My Lamy Joy 1.5 mm initial review

[tommym]

Let me preface this by saying that my family has been using Montblanc Meisterstücks since the 1950s, and that is pretty much all we use for our daily writing, Christmas cards, etc. Due to the cost of these pens, when I do consider a different nib, I first buy a cheap pen with a nib that is close to what I am looking for. Thus, I recently purchased a Lamy Joy 1.5 mm to see if this would be something that I would like to pursue with my next Montblanc. I am assuming the Montblanc nib would end up being a custom nib/custom grind. In any case, the Lamy Joy 1.5 arrived yesterday, and this are my initial thoughts:

 

1. The Lamy Joy 1.5 mm nib is exactly what I was looking for. It writes smoothly out of the box and the Lamy supplied blue ink cartridge that comes with the pen has sufficient ink flow to keep up with my relaxed writing speed. This nib doesn't have a sharp crisp edge to it, but I have had to many issues in the past with sharp crisp edged nibs. There is no perceptible feathering or bleed through on the Apica Premium C.D. Notebook paper with the Lamy supplied blue ink cartridge. It was very pleasant surprise as I was expecting to see some.

 

2. The Lamy Joy is the first fountain pen where it did not feel a need to post the cap! I really like the balance of this pen in my hand! You cannot post the cap on the Lamy Joy in any case.

 

3. The design of the Lamy Joy a very elegant, both in design and in function. I would think Montblanc would put their stamp of approval on this one. 

 

4. It has a great price point! Something I think Montblanc would not put their stamp of approval on.

 

5. With all that the Lamy Joy pen has going for it, I can scratch that new Montblanc Meisterstück from my bucket list. I am just having too much fun with this new Lamy Joy to care. I'll stick to my current Montblanc Meisterstück 146 with its custom ground "EF" nib for the bulk of my daily writing, using this new LAMY Joy 1.5 mm for everything else. 

 

Tommy

 

 

[arcfide]

I'm glad to see that you are enjoying your new pen! I had to admit that the Lamy 1.5mm stub nib is a hit or miss with me at times. However, it does work reliably and has excellent line variation. 

[OCArt]

Every time I pick up a Lamy Joy I am surprised at how much better I like it then the Safari, although I like the Safari too.  The pen just has great balance. I usually use a 1.1 nib.  I love broad nibs but 1.5 is too broad for me!

[jchch1950]

I haven't try the Lamy Joy design yet but I like the Safari with a 1.1 nib. tommyn : after

 reading your review I think I will try one Lamy Joy.

[tommym]

13 hours ago, OCArt said:

Every time I pick up a Lamy Joy I am surprised at how much better I like it then the Safari, although I like the Safari too.  The pen just has great balance. I usually use a 1.1 nib.  I love broad nibs but 1.5 is too broad for me!

 

I had a similar experience with the Safari. The balance just wasn't right from me.  So, I was really reluctant to purchase the Lamy Joy, but it all worked out for the best.

 

Tommy

[tommym]

So, here is a photo if the Lamy Joy 1.5 mm next to the Montblanc 146 that is getting the boot.  This 146 has a fat "M" or a skinny "B" nib. The Lamy Joy 1.5 mm is a much better compliment to my daily writer, my Montblanc 146 with the custom ground "EF" nib.  An additional benefit is that I will longer have to guess which 146 is which. That alone is a major blessing.

 

Tommy