Lamy LX Palladium Fountain Pen - Is it real or is it fake?

[iPen]

I recently purchased a brand new Lamy LX Palladium fountain pen, and I just got it delivered today. However, I'm unsure if it's real or not. Perhaps what I'm seeing below are all normal or within expected tolerances for an authentic Lamy Lx pen; perhaps I was sold an authentic Lamy Lx but it's a lemon or a returned pen for its poor fit and finish; or perhaps this is a fake. I show some pics below with the respective in-line point, and the rest are attached to this post at the very bottom.

 

Any thoughts on whether or not this is a legit LAMY Lx palladium fountain pen? Thanks in advance!

 

• There was no paper guide/brochure that should come with it. From videos online, I saw that they come with one between the pen and clip, inside the Lx case.

• On the cardboard ring, the text is bold and not crisp. One part is cut-off on the "REMOVE" but that may be a normal part of producing the ring (?).

 

• The "GERMANY" at the base is not centered with the "LAMY" on the barrel.

 

 

• The glossy/polished finish chrome-plated or steel clip, finial, and base metal look more like a steel color instead of the off-white palladium color I've seen online (one example on YouTube time-stamped here). You may be able to contrast that steel color compared to my (albeit brushed finish) Parker Jotter shown in one of the attached pics at the very bottom. The anodized aluminum palladium color reflects off of the polished/glossy surface of the clip, finial, and base, and I think that's why some of the pics make it appear more off-white than it actually is. The pic of the base that I took isolates it from the body more, so that "steel" color is more apparent relative to the anodized palladium color on the rest of the pen.

 

• The "plus" on the finial is off-center, and does not align with the clip. I didn't measure it but gauging it in terms of time on a watch or clock, it's off by around 3-5 minutes.

 

 

[Astronymus]

All normal. The paper ring is just that, a cheap paper ring. The print is most likely from a roll glued on different diameter rings for different pens. I own crips and bold ones. And said parts are never centered. Only in promo shots.

 

Maybe it was on display. Would explain the missing brochure. Some people are just annoyingly sloppy.

 

Only odd thing I see is that white "thing" under the nib. Cleaning residue, paper?

[iPen]

4 hours ago, Astronymus said:

All normal. The paper ring is just that, a cheap paper ring. The print is most likely from a roll glued on different diameter rings for different pens. I own crips and bold ones. And said parts are never centered. Only in promo shots.

 

Maybe it was on display. Would explain the missing brochure. Some people are just annoyingly sloppy.

 

Only odd thing I see is that white "thing" under the nib. Cleaning residue, paper?

 

Thanks for your response and evaluation, I appreciate it.

 

• For the centering of the finial and base, it sounds like it's either hit or (more) miss. So I take it that buying another one may be another miss (?). It may be possible for me to align it but if it's too delicate, then I don't want to risk damaging it.

• For the "chrome" metal of the clip, finial, and base, if I'm understanding correctly, it's supposed to be a standard silver/steel color, and not that off-white palladium color like on the anodized aluminum barrel body (despite what promotional content may make the color appear as).

• Here are more pics of the nib and the area below it:

[Astronymus]

 

You can turn the finial on the top with a plastic coin or something if it triggers your OCD. 😉 It's not a screw these days. It's just popped in.

Judging by the photos the glossy parts are also palladium colored. That would be right on an Lx. Only the AL-Star has chrome or black clips (and finials). The Lx parts fit their barrel design.

Pictures are normal. There is a gap between the nib and the barrel by design. Nib itself looks fine. All within production tolerances.

Keep in mind this a cheap mass production product. Not a pen carved by blind monks in an himalayan monastery and kissed by a virgin before shipping. 😜

Judging by the pictures I'd say this is 100% genuine. Enjoy your pen. If you need the brochure for collection you should contact the seller.

[iPen]

3 hours ago, Astronymus said:

 

You can turn the finial on the top with a plastic coin or something if it triggers your OCD. 😉 It's not a screw these days. It's just popped in.

Judging by the photos the glossy parts are also palladium colored. That would be right on an Lx. Only the AL-Star has chrome or black clips (and finials). The Lx parts fit their barrel design.

Pictures are normal. There is a gap between the nib and the barrel by design. Nib itself looks fine. All within production tolerances.

Keep in mind this a cheap mass production product. Not a pen carved by blind monks in an himalayan monastery and kissed by a virgin before shipping. 😜

Judging by the pictures I'd say this is 100% genuine. Enjoy your pen. If you need the brochure for collection you should contact the seller.

Thanks. I'll keep the pen and try the finial twist thing with a plastic coin to not scratch it up. BTW, I haven't punctured the ink cartridge yet, but now I will to finally use the fountain pen lol.

[jchch1950]

Enjoy your new pen.

[iPen]

17 hours ago, jchch1950 said:

Enjoy your new pen.

🙂 Thanks

[Easigraf]

Very normal! This is exactly how mine was when I received it. If you get a small hex screwdriver you can straight the bottom finial/tighten accordingly. I wouldn't touch the top finial though. Enjoy

[Black Spot]

On 9/13/2024 at 6:45 AM, Astronymus said:

 

Keep in mind this a cheap mass production product. Not a pen carved by blind monks in an himalayan monastery and kissed by a virgin before shipping. 😜

 

 

That is right Lamy pens are hand made by monks living in a monastery in Heidelberg.