Lamy Pens

[southpaw52]

I do not know much about Lamy fountain pens. I'm considering purchasing either a Safari or Al-Star. Is any significant difference between the two?

[KrazyIvan]

The Al-Star is made of aluminum and the Safari is plastic. The Al-Star is slightly larger. Nibs and converters are interchangeable but sections and barrels are not.

EDIT: The Al-star will have a smoked plastic section no matter the color. The Safari's section usually matches the color of the pen.

[southpaw52]

Then the Al-Star would be the better choice then.

[Laura N]

I would add that the Safari plastic seems to hold up better to wear than the Al-Star's finish, which is more prone to noticeable scratches. So if you are going to carry it loose in a backpack or pocket, the pen to choose would be the Safari. Of the Safari options, the charcoal has a textured finish that is probably the most durable.

On the other hand, the Al-Star looks more grown-up and might feel slightly more appropriate in a business setting, if that is a consideration.

They both write slightly on the dry side, so would be a good match for the DeAtramentis inks you like, if my memory is correct.

[KrazyIvan]

Then the Al-Star would be the better choice then.

It depends. I have both. Personally, I like the Al-Star better because it is metal but still lightweight. Some people don't like it because the anodized color can start to show wear and tear if kept is a pocket with keys, for example. The Safari's are made of a very strong plastic that probably holds up better to keys.

EDIT: Laura beat me to the punch.

[85AKbN]

...difference between the two?

05g / .177oz

22g / .776oz Al-Star
17g / .599oz Safari

[kaisnowbird]

I like my Safari and enjoy the Al-Star more, but the one I really love -- the Vista!

[Jeph]

I own neither, but having looked at racks of both together the AL-Star just looks better to me. The Safari is probably better for the money but the anodized colors (while new at least) look better to my eye.

[Toffer]

I prefer my Safari's to my Al-star, I prefer the warmth of the plastic and the feel in my hand. I'm weird.

[Laura N]

I prefer my Safari's to my Al-star, I prefer the warmth of the plastic and the feel in my hand. I'm weird.

You can't be weird -- because I feel the same way. I like them both, but if I could only have one it would be the Safari. Or the Vista, as Kai says.

[Lady Onogaro]

Southpaw,

The drawback of the aluminum is that if you are hard on pens (or even not so hard), it's really easy to scratch the aluminum, so it can show wear a lot more clearly than a Safari. I have two Lamy Vistas (the demonstrator) and a blue aluminum pen, and I find myself using the Vista more frequently when I really want to lay down some ink.

[velo]

Some things about my Lamys.

The finish on the Al-Star may wear but it's a pretty indestructable pen. I've had one for over a decade. Worked with five different nib sizes and never had a problem. I wish the section was in the same material as the barrel. I prefer the weight of it compared to the Safari.

Personally I think the charcoal/matte black Safari is the best of that line because of the texture. It's got a nice feel to it. In fact I'd prefer the Al-Star section to have a similar kind of finish instead of the clear plastic.

I don't like the plastic of the Vista. It feels cheaper than the others and mine broke after about two weeks. Also you don't get to see so much of the nice ink sloshing around like you do with other demonstrators.

[klpeabody]

I confess that I really enjoy my LAMY Safari's/Al-Stars/Vista's. I will frequently take my Al-Star pens to work, and always receive inquiries about them because my co-workers think they are really cool looking. I agree that they can scratch a bit easily, though, so I try to be a bit mindful with them.

I recently purchased the matte black Al-Star and really like the finish on it. The texture is a nice departure from the standard Al-Star finish, and I really like the feel of the pen in the hand.

As far as the Vista is concerned, it is probably my favorite looking pen in the bunch. For whatever reason, it is visually appealing to me. I do find that normal wear and tear is less likely to show on this pen due to the transparent plastic.

Truth be told, they are all fun, and I always have at least one in use because they are so reliable. I think you really can't go wrong with any of these.

[KrazyIvan]

I'm not so sure the wear on the Al-Star is a negative. Kaweco is doing the worn look for their new pens.

[Laura N]

That black Kaweco looks great! Like a well-used black paint Leica.

I only wish a naturally scratched Al-Star looked like that. Instead, I get random small gouges and scratches marring the finish, like a car bearing 10 years of parking lot dings and scrapes. But I still love them.

[klpeabody]

That black Kaweco looks great! Like a well-used black paint Leica.

I only wish a naturally scratched Al-Star looked like that. Instead, I get random small gouges and scratches marring the finish, like a car bearing 10 years of parking lot dings and scrapes. But I still love them.

You beat me to the punch, Laura!
Ditto.
And, ditto.

[Toffer]

I'm not so sure the wear on the Al-Star is a negative. Kaweco is doing the worn look for their new pens.

Man I want the black one of those!

[Bogon07]

You could take a file and sandpaper to the Black Al-Star for that effect.

Manoeuver has/had an old beat up Aluminum Al-Star that shows the sort of punishment an Al-Star can take and still perform.

The Safari is the cheaper option and they use the same nib & cartridge/converters {Z24(red) or Z26(black) it does not matter} if you are budget conscious.

The Joy is the same as a Safari with a long pointy end to poke your eye if you fall asleep while writing.
The Nexx is also another consideration.

[kaisnowbird]

You could take a file and sandpaper to the Black Al-Star for that effect.

Ouch... The poor thing, all that limited edition stealthy effect...

The Joy is the same as a Safari with a long pointy end to poke your eye if you fall asleep while writing.

[KrazyIvan]

You could take a file and sandpaper to the Black Al-Star for that effect.

I think a few sessions of skidding my pen across the parking lot would make for a more authentic look.