Review: @Lamy Safari 2017 Petrol Fountain Pen @Fontolpum0

Every time Lamy launches a new color, I convince myself I don't want it or need it. Fontoplumo feeds my addiction.

ABOUT

Body Material: Plastic
Trim: Black colored chrome
Length (capped): 139.8 mm/5.50"
Length (uncapped nib-end): 129.0 mm/5.08"
Length (posted): 164.76 mm/6.48"
Length (section): 35.6 mm/1.4"
Barrel Diameter: 10.5 mm/0.41"
Section Diameter: 10.50 - 12.31 mm/0.41" - 0.48" (flat surface at smallest point to widest point)
Nib material: Steel
Weight (all): 17 g
Weight (cap): 9 g
Weight (body): 8 g
Fill type: Lamy cartridges/Lamy Z24 Converter
Price: € 16,45 outside the EU
Where to buy:    Fontoplumo 

Discount code: GOURMETPENS

PACKAGING

Lamy offers straight forward, simple, low-waste packaging for the AL-star fountain pens - small, grey, cardboard boxes that keep the pen safe from scratches, but doesn't take up too much space. I like it.

APPEARANCE

The Safari is a full size pen - it's nice for many users because it's not a small pocket pen, but it's not oversize - it's just right in between. A proper, full size pen! The ends are blunt, but slightly rounded off, with a black end plug at the top and a Petrol colored plug at the end. The finial is a black cross on this Safari, indicating at a glance that this is a fountain pen. The cap is completely round, whereas the rest of the body has two flat surfaces - one with LAMY engraved on it, and the other sides are rounded like the cap. The clip is built into the cap; long, sleek and curved outwards at the end.

There is an ink window near the section that allows you to see the ink cartridge or converter inside. This is quite useful, and is a simple feature that is missing on many pens. It doesn't work on all pens, but it works here! As a result of this open space, you can see your ink level, but you cannot turn this pen into an eyedropper. The section matches the rest of the pen - it is Petrol-colored plastic. There are no exposed threads - something that is likely overlooked by a lot of people, but is a great thing for those who are bothered by sharp threads!

The Petrol is an intriguing color - a dark teal with a matte texture and black trim that looks really cool. It's a color that I think is appealing and perhaps more desirable than the strange neons Lamy was working with for awhile there.

NIB & PERFORMANCE

The steel Lamy nib is small and simple, with a single breather hole and slit, engraved with Lamy and the nib size. These are interchangeable nibs, so you can slide the nib off and put a different size on your pen - very convenient! The Petrol wears a black PVD-coated steel nib, which matches the black trim.

The Lamy nib is aesthetically simple, but in general, they are reliable, easy to work with nibs. I have used a lot of these steel nibs now, and have not had any real issues with them. Sometimes an extra-fine may be more of a fine than extra-fine, but other than that, they've never been a problem. If you don't like the feeling, you can quickly and easy smooth your nib out with some micro mesh. I found this fine nib quite smooth.

Lamy nibs perform really well - perhaps not extremely precise and consistent with regards to nib sizes, but reliable. This fine was a Western fine, that is, not very fine! It was smooth and put down nice clean lines. It was medium wet with fast drying times. It did not skip or hard start and it easily kept up with long and fast writing sessions. Lamy's steel nibs are quite firm with normal writing, but you could squeeze out a touch of line variation with moderate pressure. I don't recommend doing that often. Again, my experience with Lamy nibs, fortunately, has been quite positive.

IN HAND

The shape of the clip with the curve at the end of the cap allows it to slide easily on to papers or on to shirts. It's not very snug, but it's not a heavy pen either, so it doesn't really need much tension to stay in place.

The grip shape is one of those triangular type that may bother you. The seams are a little sharp if you get one that was roughly done, but it works for me. I don't have issues gripping the section, but I know some people hate it.

Unposted, the pen is comfortable, well-balanced, and a good size. I think many users would find this comfortable unposted. If you like to post, the cap does post by friction. It sits securely on the back of the pen, and it doesn't wiggle or around or fall off. It doesn't feel top heavy when posted and it's still comfortable to write with, but I prefer to use it unposted.

The body, unlike the smooth Al-Star, has a textured finish to it. I find this material quite resistant to scratches and marks. The clip is not too tight, but if you pull too hard, there is some give where it attaches into the cap so be careful with it.

PROS & CONS

OVERALL

The Lamy Safari remains a great choice for new users and experienced users al ike. I certainly would recommend the Safari to those interested in fountain pens - they're pretty easy to find, quite robust, have interchangeable nibs, and are comfortable to use. The advantages of the pen outweigh the disadvantages, with the exception of the grip - that has to work for you. The danger lies in the new colours every year...I received this pen free of charge for the purpose of this review.



I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion. There are no affiliate links in this review.