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To many, the Lamy Safari is one of the quintessential “starter” pens for those seeking to step into the wide world fountain pens. It is affordable, well constructed, and has a relatively high availability in most countries. My own Lamy Safari is a bit weathered (well, at least the nib is), but it is still going strong!

The Lamy Safari comes in a wide variety of colors. Some of those colors are actually limited editions made for one specific year (though some of those colors are repeated in later years), but the simple format of the pen itself never changes. There is also a clear (demonstrator) version of this pen which is often referred to as the Lamy Vista. My personal color of choice was the charcoal gray with matching trim. The body is made of a hard resin that has been given a textured surface (note: most Safari models are not textured but rather smooth plastic) which helps you keep a good grip on the pen and also adds a bit of character to it as well. Along the sides of the pen is an open-air ink window on either side, and the words, “LAMY” on one side. The pen is light, but it does not feel cheap. When posted, the pen feels a bit back-heavy and I find it more comfortable to write without the cap. The resin feels strong and does not flex if you squeeze it. Unlike some of the cheap knockoffs, the Lamy Safari feels like a pen that is built to take some abuse.

The nib is made of steel and can be very smooth if you find the sweet spot. Deviate too much, though, and it can give a lot of feedback depending on the type of paper you are writing on. There is really no flex to the nib at all, and it definitely was not meant to be flexed. One of the great features of these pens is how incredibly easy it is to switch nibs. Simply grip the nib from both sides and give it a gentle tug away from the pen and it slips right off. Lamy sells replacement nibs in Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, 1.1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 1.9 mm.

One of the more polarizing aspects of the pen, for some people, is the grip section. The grip section is molded to aid in keeping a proper writing grip on the pen. Some people like it, others do not (personally, I don’t like it). However, overall the Lamy Safari has made quite a name for itself and it continues to be among the first pens suggested to beginning fountain pen users (for good reason). I think it is a great pen and a stepping stone into a larger world.

 

Nib material: Steel

Cap: Snap

Filling mechanism: Cartridge/Converter (Lamy Z24)

Overall length: 144 mm

 

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