Engraving A Safari Or Al-Star

[max dog]

Has anyone had their Safari or AL-Star engraved? Do they engrave OK? I assume the AL-Star being Aluminum may be easier to engrave than the plastic Safari.

 

I am thinking of gifting someone a Safari or AL-Star and would like to engrave it, maybe on the flat section of the barrel opposite the Lamy logo. Anyone tried that? Any suggestions would be welcome.

 

[ParkerDuofold]

Hello MaxDog,

 

I only have one engraved pen and that one is Levinger TW. I know Pen Chalet also offers engraving, but I've never used the service.

 

I don't see any reason why it couldn't be done, but I'd go with an Al-Star; solely because it's a "cut above" the Safari and I think would make a little better presentation, (it is probably also a little easier to engrave metal, so you'll get sharper, crisper lettering, too).

 

Just my two cents. Best of luck.

 

 

- Anthony

[bogiesan]

I think the anodized finish of the AlStar could flake off around the edges if you are using mechanical burr-style engraver. A skilled hand engraver might avoid that. Laser engraving would not harm the finish but will come out white when performed on anadozied aluminum.

Look in your local yellow pages for engraving services and then make a few phone calls. INvest an afternoon visiting the shops. Engraving is an interesting craft these days, lot of options and techniques.

[max dog]

Hello MaxDog,

 

I only have one engraved pen and that one is Levinger TW. I know Pen Chalet also offers engraving, but I've never used the service.

 

I don't see any reason why it couldn't be done, but I'd go with an Al-Star; solely because it's a "cut above" the Safari and I think would make a little better presentation, (it is probably also a little easier to engrave metal, so you'll get sharper, crisper lettering, too).

 

Just my two cents. Best of luck.

 

 

- Anthony

 

 

I think the anodized finish of the AlStar could flake off around the edges if you are using mechanical burr-style engraver. A skilled hand engraver might avoid that. Laser engraving would not harm the finish but will come out white when performed on anadozied aluminum.

Look in your local yellow pages for engraving services and then make a few phone calls. INvest an afternoon visiting the shops. Engraving is an interesting craft these days, lot of options and techniques.

 

Thank you both for your input. I checked with an engraver, and while they say it is possible to engrave the AL-Star, they don't recommend it because there is a risk the aluminum can bend in spots when engraving. The plastic Safari, on the other hand can be laser engraved, so I opted for that. Only caveat is, engraving plastic, will end up costing more than the pen itself. In my case the color and the look of the Safari is sure to please the recipient, so I am going ahead with it. Going to engrave the name on the flat side of the barrel opposite the Lamy logo with color offset and similar font/script as the Lamy logo. Hopefully it will look cool.

Edited April 22, 2017 by max dog

[ParkerDuofold]

Hi Max Dog,

 

I hope it looks cool, too... it certainly sounds it.

 

I love this place... I always learn something new... I would have bet the metal would have given a sharper "signature." Sorry for leading you down the Primrose Path.

 

- Anthony

Edited April 22, 2017 by ParkerDuofold

[max dog]

Hi Anthony

I am excited to see how the engraving will look. It's two pens, one a white Safari with red engraving and a red safari with white engraving.

[bogiesan]

Maybe you should do some more calling around.

 

https://kustomcaps.com

(See the laser in action at 2:00)

 

Just drop by YouTube and search for "laser engraving anodized". You will see hundreds of (mostly terrible) videos of these machines in action and you can imagine some of the possibilities. Most of these systems work best on flat surfaces but the slightly rounded barrel by the ink window on the AlStar would present no problem. Advanced engravers have computer controlled rotating clamps that allow etching on almost curved surface.

 

So you are having the plastic burned away and then it is being filled with paint? That's something the laser etching on aluminum anodization cannot do, of course, since only a few molecules are destroyed by the beam.

[Wolverine1]

MaxDog- please post pictures when you get the pens back from the engraver. It sure will be interesting to see. Thank you.

[max dog]

Just to close the loop on this thread, back in June the two Safari's came back with the laser engraving completed, and it looks awesome!. I can't post pictures because of the names. The names were engraved on the barrel just like the Lamy logo indented into the plastic with the letters painted offset in red on the white pen, and in white on the red pen, to stand out. The recipients (young early 20's ladies) loved it.

 

So if you want to engrave a Lamy Safari, it is possible, but it could cost up to twice or more than the cost of the pen itself as in my case as it was a custom engraving done by an expert. But, given the Safari are such iconic pens that are so well made to last decades, I think as a memorable gift it can be well worth it when it is meant to be a priceless gift.

Edited September 16, 2017 by max dog

[ParkerDuofold]

That's great to hear, Max,... I would have loved to have seen them, too.

 

You could have covered their last names with "de-tacked" masking tape, but it sounds like it's too late anyways... since both girls loved the pens... they must have them in their possession.

 

At any rate, I'm glad it worked out well for you... and them.

 

 

- Anthony

[max dog]

That's great to hear, Max,... I would have loved to have seen them, too.

 

You could have covered their last names with "de-tacked" masking tape, but it sounds like it's too late anyways... since both girls loved the pens... they must have them in their possession.

 

At any rate, I'm glad it worked out well for you... and them.

 

 

- Anthony

Thanks Anthony

As a cheerful, creative, and fun gift in the form of a fountain pen, the Lamy Safari was the most perfect fountain pen, and the pen shop owner where I got the pen agreed. It's cost also kept it appropriate too.