are real holes into the soul of the Safari/Vista/Al-Star.

[Richard L]

I got mine on Saturday. (Really fast shipping!). Looks great! Very lightweight, which I like. It's an EF. It seemed to write a bit too dry with the included blue cartridge. Maybe it just needs breaking in, but anyhow I put in a converter and PR American Blue. Now it is practically perfect. Later on, I may try the Lamy Dark Lilac ink.

[fountainpenlady]

I got mine on Saturday. (Really fast shipping!). Looks great! Very lightweight, which I like. It's an EF. It seemed to write a bit too dry with the included blue cartridge. Maybe it just needs breaking in, but anyhow I put in a converter and PR American Blue. Now it is practically perfect. Later on, I may try the Lamy Dark Lilac ink.

It might have been the lamy ink included. I did not use the cartridge. Although, I have a tiny collection of them since they can be refilled. I anticipate filling one with ink when I would like a little more ink than the cartridge provides. I also use EF. What surprised me is how smooth the nib is on this one compared to others. I went as far as to do my own nib work on at least one of two of my others in order to get that just right EF line. Formally, I was not perfectly off into the black nibs. Yet, this one seems so smooth and so perfectly EF, I am enjoying writing with it already.

[inkstainedruth]

Well, it turns out I was wrong about the ink in the cartridge. Sigh. It's blue. It does seem to be well behaved an ink, but it's sort of, well, boring. A nice color, a little bit of shading, some water resistance, but no oomph to it. No je ne said quoi (well, Safaris were designed to be school pens, I guess, so it's a probably ink good for that purpose; either that or I've been spoiled by really glamorous inks...). While I haven't done a side by side comparison, it reminds me of J Herbin Eclat de Saphir, only a bit flatter (possibly because it's a moderately dry ink). I'll use up the cartridge, flush the pen and then put something more interesting in it... iike the sample of Dark Lilac I bought. I will probably hang on to the cartridge as a backup, in case I'm going somewhere that I expect to be doing a LOT of writing and forget to have a spare bottle or sample vial with me -- I'll refill with whatever ink I'm going to be using, and stop up the hole with 100% silicone caulk, the way I used to do with the Parker cartridges.

OTOH, the pen, while on the light side, is a nice size. I'm not having any issues with the grip (I was afraid I'd have to do something to smooth down the edges -- I had tried holding an al-Star at a pen show last year and those triangular grip edges were SHARP). And the F nib is very smooth (albeit a nail). This won't ever become my favorite pen -- I'm too much of a sucker for vintage ones at this point. And it's the only Safari that didn't make me think "industrial design for the sake of industrial design" (especially with a clip looking like a paper clip, but the black clip is less obtrusively so). But it's not bad. And the color is really awesome.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[pen2paper]

Arriving home this evening from out of town weekend was delighted to find my Dark Lilac in the mail.

 

Safari always, in my experience, comes with a blue cartridge.

I installed the separate purple cartridge that I ordered.

 

The standard black medium was gold nib smooth! Right out of the box = very pleased.

 

We waited a Long time for Lamy to deliver a purple to the not-quite-yet a rainbow. This dark purple does not disappoint. Plus textured ABS + black nib & clip it's a handsome pen I expect to be as reliable as each my several other Safari's.

Not, BTW, a great fan of purple. This dark purple is the exception.

Edited May 2, 2016 by pen2paper