From their unique design to comfortable grip, the Lamy Safari and Al-Star are among my favorite pens. Plus, swapping a nib couldn't be easier. Thank you for researching the interesting history of these wonderful pens.
I have a 10 pen limit. 3 are Lamy Safari. I absolutely love them. The ink window is so helpful. I have converters and usually match the ink to the pen. You're making me want the red aluminum.
Not a huge fan of the design of the Safari/ AL-Star/ Vista family personally, but I really appreciate that they have helped so many people fall into the hobby! ^-^
Hello HJ. Brilliant video. These pens are worth more than they cost. Great value for an inexpensive price. During the history portion of the broadcast, you mentioned Wuppertal in Germany. A dear friend of mine was from there and it brought back wonderful memories. He is no longer with us so memories are all I have. Thanks for reminding me of a great friend. Keep them coming my friend.
This is the best Lamy safari video I’ve seen! I love the design of these and the grip works very well for me. It’s a great pen for me even when my hands are fatigued because my fingers “land” in the right place.
This video was entertaining and informative. When I was in high school in France, all the students wrote with a fountain pen. Those who were in the mathematics section (the best students) all had a Lamy Safari. The others, like me, had a Waterman. The fact that the Lamy didn't use standard cartridges seemed odd to me at the time. Now I love them.
Hello! Thanks for the interesting history of the Safari! Love writing with my plastic ones, as well as the Aquatic, which is very, very nice, also. To me the Safari is like the "Clark Kent" pen, looks kind of boring on the outside, but becomes super pen when writing with it! The easily exchangeable nibs are amazing, too! I know I speak for others when I say I was entertained! Don't throw any swords at me, but if you want to throw a Safari at me, I'll do my best to catch it!
French people all over the world are shaking their heads! It took me a few seconds to realize what you said. Lol! I love my Lamy Vista! It wasmy first fountain pen. I love the precision of German engineering, so the Lamy won out over the TWSBI Eco. Lisa
This was such a beautiful video. I didn't even notice the time going past. So many "long" videos (as opposed to the Shorts) are so boring. Not this one. Thank you for your in depth look at Lamy Safari. I'm subscribing.
I heard you say a few videos ago someone commented and complained about your museum trips in videos. I just wanted to say thank you for going to those places. I get a lot of inspiration from those places to write also.
HJ, wonderful video of a great pen from Lamy. I have several including the green Safari and those latest two AL-Star's as well. As an Overhanded-Lefty Fountain Pen Writer, these are easy to use. Changing out the nibs is easy and I've been enjoying using the black "LH" nib for Left-Handers for most of my writing, though I do use other Lamy nibs without a problem.
As with many here, the Lamy was my first pen. I labored over the color and nib size for months. I chose the white with black fine nib with black accents as it matched my car lol…it is my favorite pen, filled with writer’s blood. It has journaled hundreds of pages with me and helped me through many dark days. I call it my Storm Trooper pen. I hope they never change. The grip fits the way I hold pens so I find it very comfortable.
As always, your presentation is very well done. I'm a newbie to the fountain pen hobby, but I really love the design of the Safari, which is a masterpiece of simplicity, especially the pocket clip. It is one of smoothest writing pens I've ever used. The overall shape of the pen is vaguely reminiscent of the Parker Duofold, only much more affordable and modern looking.
I love Lamy Safari and Al-star pens. I love the colors and the fact that you can easily swap nibs out. The reason why I got them in the first place is that I wanted to learn how to swap nibs. Yes, I even have a gold nib on my Dark Lilac, it's an Oblique Medium which I love (why Lamy did you discontinue such a fine writer!) - I don't need to buy all the colors, because some of the early models are soooooooo expensive, but I do have some of them I purchased over the years. Like the red with black clip.
Dear Mr. Jones: I can assure you that many of us were entertained, and I, for one, was certainly entertained! Your great efforts in creating these videos are worthwhile. I am watching the video from the other side of the world - in a different timezone- and still being able to connect to your endearing enthusiasm, and evocative coverage of the pens! Like your videos, its subjects- Lamy Safari, and the Al Star- have wide appeal. They often do not get the love and respect they deserve, and their ready availability prompts one to overlook the ingenuity of the designs as well as the R & D that went behind the products. I had no idea that they were introduced in 1980. Your photo of the Lamy Safari stall during the launching period established the importance of the product to Lamy as a company. Lamy Safari certainly is the face of Lamy, and continues to remain a category leader - staving off cheap competitions (and imitations) from China even in countries (e.g. India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) where it can be perceived as a pricey pen. I am also intrigued by the fact that Pelikan's school pens (i.e. the Pelikano) are sometimes outgunned by the Safari (even though Pelikano features a more ergonomic grip, and equally sturdy design). Fountain pen aficionados' regard for these pens will deepen after watching your video. Lamy Safari is a testament to the endurance of a design philosophy which outlasted much vaunted designs like the Sheaffer Targa and Parker 75, and will continue to define what a robust writing instrument really is!
@@shamimehsanulhaque3555 Thank you very much for your kind reply and excellent comment. I agree completely and I don’t know why the Pelikano doesn’t get more respect. Perhaps because it is smaller and used by fewer adults? I don’t know. Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your perspective.
What a fascinating and beautiful video, Hem! Like many people the Safari was my first real fountain pen… and it still surprises me how nicely it writes!
Superb video editing on this Hemingway! My Lamy Safari Al-star has a special place in my heart as it’s the pen which rekindled my passion for fountain pens after a long hiatus. Really great video which has me thinking about whether I could do with another Safari in the collection…an all white one perhaps…with a stub nib…hmm…
The Al Star is the penultimate writing instrument! Your video compelled me to purchase the Aquatic impulsively. My 3rd to go with the Petrol and Black. Sam Flax in Atlanta will do a nib swap when you buy from them. They have the Black nibs and I had them put it on the Black Al Star. I bought the Petrol when it came with a matching pouch. For the money, I don’t believe you can get a cooler, penultimate pen that does what you ask it to do. Wonderful video.😊
I have a couple of Lamy Safaris, but I have to say, they are by far the scratchiest of all my fountain pens. I love the way they look; they are truly iconic pens and easily identifiable by the grip and clip. I really like the clip actually although I know many people don't. I prefer the AL-star (gorgeous but still scratchy, though. I have the fine and extra fine nibs), so I have a few of these in the rollerball version instead. I like the look of my Lamy's and the Safari was the first fountain pen I ever bought. I only wish the performance was better though. They are my least-used fountain pens but my most-used rollerballs. I didn't like the ugly two-tone colours that came out this year, but my AL-star in black-purple is a thing of beauty. Great video as always.
I haven’t dropped any cash on a Lamy Safari-yet. I did get a beautiful blue Studio, though. I think it’s aluminium? Not sure, but I love that pen. After watching your video about the Kaweco Sport Bronze, I actually ordered one. It came in the mail from Atlas Stationers this morning. It is *chef’s kiss*! Collecting fountain pens is a new hobby for me, and I am alarmed at how much I’ve spent so far! 😂 I think I’ll move into the rabbit hole of inks for awhile. Cheers! K
A wonderfully presented video and review. Enjoyed hearing the history of the pen and some of Lamy's history as a company. Looks like they did a fantastic job on both models. That's a beautiful looking knife too. The Lamy safari was my first fountain pen and will always have a special place is my collection. Still one of my favorites to write with. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for watching! I appreciate it! I am into pocket knives and other knives too! I see by your screen name, that’s your area of interest as well. Thanks so much and all the best!
Thank you for yet another magnificent video 🙏. I am certainly entertained - and educated! I love my Safaris! I have eight by now, and they’re in constant rotation. Perfect for those of us who love matching pen & ink. I have the yellow, petrol, blue macaron, powder rose, terra red, savannah green, cream, and Itoya grey/copper. Wasn’t it great that they reissued the two original safari colors for the last anniversary?
Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words! It was awesome that they rereleased the original colors, but I didn't pick one up! I should have. Maybe I'll see one at the DC Pen Show! Thanks very much!
Appreciate the background. Did not realize that the Safari was such a new pen. For no reason I always imagined it was designed/invented in the 1950-60s. I still like your Pitch Meeting for the Safari better.
I swore I would never buy a LAMY Safari because I couldn't stand the clip! (It looks like a broken paper clip.) But, then I received one in a Mystery Box, and then they released one in a pretty pink, and I relented! Now I have 3!
Great video, HJ. Thanks. I need to get a couple more Lamy's since I gave mine to my grandbabies. I didn't have any problems with them. I mailed a letter to you this morning.
I love the ergonomic grip on the Safari. Fingers just fall into a good writing position and comfortably stay there. I also enjoy the satisfying 'click' when you apply the cap.
Even as a self-admitted Pilot and Japanese pen marques fanboy-who owns far too many of them- I must admit that my Lamy Safari is one of my favorite pens to use. I love the ease of swapping nibs, the excellent converter that bests its closest Pilot peer, the lovely color options, and the ergonomics. Most of all, I appreciate how versatile the Safari is with different viscosities of inks (unlike Pilot Pens, which do not like dry or average flow inks), which is perfect for those who love sampling. My Safari has a medium point nib and is gloss white with stone grey accents, just like Mr. Jones’, and my Al-Star is Ocean Blue with a medium nib. I love to practice Kanji as a hobby, so perhaps I should consider the Cursive Nib.
Like many of us, a Lamy Safari was one of my first FPs. I sort of graduated to the 2K, but am happy that they continue to make affordable funky entry level EDCs.
I haven't take this pen seriously before your review, Hemingway, but will now order both the red and blue that you've shown us. They look like lots of fun!
When I first saw a Lamy Safari in the 80's, I just didn't like the look of it or that clip. Years later, I researched them and ended up buying one in Charcoal Black. Since then, I've grown to really love this pen. It has gone all over the world with me, on Airplanes, boats, trains, cars. etc. without any issues. I take it everywhere. I did have to go through a whole box of nibs to find one smooth enough for my tastes, and I use the converter. I like the tough plastic is is made of...bomb proof. I love the versatility of being able to easily change nibs. I love the clip, it just works and works well. It also holds a generous amount of ink, easily enough for a week on the road. The triangular grip is also nice and provides a level of precision that you don't get with a round grip section. It is also very easy to break down and clean thoroughly. Bottom line... it's a fantastic pen. Thank you Hemingway Jones for highlighting this excellent writing instrument.
I love the Lamy Safaris and always have one or two inked. The price is right, thus I travel with them. I really like my handwriting and note taking with their steel nibs. They’re brilliant! I have the old style Al-Stars but their new ones look cool!
I bought one Special Edition Strawberry pen - writes like a dream. Then bought a second one and the nib was definitely sub par - so substituted a black steel nib. This made the writing experience better on the second pen but no where near as creamy. So on the basis of 2 pens - they vary.
Just bought my first safari about a month ago, first fountain pen. I’m in love. I kind of hate writing with anything else now. I’m a history student so I do a lot of writing and the little pressure needed to write feels so much better. Kind of thought about an all star for the looks but I heard they show wear more than the plastic.
Another great video - very informative. Thanks. Yes, I am quite entertained. (Love that scene.) And I also love doodling. I'm surprised how relaxing it is to put ink on paper. Last April, after some research, I went to the local art store to buy my first fountain pen, a Safari. In looking at the colors on the display, one shouted "take me home." It was a Silver-White Al Star. As of today, I have now mysteriously acquired six Lamys (four AL Stars and two LXs) in a variety of nibs and filled with several colors. What a fun hobby.
I do not have a Safari, but I have another model with pear wood spacer. I find the positioning of the nib tip on paper relative to your grip to be absolutely brilliant and unusual. Nothing else is quite the same as the Lamy, not even the MB, Conway Stewart or Graf von Faber Castell Classic compares with this positioning. I agree Hemingway, it is a great pen. I think I am going to pick up an alluminium one soon in addition to my existing one. I would like to buy the gold version nib of Fine or EF if I can, and fit it on the new pen. Enjoy your videos, you have so much class.
Great video. A year ago I got my first safari, tomorrow I will own my second. It's just a happy accident (Bob Ross) that I watched this video the night before.
Well,here I am again, over a week late again in the comments, though I watched the video right after it published. Great vid, the best review I have seen on the Safari family over the decades. Sad to say, I am still among the detractors who still can’t get used to to the Safari. Have 2, both given to me by important people in my lie. I try to ink em up a couple of times a year, but to no avail, preferring to look at them as displays in a glass top pen box. Thanks for a great review.
I’m new to the fountain pen hobby, and thoroughly enjoy your channel! This video was very insightful. I love hearing about the history of all the fountain pen companies. I currently don’t own a Lamy Safari, but am certain I’ll be adding one in the near future. Looking forward to catching up on all your other videos!
My wife has a couple of the standard Safaris. I have the LX which is a bit thicker and a bit more glam features. Love the Marron finish with Herbin Lie De The ink. I replaced the original nib with the Lamy M gold nib. :-)
My complete desk set of AL Stars at the office is an Aquatic with Baystate Blue and a broad gold nib, a Fiery with Oxblood, and a Black with Heart of Darkness, both with cursive nibs. Makes going to work just that little bit more enjoyable.
Thank you as always for a very thoughtful review. I have two or three of these, however I cant use them The grip sends my fingers into cramps within 10 minutes of writing. I keep them to remind me not to buy a fancy color I like and as a comparison for someone to try if they are interested in fountain pens. Some people love this grip, others despise it. I never recommend as a first pen as the grip has turned many people I know away from fountain pens forever. I would love this pen with a round grip, but alas, unless the Chinese do it, it will never be.
I have several Lamy Safari’s, 6 of them with 14K Lamy nibs in various regular and oblique versions. I even successfully converted a Lamy Vista into an eyedropper using a pen body without the opening from a Lamy Safari Rollerball version. Always my go-to pens!
Muchas gracias por tus vídeos y por el tiempo que le dedicas y que nos entretienen. Afortunadamente UA-cam traduce muy bien en subtítulos. Además de encantarme tu canal, me relaja bastante ver tus vídeos. Saludos my friend.
Ref: doodling. There have been studies that found that people taking notes (or even doodling) by hand tend to retain more information from classes and lectures. I find the easy to believe, I find that even my scribbles jog my memory of the material. Probably not surprising, it brings our motor sense into the thought process.
I absolutely love Lamy Nibs... despite not -yet -having any Lamy pens, although I have one of the their inks, the gorgeous resurrected-but-not-the-same-from-old-time Lamy Dark Lilac. And that ink is really Bay-State-Blue-esque in how much it stains everything it is touching! Thanks God I have no pets! I think the metal-one All-Star or one of the special editions Safari would find a welcoming home in my collection.
My Safari is an every single workday carry. It is both sturdy and inexpensive enough that I don't fear either loss or damage -- valid concerns with the more expensive pens in my collection. And I happen to love the things about it that are the most divisive: the grip, the clip, and the ABS body.
I loved my 8 year old Safari but thought I’d try a much more expensive fountain pen-and ended up send it back. I really didn’t like the grip, shape, or weight. I realized the old Safari feels light a lively in my hand, always makes the marks I like, and the grip is like an old friend. So now I have a new All Star Aquatic and a Cherry Blossom Safari and couldn’t be happier. The grip is a winner for my sketching.
Not a fan of the Safari EF nib. It’s not bad, but I prefer Faber-Castell and Twsbi. That said, I have nothing against the design & I appreciate the clear section.
The only fountain pen I use, I find the triangular grip is very comfortable, and being left handed and using the LH nib, I enjoy the writing experience with my Lamy.
Hemingway, when you mentioned enjoying the sound of the Lamy as the point moves over the paper. That reminded me of reading an excerpt from a 19th century diary that I believe was written by George Templeton Strong who created a huge diary over the years in New York City. The writer wrote about enjoying the sound of the pen point scratching on paper. I believe it was also Mr. Strong who wrote about walking past a construction site when a human skull went rolling down a pile of dirt. I was reminded of your desk companion Yorick! You might also be interested in the fiction book "Wild Nights! -- Stories About the Last Days of Poe, Dickinson, Twain, James and Hemingway" by Joyce Carol Oates.
Good one. Nice outro. I just dedicated one of my three Al-stars (medium nib) to be my drawing pen for the summer. It reverse writes well with a thinner line. Two pens in one! I filled it with Rohrer & Klingner SketchINK Lotte (black) hoping it will be waterproof on watercolor paper unlike Noodler’s Black. That binds well with regular paper but not with the sizing in watercolor paper. I used it on a watercolor postcard once. After three days I could still smear it with a finger: loitering on the surface. My only concern is that that Al-star tends to dry out quickly. Incentive to draw/write more often? Or address more envelopes? I enjoyed the Brian Froud FAERIES illustration in your desktop. I dug out my copy of the book. Yours must have been a card from THE FAERIES’ ORACLE. Thanks for the tip. Ordered the book. Thanks for all you have done to increase my enjoyment of fountain pens. Now to spend more time actually using them than watching pen videos.
I may use that outro music more often. People seem to like it. it is pretty. I love that Faerie Art, so beautiful! I have all sort of things in these frames. I try to make them interesting. Thanks so much for your kind words and for being here! All the best!
I have a whole case of them. Cheap without feeling cheap, I have to matchy matchy ink to pen and I’m not going to have an expensive pen in absolutely every color. And being able to switch nibs in a second even while still inked is fantastic.
I'm trying ink pens as an alternative to fine liners for sketching, and I've hopelessly fallen for Lamy fountain pens. I have the Safari M in Umbra, and I've ordered the Al-Star F in Petrol, the Vista, and another Safari F in Black. I'm still deciding on which one to get in red for red ink. And I also love your choice of music, 'Serenade, Op 6, A Far Cry, by Josef Suk'...
Over the decades I have purchased two of these guys (3 if you count the Lamy Joy). They all ended up in the bin - I couldn't get them to write. I guess I got the only two (3) duds, as everybody else on earth adores this pen. De gustibus non est disputandum.
I love my Lamy Safari collection of pens -- different colors of pens with matching ink colors. I have a couple of black ones that are my go-to everyday pens that I carry with me all the time. I bought my first Safari in the early or mid-1980s and still have it, although the top doesn't stay on I can still use it at home. SUGGESTION: In line with your video on Hemingway, writer Shelby Foote used a dip pen to write all his novels and his multi-volume history of the Civil War. Apparently he had a particular Esterbrook nib he liked (Probate 313) and when they were discontinued, he said he bought several gross of them to last his lifetime. ("The Paris Review" November 17, 2014 "Tools of the Trade."). I have done no more "research" than reading the one article and watching an interview on UA-cam; I suspect there may be more. Why did he choose to use a dip pen and not even a fountain pen?
I'm personally choosing the twsbi eco/eco t over this since they're the same price here. I personally think the piston filler will always win me over lol
The Piston fill is awesome. It's also amazing that with the Eco you pretty much get everything there is to experience with fountain pens for an entry level price. Amazing,
@@HemingwayJones Last year I got a crack in the hood, so I wrote to Lamy and asked about the life span. And they were so impressed over nearly 35 years of almost daily use that they sent me a new pen! That's quality and service!! Of course, it have been inked several times.
I have a Safari that’s pushing 30, and a S ballpoint that’s 25 (4th cartridge). - at a x-mas 20ish years ago I clipped a S ballpoint to each stocking (I could afford that)
I got the fiery Al-Star when it came out and was very proud of myself for not buying the acquatic. Well, I just gave in and ordered it. That translucent blue grip section is just too pretty. I´ve been using Safaris since they came out. They took German students by storm back then. Up untiI then Pelikan was the main brand (and Geha e.g. which sadly has vanished). Not fond of the grip but I still enjoy writing with them.
From their unique design to comfortable grip, the Lamy Safari and Al-Star are among my favorite pens. Plus, swapping a nib couldn't be easier. Thank you for researching the interesting history of these wonderful pens.
I have a 10 pen limit. 3 are Lamy Safari. I absolutely love them. The ink window is so helpful. I have converters and usually match the ink to the pen. You're making me want the red aluminum.
Thanks so much! I feel the same way!
I love ink windows, and I'm trying to figure out how a sizable number of my favorite pens ended up without them.
“Overgrown piece of Lego” - love it HJ!
Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Not a huge fan of the design of the Safari/ AL-Star/ Vista family personally, but I really appreciate that they have helped so many people fall into the hobby! ^-^
Hello HJ. Brilliant video. These pens are worth more than they cost. Great value for an inexpensive price. During the history portion of the broadcast, you mentioned Wuppertal in Germany. A dear friend of mine was from there and it brought back wonderful memories. He is no longer with us so memories are all I have. Thanks for reminding me of a great friend. Keep them coming my friend.
Aw, thanks so much, My Friend. I am so sorry for your loss. Wishing you all the best always.
This is the best Lamy safari video I’ve seen! I love the design of these and the grip works very well for me. It’s a great pen for me even when my hands are fatigued because my fingers “land” in the right place.
Thanks very much Allie! I really appreciate it. I am glad you like these as much as I do.
This video was entertaining and informative. When I was in high school in France, all the students wrote with a fountain pen. Those who were in the mathematics section (the best students) all had a Lamy Safari. The others, like me, had a Waterman. The fact that the Lamy didn't use standard cartridges seemed odd to me at the time. Now I love them.
Hello! Thanks for the interesting history of the Safari! Love writing with my plastic ones, as well as the Aquatic, which is very, very nice, also. To me the Safari is like the "Clark Kent" pen, looks kind of boring on the outside, but becomes super pen when writing with it! The easily exchangeable nibs are amazing, too! I know I speak for others when I say I was entertained! Don't throw any swords at me, but if you want to throw a Safari at me, I'll do my best to catch it!
Love the Superman comparison! Thanks for watching.
French people all over the world are shaking their heads! It took me a few seconds to realize what you said. Lol!
I love my Lamy Vista! It wasmy first fountain pen. I love the precision of German engineering, so the Lamy won out over the TWSBI Eco.
Lisa
This was such a beautiful video. I didn't even notice the time going past. So many "long" videos (as opposed to the Shorts) are so boring. Not this one. Thank you for your in depth look at Lamy Safari. I'm subscribing.
Enjoyed this video! I have two Lamy Safari pens, a red nib, and the Kewi Lilac Blackberry nib. Both write great!
I have a Lamy Sufari in black. I love the pen. It’s one of my favorites. Keep up the amazing videos that you do sir.
Thank you very much!
I heard you say a few videos ago someone commented and complained about your museum trips in videos. I just wanted to say thank you for going to those places. I get a lot of inspiration from those places to write also.
HJ, wonderful video of a great pen from Lamy. I have several including the green Safari and those latest two AL-Star's as well. As an Overhanded-Lefty Fountain Pen Writer, these are easy to use. Changing out the nibs is easy and I've been enjoying using the black "LH" nib for Left-Handers for most of my writing, though I do use other Lamy nibs without a problem.
Thanks so much! I’m glad it works for a LH!
I’ve had a multitude of Lamy pens over the years and really enjoyed the background you included of the company. Really interesting information
Thank you very muchI I love Lamy.
As with many here, the Lamy was my first pen. I labored over the color and nib size for months. I chose the white with black fine nib with black accents as it matched my car lol…it is my favorite pen, filled with writer’s blood. It has journaled hundreds of pages with me and helped me through many dark days. I call it my Storm Trooper pen. I hope they never change. The grip fits the way I hold pens so I find it very comfortable.
White with a black fine nib sounds brilliant! Storm Trooper is perfect! I am so glad you have found strength in journaling. Thanks for watching.
As always, your presentation is very well done. I'm a newbie to the fountain pen hobby, but I really love the design of the Safari, which is a masterpiece of simplicity, especially the pocket clip. It is one of smoothest writing pens I've ever used. The overall shape of the pen is vaguely reminiscent of the Parker Duofold, only much more affordable and modern looking.
Thank you very much! I appreciate that. Thanks for watching.
Good video HJ! I love the Safari and Al-Star both...just bought the Itoya Safari and am waiting for it to be delivered :) Cheers!
Hello My Friend! Thanks so much. Let me know what you think of that pen once it arrives.
Love the review. Love the Lamy Safari but I don’t own an AL … now I’m interested. Thank HJ 👍🏻👍🏻
Thank you!!!
I love Lamy Safari and Al-star pens. I love the colors and the fact that you can easily swap nibs out. The reason why I got them in the first place is that I wanted to learn how to swap nibs. Yes, I even have a gold nib on my Dark Lilac, it's an Oblique Medium which I love (why Lamy did you discontinue such a fine writer!) - I don't need to buy all the colors, because some of the early models are soooooooo expensive, but I do have some of them I purchased over the years. Like the red with black clip.
Dear Mr. Jones: I can assure you that many of us were entertained, and I, for one, was certainly entertained! Your great efforts in creating these videos are worthwhile. I am watching the video from the other side of the world - in a different timezone- and still being able to connect to your endearing enthusiasm, and evocative coverage of the pens! Like your videos, its subjects- Lamy Safari, and the Al Star- have wide appeal. They often do not get the love and respect they deserve, and their ready availability prompts one to overlook the ingenuity of the designs as well as the R & D that went behind the products. I had no idea that they were introduced in 1980. Your photo of the Lamy Safari stall during the launching period established the importance of the product to Lamy as a company. Lamy Safari certainly is the face of Lamy, and continues to remain a category leader - staving off cheap competitions (and imitations) from China even in countries (e.g. India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka) where it can be perceived as a pricey pen. I am also intrigued by the fact that Pelikan's school pens (i.e. the Pelikano) are sometimes outgunned by the Safari (even though Pelikano features a more ergonomic grip, and equally sturdy design). Fountain pen aficionados' regard for these pens will deepen after watching your video. Lamy Safari is a testament to the endurance of a design philosophy which outlasted much vaunted designs like the Sheaffer Targa and Parker 75, and will continue to define what a robust writing instrument really is!
@@shamimehsanulhaque3555 Thank you very much for your kind reply and excellent comment. I agree completely and I don’t know why the Pelikano doesn’t get more respect. Perhaps because it is smaller and used by fewer adults? I don’t know. Thanks so much for watching and for sharing your perspective.
My first fountain pen (for grown up person) was Lamy safari black. Till today this is my best one. Greetings ✒️🖐️
Wonderful! Thanks so much for watching. Great pen!
What a fascinating and beautiful video, Hem! Like many people the Safari was my first real fountain pen… and it still surprises me how nicely it writes!
Rght!? It is absolutely brilliant!
Superb video editing on this Hemingway! My Lamy Safari Al-star has a special place in my heart as it’s the pen which rekindled my passion for fountain pens after a long hiatus. Really great video which has me thinking about whether I could do with another Safari in the collection…an all white one perhaps…with a stub nib…hmm…
White is nice! I love mine. Thanks for watching!
Love my safaris, too! And Lego! Only problem is I have too many of each and still enjoy new releases. The pens are far easier to store! Awesome video!
I’ve never stepped on a Safari! Is it painful! 😂
The Al Star is the penultimate writing instrument! Your video compelled me to purchase the Aquatic impulsively. My 3rd to go with the Petrol and Black. Sam Flax in Atlanta will do a nib swap when you buy from them. They have the Black nibs and I had them put it on the Black Al Star. I bought the Petrol when it came with a matching pouch. For the money, I don’t believe you can get a cooler, penultimate pen that does what you ask it to do. Wonderful video.😊
Thank you very much! All the best with your new pen and thanks for watching!
I have a couple of Lamy Safaris, but I have to say, they are by far the scratchiest of all my fountain pens. I love the way they look; they are truly iconic pens and easily identifiable by the grip and clip. I really like the clip actually although I know many people don't.
I prefer the AL-star (gorgeous but still scratchy, though. I have the fine and extra fine nibs), so I have a few of these in the rollerball version instead.
I like the look of my Lamy's and the Safari was the first fountain pen I ever bought. I only wish the performance was better though. They are my least-used fountain pens but my most-used rollerballs. I didn't like the ugly two-tone colours that came out this year, but my AL-star in black-purple is a thing of beauty.
Great video as always.
That’s such a shame. I have had much better luck. I specially love that calligraphy nib. There are brands that let me down so I completely understand.
I just got to see some the first time IRL yesterday. They were probably both mediums and so smooth especially compared to the Pilot Preras
An AL Star was my first fountain pen. i bought it at Selfridges in London so it'll always have a special place in my heart an hand!
Very cool! Great place to get one.
I haven’t dropped any cash on a Lamy Safari-yet. I did get a beautiful blue Studio, though. I think it’s aluminium? Not sure, but I love that pen. After watching your video about the Kaweco Sport Bronze, I actually ordered one. It came in the mail from Atlas Stationers this morning. It is *chef’s kiss*! Collecting fountain pens is a new hobby for me, and I am alarmed at how much I’ve spent so far! 😂 I think I’ll move into the rabbit hole of inks for awhile. Cheers! K
Congratulations on the Bronze! Well done! I’ve done at least two videos on that one. Very nice! Thanks for watching.
A wonderfully presented video and review. Enjoyed hearing the history of the pen and some of Lamy's history as a company. Looks like they did a fantastic job on both models. That's a beautiful looking knife too. The Lamy safari was my first fountain pen and will always have a special place is my collection. Still one of my favorites to write with. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much for watching! I appreciate it! I am into pocket knives and other knives too! I see by your screen name, that’s your area of interest as well. Thanks so much and all the best!
Thank you for yet another magnificent video 🙏. I am certainly entertained - and educated! I love my Safaris! I have eight by now, and they’re in constant rotation. Perfect for those of us who love matching pen & ink. I have the yellow, petrol, blue macaron, powder rose, terra red, savannah green, cream, and Itoya grey/copper. Wasn’t it great that they reissued the two original safari colors for the last anniversary?
Thanks so much for watching and for the kind words! It was awesome that they rereleased the original colors, but I didn't pick one up! I should have. Maybe I'll see one at the DC Pen Show! Thanks very much!
Appreciate the background. Did not realize that the Safari was such a new pen. For no reason I always imagined it was designed/invented in the 1950-60s. I still like your Pitch Meeting for the Safari better.
I swore I would never buy a LAMY Safari because I couldn't stand the clip! (It looks like a broken paper clip.) But, then I received one in a Mystery Box, and then they released one in a pretty pink, and I relented! Now I have 3!
Wonderful! That is a great Safari story!
Great video, HJ. Thanks. I need to get a couple more Lamy's since I gave mine to my grandbabies. I didn't have any problems with them.
I mailed a letter to you this morning.
I love the ergonomic grip on the Safari. Fingers just fall into a good writing position and comfortably stay there. I also enjoy the satisfying 'click' when you apply the cap.
@@FlightEagle Yes! Definitely highlights!
Even as a self-admitted Pilot and Japanese pen marques fanboy-who owns far too many of them- I must admit that my Lamy Safari is one of my favorite pens to use. I love the ease of swapping nibs, the excellent converter that bests its closest Pilot peer, the lovely color options, and the ergonomics. Most of all, I appreciate how versatile the Safari is with different viscosities of inks (unlike Pilot Pens, which do not like dry or average flow inks), which is perfect for those who love sampling. My Safari has a medium point nib and is gloss white with stone grey accents, just like Mr. Jones’, and my Al-Star is Ocean Blue with a medium nib. I love to practice Kanji as a hobby, so perhaps I should consider the Cursive Nib.
Like many of us, a Lamy Safari was one of my first FPs. I sort of graduated to the 2K, but am happy that they continue to make affordable funky entry level EDCs.
I haven't take this pen seriously before your review, Hemingway, but will now order both the red and blue that you've shown us. They look like lots of fun!
Thanks very much! I hope you like them.
When I first saw a Lamy Safari in the 80's, I just didn't like the look of it or that clip. Years later, I researched them and ended up buying one in Charcoal Black. Since then, I've grown to really love this pen. It has gone all over the world with me, on Airplanes, boats, trains, cars. etc. without any issues. I take it everywhere. I did have to go through a whole box of nibs to find one smooth enough for my tastes, and I use the converter. I like the tough plastic is is made of...bomb proof. I love the versatility of being able to easily change nibs. I love the clip, it just works and works well. It also holds a generous amount of ink, easily enough for a week on the road. The triangular grip is also nice and provides a level of precision that you don't get with a round grip section. It is also very easy to break down and clean thoroughly. Bottom line... it's a fantastic pen. Thank you Hemingway Jones for highlighting this excellent writing instrument.
This is an awesome pen story! Thank you!
I love the Lamy Safaris and always have one or two inked. The price is right, thus I travel with them. I really like my handwriting and note taking with their steel nibs. They’re brilliant! I have the old style Al-Stars but their new ones look cool!
That Aquatic is a gorgeous color!!!
Isn’t it, though!? They did a nice job with it.
I bought one Special Edition Strawberry pen - writes like a dream. Then bought a second one and the nib was definitely sub par - so substituted a black steel nib. This made the writing experience better on the second pen but no where near as creamy. So on the basis of 2 pens - they vary.
Just bought my first safari about a month ago, first fountain pen. I’m in love. I kind of hate writing with anything else now. I’m a history student so I do a lot of writing and the little pressure needed to write feels so much better. Kind of thought about an all star for the looks but I heard they show wear more than the plastic.
Another great video - very informative. Thanks.
Yes, I am quite entertained. (Love that scene.) And I also love doodling. I'm surprised how relaxing it is to put ink on paper.
Last April, after some research, I went to the local art store to buy my first fountain pen, a Safari. In looking at the colors on the display, one shouted "take me home." It was a Silver-White Al Star.
As of today, I have now mysteriously acquired six Lamys (four AL Stars and two LXs) in a variety of nibs and filled with several colors. What a fun hobby.
Great Video! I got my first Lamy Safari in red when I was in school in the early 1990s. I loved it a lot and still own it and use it. ❤😂
Thank you so much!
I do not have a Safari, but I have another model with pear wood spacer. I find the positioning of the nib tip on paper relative to your grip to be absolutely brilliant and unusual. Nothing else is quite the same as the Lamy, not even the MB, Conway Stewart or Graf von Faber Castell Classic compares with this positioning. I agree Hemingway, it is a great pen. I think I am going to pick up an alluminium one soon in addition to my existing one. I would like to buy the gold version nib of Fine or EF if I can, and fit it on the new pen. Enjoy your videos, you have so much class.
Great video. A year ago I got my first safari, tomorrow I will own my second. It's just a happy accident (Bob Ross) that I watched this video the night before.
Nice! thanks Enjoy. You cannot get enough Safari.
Yes and I just got my very first lamy Safari today in blue I love it
Well,here I am again, over a week late again in the comments, though I watched the video right after it published. Great vid, the best review I have seen on the Safari family over the decades. Sad to say, I am still among the detractors who still can’t get used to to the Safari. Have 2, both given to me by important people in my lie. I try to ink em up a couple of times a year, but to no avail, preferring to look at them as displays in a glass top pen box. Thanks for a great review.
I am just glad you are here!
A Lamy Safari was my first fountain pen and it remains one of my favorites. I’m up to five Safari/AL-Star/Vistas. These two are lovely colors.
They are amazing pens!
I’m new to the fountain pen hobby, and thoroughly enjoy your channel! This video was very insightful. I love hearing about the history of all the fountain pen companies. I currently don’t own a Lamy Safari, but am certain I’ll be adding one in the near future. Looking forward to catching up on all your other videos!
My wife has a couple of the standard Safaris. I have the LX which is a bit thicker and a bit more glam features. Love the Marron finish with Herbin Lie De The ink. I replaced the original nib with the Lamy M gold nib. :-)
That sounds very nice! Also, excellent ink pairing!
Lovely video HJ. Very bright and uplifting, thanks!
Thank you!
My complete desk set of AL Stars at the office is an Aquatic with Baystate Blue and a broad gold nib, a Fiery with Oxblood, and a Black with Heart of Darkness, both with cursive nibs. Makes going to work just that little bit more enjoyable.
Thank you as always for a very thoughtful review. I have two or three of these, however I cant use them The grip sends my fingers into cramps within 10 minutes of writing. I keep them to remind me not to buy a fancy color I like and as a comparison for someone to try if they are interested in fountain pens. Some people love this grip, others despise it. I never recommend as a first pen as the grip has turned many people I know away from fountain pens forever. I would love this pen with a round grip, but alas, unless the Chinese do it, it will never be.
The Lamy Expedition Forever!
I feel like im watching a legit History Channel documentary like the editing/writing is insane how good hahah
Thank you so much! This is what I am aiming for! Thank you!
I have several Lamy Safari’s, 6 of them with 14K Lamy nibs in various regular and oblique versions. I even successfully converted a Lamy Vista into an eyedropper using a pen body without the opening from a Lamy Safari Rollerball version. Always my go-to pens!
You have unlocked Legend Status! Wow!
Muchas gracias por tus vídeos y por el tiempo que le dedicas y que nos entretienen. Afortunadamente UA-cam traduce muy bien en subtítulos. Además de encantarme tu canal, me relaja bastante ver tus vídeos. Saludos my friend.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words and all of your kind support. I am so glad the subtitles are doing their job!
Ref: doodling. There have been studies that found that people taking notes (or even doodling) by hand tend to retain more information from classes and lectures. I find the easy to believe, I find that even my scribbles jog my memory of the material.
Probably not surprising, it brings our motor sense into the thought process.
I agree completely!
Currently using my 2024 special edition Lamy Safari Violet Blackberry filled with Scribo Notturno Viola ink - it's a neat pairing.
That sounds like an amazing pairing. Thanks for watching!
I absolutely love Lamy Nibs... despite not -yet -having any Lamy pens, although I have one of the their inks, the gorgeous resurrected-but-not-the-same-from-old-time Lamy Dark Lilac. And that ink is really Bay-State-Blue-esque in how much it stains everything it is touching! Thanks God I have no pets!
I think the metal-one All-Star or one of the special editions Safari would find a welcoming home in my collection.
Wonderful. Thank you so much. I love that ink too! Despite myself.
I absolutely love your tarot card background!
Thank you! I appreciate your noticing.
My Daughter just gifted me the Aquatic Al Star for my Birthday with an extra stub nib. It is a fantasticly comfortable pen to write with
A very nice gift! Safaris make excellent gifts. Thanks!
My Safari is an every single workday carry. It is both sturdy and inexpensive enough that I don't fear either loss or damage -- valid concerns with the more expensive pens in my collection. And I happen to love the things about it that are the most divisive: the grip, the clip, and the ABS body.
Wonderful! Thanks so much for watching.
Always been a Safari fan ( they are like old friends
Right! Mac N’ Cheese Pens!
I really enjoyed the history and artistic floating pens! Thanks!
I loved my 8 year old Safari but thought I’d try a much more expensive fountain pen-and ended up send it back. I really didn’t like the grip, shape, or weight. I realized the old Safari feels light a lively in my hand, always makes the marks I like, and the grip is like an old friend. So now I have a new All Star Aquatic and a Cherry Blossom Safari and couldn’t be happier. The grip is a winner for my sketching.
i have 3 Lamy Safari's and love them all!!!
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
What a performance. Felt like standing up and applauding when video ended.
Thank you so much! That is so kind.
Loved the video and I love my AL stars. Special mention for the Vista it is just fun.
Not a fan of the Safari EF nib. It’s not bad, but I prefer Faber-Castell and Twsbi.
That said, I have nothing against the design & I appreciate the clear section.
You know, I have never tried it. I am not a big EF guy, although lately I have been writing with more of them. I’ll have to try. Thanks!
Another HJ classic. This kind of pen review is what a good pen review should be-informative, creative, and visually stunning. Stay classy, HJ
Thank you very very much! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Love the video H.J. Thanjs
Thank you!
The only fountain pen I use, I find the triangular grip is very comfortable, and being left handed and using the LH nib, I enjoy the writing experience with my Lamy.
Awesome! Great to know. Thanks for watching.
Hemingway, when you mentioned enjoying the sound of the Lamy as the point moves over the paper. That reminded me of reading an excerpt from a 19th century diary that I believe was written by George Templeton Strong who created a huge diary over the years in New York City. The writer wrote about enjoying the sound of the pen point scratching on paper. I believe it was also Mr. Strong who wrote about walking past a construction site when a human skull went rolling down a pile of dirt. I was reminded of your desk companion Yorick!
You might also be interested in the fiction book "Wild Nights! -- Stories About the Last Days of Poe, Dickinson, Twain, James and Hemingway" by Joyce Carol Oates.
Good one. Nice outro. I just dedicated one of my three Al-stars (medium nib) to be my drawing pen for the summer. It reverse writes well with a thinner line. Two pens in one! I filled it with Rohrer & Klingner SketchINK Lotte (black) hoping it will be waterproof on watercolor paper unlike Noodler’s Black. That binds well with regular paper but not with the sizing in watercolor paper. I used it on a watercolor postcard once. After three days I could still smear it with a finger: loitering on the surface. My only concern is that that Al-star tends to dry out quickly. Incentive to draw/write more often? Or address more envelopes?
I enjoyed the Brian Froud FAERIES illustration in your desktop. I dug out my copy of the book. Yours must have been a card from THE FAERIES’ ORACLE. Thanks for the tip. Ordered the book.
Thanks for all you have done to increase my enjoyment of fountain pens. Now to spend more time actually using them than watching pen videos.
I may use that outro music more often. People seem to like it. it is pretty. I love that Faerie Art, so beautiful! I have all sort of things in these frames. I try to make them interesting. Thanks so much for your kind words and for being here! All the best!
I have a whole case of them. Cheap without feeling cheap, I have to matchy matchy ink to pen and I’m not going to have an expensive pen in absolutely every color. And being able to switch nibs in a second even while still inked is fantastic.
Wow, do you really?! That is so fun! Thanks for the great comment.
We are planning on visiting the flagship store in SoHo when we visit NYC in September.
That sounds like fun! I wanted to, but it was a bit far afield from where I was. Have a wonderful time.
Of the fountain pens that I have my Lamy Safari is my daily writer, 7 days a week.
Brilliant!
I'm trying ink pens as an alternative to fine liners for sketching, and I've hopelessly fallen for Lamy fountain pens. I have the Safari M in Umbra, and I've ordered the Al-Star F in Petrol, the Vista, and another Safari F in Black. I'm still deciding on which one to get in red for red ink.
And I also love your choice of music, 'Serenade, Op 6, A Far Cry, by Josef Suk'...
YES, I AM ENTERTAINED ! VERY !
RS. CANADA
Richard! Thank you!
Over the decades I have purchased two of these guys (3 if you count the Lamy Joy). They all ended up in the bin - I couldn't get them to write. I guess I got the only two (3) duds, as everybody else on earth adores this pen. De gustibus non est disputandum.
Safari is a favorite!
Hear, hear!
That audible click, aaah, satisfying. Now, write!
Yes! I love that!
I love my Lamy Safari collection of pens -- different colors of pens with matching ink colors. I have a couple of black ones that are my go-to everyday pens that I carry with me all the time. I bought my first Safari in the early or mid-1980s and still have it, although the top doesn't stay on I can still use it at home.
SUGGESTION: In line with your video on Hemingway, writer Shelby Foote used a dip pen to write all his novels and his multi-volume history of the Civil War. Apparently he had a particular Esterbrook nib he liked (Probate 313) and when they were discontinued, he said he bought several gross of them to last his lifetime. ("The Paris Review" November 17, 2014 "Tools of the Trade."). I have done no more "research" than reading the one article and watching an interview on UA-cam; I suspect there may be more. Why did he choose to use a dip pen and not even a fountain pen?
Shelby sounds like a romantic! Love it! I am sure I will be doing more in that series. Thanks for watching.
love the safari type pens
i own 11 lamy's in total
2 safaris
2 al-stars
1 LX (second hand not worth it new IMO)
forgot to mention two joys with stubs
Very nice indeed ! Thank you for your video
Thanks for watching!
I'm personally choosing the twsbi eco/eco t over this since they're the same price here. I personally think the piston filler will always win me over lol
Wow. The grip colors are kind of swaying me a little. Might have to buy these in the future
The Piston fill is awesome. It's also amazing that with the Eco you pretty much get everything there is to experience with fountain pens for an entry level price. Amazing,
My first was the dark red with black nib and clip. It was 1986. Now I have around 20 Safari and AL-Star's.
Awesome! Long time user! Well done!
@@HemingwayJones Last year I got a crack in the hood, so I wrote to Lamy and asked about the life span. And they were so impressed over nearly 35 years of almost daily use that they sent me a new pen! That's quality and service!! Of course, it have been inked several times.
"Overgrown piece of LEGO" lol I love it!
Thanks very much!
Awesome, informative video
Thank you!
I have a Safari that’s pushing 30, and a S ballpoint that’s 25 (4th cartridge). - at a x-mas 20ish years ago I clipped a S ballpoint to each stocking (I could afford that)
There was a moment there you started channeling Mr. Rogers! 😀
Not beyond the realm of possibilities!
I bought 2 an al star and safari i absolutely love them i wish the colors i had were metal and not plastic. Got them in last few days.
“Are you not entertained!?” Is a lovely passive aggressive quote for testing pens!
Any occasion I can work Maximus in!
How would you compare this to the Diplomat Magnum ? They look similar.
Sadly, I don’t have a Diplomat Magnum. Hopefully, I’ll get one. Thanks!
The charcoal Safari was my 2nd fountain pen right after the Pilot Metropolitan.
Brilliant choice!
Nice! What paper are you using? The dotted one interests me more.
That is Rhodia Touch. Great stuff!
I got the fiery Al-Star when it came out and was very proud of myself for not buying the acquatic. Well, I just gave in and ordered it. That translucent blue grip section is just too pretty. I´ve been using Safaris since they came out. They took German students by storm back then. Up untiI then Pelikan was the main brand (and Geha e.g. which sadly has vanished). Not fond of the grip but I still enjoy writing with them.
Thanks very much! Those clear grips are so nice! Thanks!
I don't think I'll ever have a Safari! But i watch3d this video 😂
Hemingway, could you tell me about the knife you used to open the pen boxes?
Sure! That is a Helle! An amazing fixed blade knife.