Lamy Safari

[Anne-Sophie]

It seems that the Safari reference for is no longer available.

 

Christophe,  Uffufa and other sub-forum enthusiasts, what do you say we set it up again? 

[NgunnawalJack]

On 7/28/2021 at 10:56 AM, david-p said:

always impressed by the way that the windows align perfectly with the cartridge/convertor for seeing the ink inside: in my experience, spot on every time.

Me too!

Excellent engineering of the moulding equipment and maintenance.

[IanP2303]

On 1/11/2009 at 6:07 AM, haywoody said:

Hi,

 

I was Googling "Lamy Safari colors" a few years ago and found my way to this thread. That was my intro to FPN. The Safari was the first fountain pen I ever spent money on. I remember staring at them in a drafting/art supply store near my university many times before I could bring myself to spend $24 for a pen! I'm glad I did... my Charcoal Safari was my only FP and daily writer for nearly 10 years. It wrote without a problem for nearly 17 years until it developed a leak last year. Not too bad for $24.

 

I have built up a collection of all the colors over the last few years and ended up with some interesting paraphernalia too. This post is the first installment, design changes, with several more to come. The information here is speculation based on the pens sitting in my collection. I doubt it is complete and I am sure there are other variants out there... some of this information is guaranteed to be incorrect. Corrections and additions are welcome.

 

So, aside from the F sticker on the front pen, what is the difference between the four pictured below?

 

 

They are all obviously textured Charcoal but there are minor design changes from the oldest (front) to most recent (back). Lets call them first through fourth generation. How to spot the differences:

 

First generation - launched in 1980 these were available in textured finish with 3 color options - Terracotta orange, Savannah green and Charcoal black. The white pen might have been made this early too but I have not seen one.The easiest way to identify the pen is by the lack of imprint in the bottom of the barrel. Another minor detail that is different from future generations is the cap nut is hexagonal. You can see the flats on it if you shine a light into the cap. The pen was designed for cartridges or the old-style metal squeeze bar converter so there are only two wide slots at the threaded end of the section. I believe the old-style converters were included with the pen in some markets and sold separately in others.

 

Second generation - these appeared sometime in the mid 80's. The "W. Germany" imprint was added to the bottom of the barrel. The inner cap was redesigned (the early material deteriorated quite easily) and the cap nut was changed to a round shape. Other colors were added, including white, red, yellow and blue. Most of these colors were only offered with a smooth texture. The charcoal was still textured and the white was made in both textured and smooth. I have heard rumors of a smooth charcoal but never actually seen one. The Terracotta and Savannah were discontinued.

 

Third generation - these came around 1990 or 1991. There were two changes on this pen: the barrel imprint was changed to "Germany," thanks to reunification, and extra slots were added to the section to accept the snaps on the plastic piston converter. Colors were basically the same as the previous generation but the textured white disappeared and the first demonstrator was added. The demonstrator might be considered the first "LE" Safari. Around the mid-90's they were sold in some markets but I don't know if they ever appeared as a regular catalog item.

 

Fourth generation - this change came in the mid to late 90's and was a big one. The clip, nib and feed remained the same but all other parts were redesigned. The Lamy logo and nib size were added to the nib via laser-etching. The barrel was changed from one part to two. The cap and cap ring were combined into one part. The cap asembly was redesigned to snap together, eliminating the machined top screw and cap nut. I believe this redesign was done as a cost-saving measure. The price of these pens has changed very little in nearly 30 years and this redesign allowed Lamy to lower the manufacturing cost. Total number of parts went from 14 down to 11 and they eliminated two costly machined parts. All done without really altering the appearance or quality of the pen - not bad. The original white pen disappeared, a textured grey was introduced and followed by many LE colors. The demonstrator exists in this generation too but it went away when the Vista was introduced.

 

Same pens with the section threads showing. The slots for the piston converter were added on the third generation pens

 

Tops, generation 1-4, left to right

 

Bottoms, generation 1-4, left to right

 

Autopsy shot - third generation pen

 

Autopsy shot - fourth generation pen

 

Converters and a cartridge

 

If you have a Safari which falls outside the descriptions above, please post (and let me know if you are interested in selling it ).

 

Next installment... nibs

 

/Woody

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing!

[Anne-Sophie]

Using a Safari list from a post that has been pinned by RMN, one of our Mods. 

 

I want to try to re-construct Christoph and Uffufa's excellent reference, as a list here, on the FPN, any help with all Safari enthusiasts will be appreciated.

 

 

 

Savanna Green (textured)* black clip? introduced 1960's/70's/80's?

Terracotta Orange (textured)* black clip? introduced 1960's/70's/80's?

 

White (Alpin)* matte? black clip? introduced 1980's?

Light gray (Griso)* matte, black clip, introduced 1990's? FP RB BP MP

 

Charcoal/black/dark gray/umber (newer models textured) (S2)

 

Yellow

Red (Hot)

Dark blue (Sky)

 

In the 90's/early 2000's Yellow, Red and Blue, possibly Green, were available with black clip,  nib and end cap. FP RB BP MP

 

Blue with yellow clip (available in Sweden)

 

Clear demonstrator with chrome clip (Vista) FP RB BP MP

 

Orange with red clip (Flame, 2004, LE)*

Light blue with red clip (Blue & Red, 2006, LE)*

 

Glossy black with chrome clip (Black, 2007, now a regular model)

Glossy white with chrome clip (White, 2007, now a regular model) 

FP RB BP MP

 

Light green with chrome clip (Lime, 2008, LE)

 

 

Petrol 200? black clip, matte, FP RB BP

Dark Violet? 200? black clip, matte,  FP RB BP

 

Mango

 

* = discontinued

LE = limited edition

 

Available as a

FP = fountain pen

RB = roller ball

BP = ball point

MP = mechanical pencil 

 

 

 

 

I  copied and pasted a list from the thread below:  https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/22180-lamy-safari-colours/page/6/#comments

 

 

[bonnie-scott]

23 hours ago, Anne-Sophie said:

I want to try to re-construct Christoph and Uffufa's excellent reference, as a list here, on the FPN, any help with all Safari enthusiasts will be appreciated.

Hi Anne,

 

sadly I can't remember what Christoph's list looked like, happy to help put something together but would be good to know what information the list should contain.  I'm assuming the starting point is models and release date, but there is also the finish e.g. matte/gloss, clip colour, the type of end on the cap, e.g. black cross, colour marched to the body cross, red dot, colour matched dot etc.  This information is sufficient to cover the majority of the worldwide releases, but there have bee a lot of 'themed' releases in Asia e.g. 150 years of friendship between Japan and Germany, Pirates of the Caribean, Line Friends (including a unique matte brown), Kummamon, Japan patterned finishes e.g. hearts, stripes.

 

So what would you like to have in the information and how would you like to see it presented?

 

Uffuffa is (I believe still a member) but doesn't log on that often you could try and private message him to see if he has a copy of the original list you are looking for.

 

Best regards,

Julian

[Anne-Sophie]

22 minutes ago, bonnie-scott said:

Hi Anne,

 

sadly I can't remember what Christoph's list looked like, happy to help put something together but would be good to know what information the list should contain.  I'm assuming the starting point is models and release date, but there is also the finish e.g. matte/gloss, clip colour, the type of end on the cap, e.g. black cross, colour marched to the body cross, red dot, colour matched dot etc.  This information is sufficient to cover the majority of the worldwide releases, but there have bee a lot of 'themed' releases in Asia e.g. 150 years of friendship between Japan and Germany, Pirates of the Caribean, Line Friends (including a unique matte brown), Kummamon, Japan patterned finishes e.g. hearts, stripes.

 

So what would you like to have in the information and how would you like to see it presented?

 

Uffuffa is (I believe still a member) but doesn't log on that often you could try and private message him to see if he has a copy of the original list you are looking for.

 

Best regards,

Julian

 

A pm to Uffuffa and Christoph is a great idea.

 

What do you mean by red dot and color matched dot?

[bonnie-scott]

On 10/17/2021 at 9:30 PM, Anne-Sophie said:

What do you mean by red dot and color matched dot?

Usually a Safari has a plug in the end of the cap that has a cross in it.  The roller Ball has a single groove.  The Lamy Joy calligraphy pen has a dot/hole in the centre and nothing else.  Sometimes for limited editions Lamy use the red clip and red dot plug from the Jy on the safari as the basic purpose.design of the plug is the same.  On some limited edition pens the plug is colour matched, like the recent mango etc candy coloured ones.  However on some of the earlier models it is the dot cape like the Jy but colour matched to the body colour of the Pen.  There was at least an Orange one I think.  If I remember correctly the Orange has three different caps, colour matched dot, colour matched cross and also standard black cross.  I need to get my camera out and share some photos but hopefully that is enough to explain.

[inkstainedruth]

@bonnie-scott -- Very interesting explanation.  I got curious and since my French Blue Safari was at hand, I looked at the cap and it has a red plug (matching the red clip) with a dot.  The other Safaris (Dark Lilac and Violet) and the al-Stars (Vibrant Pink and "Azure" and the Ruthenium LX are all upstairs so I'd have to check on them later.  But of course they are all fairly production recent models (2016 or newer -- and bought new -- except for the French Blue).

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[Anne-Sophie]

14 minutes ago, bonnie-scott said:

Usually a Safari has a plug in the end of the cap that has a cross in it.  The roller Ball has a single groove.  The Lamy Joy calligraphy pen has a dot/hole in the centre and nothing else.  Sometimes for limited editions Lamy use the red clip and red dot plug from the Jy on the safari as the basic purpose.design of the plug is the same.  On some limited edition pens the plug is colour matched, like the recent mango etc candy coloured ones.  However on some of the earlier models it is the dot cape like the Jy but colour matched to the body colour of the Pen.  There was at least an Orange one I think.  If I remember correctly the Orange has three different caps, colour matched dot, colour matched cross and also standard black cross.  I need to get my camera out and share some photos but hopefully that is enough to explain.

 

Now, I understand, it would be great if you could take pictures of those features in your collection.

[Anne-Sophie]

Update 

•  

 

Using a Safari list from a post that has been pinned by RMN, one of our Mods. 

 

I want to try to re-construct Christoph and Uffufa's excellent reference, as a list here, on the FPN, any help with all Safari enthusiasts will be appreciated.

 

 

 

Savanna Green (textured)* black clip? introduced 1960's/70's/80's?

Terracotta Orange (textured)* black clip? introduced 1960's/70's/80's?

 

White (Alpin)* matte then glossy, metal clip

introduced 1983 

Did it ever had a black clip?

FP RB BP MP

 

Light gray (Griso)* matte, black clip, introduced 2001 FP RB BP MP

 

Charcoal/black/dark gray/umber (newer models textured) (S2) 1983

FP RB BP MP?

 

Yellow

Red (Hot)

Dark blue (Sky)

 

In the 90's/early 2000's Yellow, Red and Blue, possibly Green, were available with black clip,  nib and end cap. FP RB BP MP

 

Blue with yellow clip (available in Sweden)

 

Clear demonstrator with chrome clip (Vista)2002 FP RB BP MP

 

Orange with red clip (Flame, 2004, LE)*

Light blue with red clip (French Blue, 2006, LE)*

 

Glossy black with chrome clip (Black, 2007, now a regular model)

 

Glossy white with chrome clip (White, 2007, now a regular model) 

FP RB BP MP

 

Light green with chrome clip (Lime, 2008, LE)

 

Dark Lilac 2016 black clip, matte,  FP RB BP

Petrol 2017 black clip, matte, FP RB BP

 

Pastel Special Edition 2019

Rose shiny 

Light Blue shiny

Mint shiny

FP RB BP

 

 

Mango

Violet

 

* = discontinued

LE = limited edition

 

Available as a

FP = fountain pen

RB = roller ball

BP = ball point

MP = mechanical pencil 

 

 

 

 

I  copied and pasted a list from the thread below:  https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/22180-lamy-safari-colours/page/6/#comments

[jungkind]

I don't know if it was the final version

Lamy_Safari_List.pdf

[Anne-Sophie]

48 minutes ago, jungkind said:

I don't know if it was the final version

Lamy_Safari_List.pdf 204.59 kB · 0 downloads

 

Thank you so much for sharing! It is wonderful!

[christof]

The last version is this:

 

LAMY Safari English quer Dezember 2020 by C.M.Z, auf Flickr

 

Chris and me, we didn't find the time for the 2021 up-date yet.

C.

[Black Spot]

I remember there were boxes of Lamy safari in every store that sold school supply's 

it was always a mix of Umbra smooth and matt. The yellow, blue, red were always smooth and the clear pen. I would say it was like that from the mid 80's threw most of the 90's. 

One girl in my class had a white safari. No one collected them they were just the pen you used in school. 

 

 

[bonnie-scott]

34 minutes ago, christof said:

Chris and me, we didn't find the time for the 2021 up-date yet.

Hi Christoff,

 

thanks for sharing.  even for a Safari geek like me there are some I have missed eg, the Disney Tsum Tsum edition in 2017.

 

best regards,

Julian

[Black Spot]

A link to a non english web sight that shows safaris and when they came out

https://azaharaestilograficas.com/lamy/lamy-safari/

 

if any one has a copy or picture of the paper included with the  original safari I would like to see that.

[bonnie-scott]

18 minutes ago, Black Spot said:

A link to a non english web sight that shows safaris and when they came out

Thanks for sharing that, really good site, just wish my Spanish (?) was better.

 

Thank you Julian

 

p.s. Sadly I have the original box but not the paper with the drawings shown 😞

[christof]

https://www.stylo-plume.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=15205

3 hours ago, Black Spot said:

A link to a non english web sight that shows safaris and when they came out

https://azaharaestilograficas.com/lamy/lamy-safari/

 

 

 

I hate to say that, but this site shows stolen pictures from allover the web (inclusive mines).

 

Years ago, I started a thread on french stylo-plume.org with exactly the same topic:

 

https://www.stylo-plume.org/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=15205

 

honestly, I am tired of this copy stuff...

 

stay healthy. Best

C.

 

 

[Anne-Sophie]

4 hours ago, christof said:

The last version is this:

 

LAMY Safari English quer Dezember 2020 by C.M.Z, auf Flickr

 

Chris and me, we didn't find the time for the 2021 up-date yet.

C.

 

Thank you, thank you Christoph!

 

I followed the older flickr link and it didn't work, so I tried, without much success, to find the data, from memory, so the post could be updated, sort of an interactive Lamy Safari thread.

 

Then someone shared yours and Chris fabulous pdf. 

 

And now you updated your flicker link, thank you so very much!

 

I was asking people, on the forum, to share their own Safari's pictures. Not to copy yours.

 

I didn't pm either of you, because I figured you will be really busy as the holiday season's sales are starting.

 

PS: Merci pour le lien du forum stylo plume, quelles belles images!

 

[bonnie-scott]

On 10/18/2021 at 10:03 PM, Anne-Sophie said:

 

Now, I understand, it would be great if you could take pictures of those features in your collection.

Hi Anne-Sophie,

 

I've taken a picture of three Pink Safaris to illustrate the different caps 🙂  Hope this helps.

 

L-R Pink Dot Cap, Pink Cross Cap, Black Cross Cap

Edited October 20, 2021 by bonnie-scott
added description