Lamy al star or safari - which do you prefer?

[Sheesh09]

Before I start I would like to say I'm not asking for a comparison of the 2 pens (e.g. What material are the barrels of the 2 different pens etc). My question is to everyone which of the 2 do you prefer?

 

In my own experience I prefer the al star. I find it has a much nicer weight and feels much more substantial than the safari. I like the feel of the aluminium and the smoke grip section. 

 

Also what are your feelings on the Lamy nibs - my al star fine is lovely and smooth (with both my noodlers heart of darkness and diamine onyx black) whereas my safari fine feels quite dry and a tad scratchy and you have to find the sweet spot for a nice write. Also my friend has an EF which at times writes like a F. 

[OCArt]

Hi, both pens employ the same nib but there is always some manufacturing variation in the units. Take a look at some of the videos on YouTube about pen tuning.

 

Of all the Safari pens I prefer the Lamy Joy as I find it nicer to write with. Obviously not a pen for the pocket though.

[IanP2303]

Tried both, both look aesthetically awesome. The design is absolutely amazing. The tripod grip helps a person who is trying to learn how to write properly and is an awesome choice.
 

The main difference is that the Safari is not as elegant as the AL star. The light reflecting on the barrel and uncapped, but something like this comes at a price, literally. That is basically it, both are great.

[A Smug Dill]

@Sheesh09 That's an easy (and naturally closed) question for me to answer. Logic dictates I must in fact prefer the Al-Star, when the Safari is my least favourite Lamy fountain pen model.  Never mind the why, and how many of which Lamy pens I have, since that's not part of the question and you aren't asking anyone for a comparison of the models (which, one would expect, be a key part of why someone prefer this, that, or neither).

 

3 hours ago, Sheesh09 said:

Also what are your feelings on the Lamy nibs

 

 

29 minutes ago, IanP2303 said:

The main difference is that the Safari is not as elegant as the AL star. The light reflecting on the barrel and uncapped, but something like this comes at a price, literally.

 

[inkstainedruth]

Honestly, it's a toss up.  I have more Safaris (4 of them vs. 2 al-Stars, plus 1 LX), so I guess a slight preference.  But since other than the barrel/cap material they're pretty much interchangeable, it's just a matter of the color for me; especially given that one of the al-Stars I got on clearance, and the LX I got when Lamy's old US distributor had a closeout (so price wasn't really a factor).

If they come out with a color of al-Star I like?  I'd buy another al-Star. If they come out with a color of Safari I like?  It'll be an another Safari.  

And if I don't like any of the SE colors for the next five years?  I will save money and buy some other pen(s) instead.  Plain and simple.  [shrug]

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

 

[jchch1950]

It can be my own pen using history. The Safaris pens have been used for many years, A-S are used a lot less. I prefer the Safari.

[Glenn-SC]

I prefer the Safari as the model’s weight and balance feel better to my hand. 

[PAKMAN]

I have two Safaris and 3 Al-Stars. I haven't really seen any colors of the Safari that I want but can imagine other Al-Stars that I would purchase. I like the depth of color in the Al-Stars better and would have to say that they are my preference. 

[A Smug Dill]

10 hours ago, jchch1950 said:

It can be my own pen using history. The Safaris pens have been used for many years, A-S are used a lot less. I prefer the Safari.

 

Funny you should say that. My pen usage history is that my one-and-only Lamy Safari from years ago has been used — and it always left me ultimately dissatisfied after each stint — but I have three ‘limited edition’ Al-Star pens, all acquired in the past two years, and none of them has ever been inked. I bought the Al-Stars because I like the look of them (and the prices were ‘right’), whereas I even passed on the 2021 LE Terra Red Safari even though orange in general is one of my favourite colours. So, notwithstanding that I've never ‘bothered’ to ink up and use my Al-Stars, I like the Safari a whole lot less than I do them; ergo, I prefer the Al-Star.

 

[Runnin_Ute]

Only have the Al Star. But I do have two. One was my first fountain pen back in 1998. It's in a finish (raw aluminum) that was discontinued in 2013. I still have and use the converter I got for it when I bought it. It doesn't get the use it once did. From 1998 to 2012 my only pens were it and a Waterman Phileas, so it got quite a bit of use. It's been months since either it or the Al Star Pacific got used. 

 

Have yet to buy a Safari. 

[bonnie-scott]

I'm not sure I would describe it as a preference.  I use my Lamy Safari's much more than my Al-Stars, but this is simply down to them being work pens and Safari's wear better.  Al-Stars show scratches and marks much more than the Safari's.

 

As a writing experience I don't think there is much difference as you would expect with the same nib model and feed.  There is lots of discussion on the forum about how pens feel in the hand, I must admit I don't tend to notice unless a pen is quite heavy I was given a Dialog 2 as a present and I find that it is probably on the heavy side for me.  

 

My favourite, as another poster said is the Lamy Joy, but that was because it was my 'gateway' to fountain pens which started with doing calligraphy in school because I can't paint for toffee 🙂  And it's been downhill from there 🤣

 

 

 

[Astronymus]

Judging by the optics (just love anodized metal) and the feel I prefer the AL-Star. Those are my "good" pens.

For work and, rough surroundings and vacation I use the Safaris.

[Audrey T]

On 1/18/2022 at 9:42 AM, A Smug Dill said:

 

Funny you should say that. My pen usage history is that my one-and-only Lamy Safari from years ago has been used — and it always left me ultimately dissatisfied after each stint — but I have three ‘limited edition’ Al-Star pens, all acquired in the past two years, and none of them has ever been inked. I bought the Al-Stars because I like the look of them (and the prices were ‘right’), whereas I even passed on the 2021 LE Terra Red Safari even though orange in general is one of my favourite colours. So, notwithstanding that I've never ‘bothered’ to ink up and use my Al-Stars, I like the Safari a whole lot less than I do them; ergo, I prefer the Al-Star.

 

This is funny!

[Audrey T]

42 minutes ago, Astronymus said:

Judging by the optics (just love anodized metal) and the feel I prefer the AL-Star. Those are my "good" pens.

For work and, rough surroundings and vacation I use the Safaris.

I feel similarly -- except that I am probably too messy to take FPs even into the desert.

[Black Spot]

Safari.

The all star gets dings scratches and the color wears off leaving it looking beat up.

The Aluminium feels cold in the fall and winter and hot in the summer then you sweat all over the slick pen and now its all warm and slippery.

The safari gets character with age, and it tends not to absorb heat or cold because its plastic. 

All the cool kids use the safari. Now where is my lunch box ?

[Catpaws]

Well, of the two I prefer the Al Star because my Safari is slippery.  And if I am being honest I prefer the Vista of the three. 

[Waltz For Zizi]

I like the Safari better. I Have 7 of each. I find that the Al gets dirty (the metal I mean) easier since aluminum is a "porous" metal.

[david-p]

I actually prefer the look of the safari pens that I have over the shiny metallic look of the Al-stars. In use, the Al-stars feel cold to the touch and their slightly greater mass makes me conscious of having a pen in my hand. The safari actually is more comfortable to write with.

 

David

[austollie]

I have a divided opinion about the topic.  I prefer the look of the Al-star, but I find the Safari more durable- much more durable.  I'm not rough on my pens, but I don't treat them like museum pieces either.  I've had two Al-stars and both have accumulated various unsightly dings and one has a scratch (from when it got stuck in my desk drawer, when I opened it).  I won't be buying any more Al-stars.  The aluminium of the Al-star is just too thin to resist the forces that occur in everyday use.  In my view, Lamy would do well to increase the gauge of aluminium tubing used or to switch to a stronger alloy.  My stainless steel Parker 25, which I've had in regular use for more than 30 years (that I take it with me to construction sites), has no dings (nor deep scratches) at all.

 

I have 10 or so Safaris and I use several of these regularly.  All of these look almost new.  I will continue to add to my Safari collection for as long as it is released in colours that appeal to me.

[namrehsnoom]

My personal preference: Lamy Safari - no question about it. I definitely prefer the grip section being the same colour/material as the rest of the pen… I just think it looks better that way.  Otherwise it’s a toss-up for me.