I Was Wrong About This Pen. Now I Have A Problem. | Lamy Safari and Friends

My review of the pen I didn't think I'd even buy, much less like. I was wrong. I've also included a rundown of some well-known wanna-be-Lamy-Safaris to see how they stack up against the real deal.
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JG3 Reviews
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[@DeputatKaktus]

In Germany the Safari is very popular in primary schools (together with Pelikan pens). This is probably also the reason it does not come with a converter. No good has ever come from handing and inkwell and a converter to a 9 year old.

[@PeetersC14]

😂 🤣😂

[@edzejandehaan9265]

@@manabellum indian ink in fountainpens? Good thing tbey were so cheap😉

[@deezem5294]

@@edzejandehaan9265 indian ink is not india ink.

[@edzejandehaan9265]

@@deezem5294 Riiight. I have a bottle of Winsor and Newton Indian ink standing right in front of me. The label clearly reads IndiaN, and it is the kind of black waterproof pigment based ink you really don't want to put in a fountain pen.

[@hannahplumleymycarnivaladd6365]

You can purchase them though

[@4pedos]

I respect people who have the guts to apologize. It takes a lot of bravery to say "I was wrong"

[@Turbostiewen]

In german elementary schools, writing with a fountain pen was and still is mandatory. Back in the 80ies, when I went to school, Lamy launched the ergonomic designed Safari for children from 5 to 10 years. Until then, kids had the choice between the Pelikan "Pelikano" and a similar designed Geha fountain pen, which had no tripod-forcing grip. The Safari was the most expensive of the above mentioned pens, so we had three categories of fountain pens in Elementary School: Geha=poor, Pelikan=average and Lamy=rich parents. Many german fountain pen enthusiasts don't like the Safari, because it reminds them at their school time.

[@nerdcm355]

That is quite interesting!

[@silkenpaw]

LOL, I don’t know how old you are, but in Poland in the 1960s, I learned to write with a dip pen and continued to use one until I left the country in 1967. (Comes from living in a “third world” country - we were too poor to buy fountain pens for children). I imagine I would have “graduated” to a fountain pen eventually, but as it was, I didn’t pick one up until my college days :)

[@avaDesdemona]

YES! Except where I lived geha was pretty much not available. And if you had one you had a hard time finding cartridges for it. Lamy had the wood student pen out when I was in about 6th grade (might have been sooner, but I didn't see it before then). That wasn't strictly "rich kids" it was "rich öko kids" :-D

[@thomasdonlin5456]

In 1971 I was in fourth grade in a Catholic school. We used fountain pens. I had a Shaeffer. They were $1.79 at Walgreens.

[@Turbostiewen]

@@avaDesdemona I also remember that the Lamy abc came out several years after the Safari. But when this happened, my elemantary school days were almost over. The wooden barrel indeed made it the "Öko"-choice... :D

[@comfortablynumb6118]

For some reason that pen fits perfectly in my fantasy of sitting in nature with a notebook and a pen and just writing down random thoughts. Such a wholesome moment that I don't imagine with any other pen. I love the clip and it seems to me like an adventurer's pen.

[@DragonsinGenesisPodcast]

The Safari is a perfect intro pen. The triangular grip teaches new users to hold the fountain pen in the correct orientation. The ink window provides some utility and excitement. The material is super durable. The cap snaps on firmly. The nibs can be swapped in seconds. The writing is smooth. And the pen lasts forever. It’s a perfect ambassador pen to lend anyone who is interested in fountain pens. And it’s a great daily writer.

[@bkr_vids]

I grew up in Germany, where you have to learn how to use a fountain pen in school, ballpoints or others aren’t allowed. I was a Pelikan user for years, and had resigned myself to the fact that they ‘just break’ after a few months, I thought it must have been me, my grip, who knew. I saw a class mate use a Safari one day and liked the design (I’ve always been drawn to Bauhaus and modernism, even at a young age). I asked my mother to get me one, and this pen did not only write better, but it lasted! I still have it. Since then I have been a Lamy guy. I use a studio as my daily driver for work, I love this brand and will ALWAYS recommend it.

[@xfranczeskax]

People, stop talking the LAMY down because of it's price. It's actually made in Germany. You know, workers wages, protection laws, welfare payments and the like don't come at zero cost. It's hypocritical to compare it with the cheapness of it's Jinhao rip-off. (And you seem to forget that comes at a price too, just one you don't have to pay.)

[@DJDarkGift]

F_ Agreed. I always say that if you want the best out there, buy German, regardless of what it is.

[@haraldschuster3067]

Well, it's 19,90 € including a 19% VAT over here in Germany. So it's affordable. It just get's excessively expensive when it's sold outside of Germany. It does not hit the more expensive Lamy models in the same way but the cheapest of the lot is excessively expensive outside of Germany.

[@DJDarkGift]

I wish I had the opportunity to learn with a fountain pen as a child like they do in Germany. By the time I had left high school I was printing everything I wrote and recently started working on it again to the point where it's the best it's ever been and makes writing with the fountain pen that much more enjoyable. Thanks guys for your great comments.

[@xfranczeskax]

@@haraldschuster3067 You're right about that. I personally would not say the model is so special you'd need to buy it overseas, considering there's equally good locally manifactured pens in many places. But that's a weird side-effect of gloabilazion, I guess.

[@LGTVQHD]

Ummm..... Pilot metro ? With just half the price ? With metal finish ?

[@scottmdavis652]

I have a Lamy Safari pen from the 80s and it still works fine

[@aviXex]

😶

[@hannahplumleymycarnivaladd6365]

Just got the Special Edition version of the 80s one that’s modelled on that one I love it

[@sheikhalsaid]

Yongsheng is the mandarin name of wing sung. It is wing sung. Youpin/You Ping is the name of the factory where yongsheng (wing sung), majohn (moon man), wingS, Jin hao, baoer, lambitou, Kaco and a few others are all made white label then their names stamped on … basically they are all the same manufactured pens with different logos on them. Also: lambitou/Lanbitou is mandarin transliteration for Lamy 2 - they started off only making lamy fakes. Lamb (lam) (n and m are interchangeable) i = y and tou = 2.

[@headofficetlb1404]

It’s the same Chinese characters - Cantonese and mandarins use the same characters but pronounce them differently. Wing Sung is the Cantonese pronunciation - but it’s he same name, same brand, same company and same spelling in Cantonese/Mandarin. Youping is a white label manufacturer of a very wide array of goods not just pens. Pen related: Muji is Japanese, short for mujirushi Ryohin (which will be on your receipts) which means “unbranded, quality goods” thus muji simply means - unbranded as their style is “no waste, no brand”

[@paulmcwilliams1709]

I purchased a Lamy Safari pen with a fine nib but I got a extra fine nib to put on the pen and I have to say that I love the way it writes! The thing I love the most is the fact that Lamy pens are made in Heidelberg Germany and I was born in Heidelberg Germany too! Auf Wedersehen!

[@jesserayshaftoe7433]

The cross on the finial denotes a fountain pen. The ballpoint and rollerball pens have different markins so you can distinguish them without uncapping

[@Enrico-]

I mean you can distinguish them anyway. The rollerball doesn't have the ink window and the ballpoint looks nothing alike the other 2.

[@gamerboy4566]

I had a good laugh the moment you mentioned 'the great big giant obnoxious clip'. For me it was the clip that attracted me to this pen. The best clip in the world (in my eyes, that is) 🙂

[@TraSea72]

Me too, I love the clip. Great... and much easier to clip inside my purse or bag. Don't have to fumble trying to get my fingers gripped onto a smaller clip.

[@gustavoalonzo7056]

I have several pens including Mont Blanc, Parker, Rotring and of course Lamy. I used them mainly for sketching and my to go pen is the Lamy Safari (charcoal). I love them.

[@nickmason279]

I have a Mont Blanc Meisterstuck that I've had since I started college 40 years ago that my parents bought me, I use every day and it's sublime. I also have a Lamy Safari that I use when I'm out of the office on a dig site, not wanting to risk anything happening to my treasured pen. It's the Aluminum Safari finished in Orange and I love it. Pens are a very personal thing but I find the Safari every bit as good to use as the Mont Blanc. I know not everyone will agree and that's as it should be but my rule is buy a pen on how it writes, not how much it costs.

[@JG3Reviews]

Agreed. Preferences are very personal, and value isn't math alone.

[@gesa5187]

Montblanc, one word.

[@sweetpea22000]

Nick Mason well said

[@williamyuen7139]

Yongsheng - Wing Sung, they are the same two characters in Chinese; one pronounced in mandarin and the other pronounced in cantonese.

[@exzeroex]

Aluminum body and the smoke colored plastic section is like the Lamy Al Star and the little o-ring being on the barrel is also like the Al Star. And color matching is difficult different batches. I wonder if Turmaline is an off batch of turquoise and pacific

[@fastcharlie4054]

That clip is really convenient if you want to carry a pen in a pocket. Our son is in middle school and loves his safari. He’s probably one of the only kids at his school who uses a fountain pen and it’s always handy in the front pocket of his pants. The clip is just so easy and functional.

[@MartaZobeniak]

Greetings from a Lamy fan from Poland - I began with an Al-Star in fact, now I also have the Safari, Vista, Logo, Studio... and the 2000! All of them have their place and purpose, all of them are cherished and used. I didn't even see the need to get or use the clones/homages, even though I did buy a couple of these plastic Jinhaos to penable a kid from my family - and he loved it (BTW, they also come with a hooded nib, if you happen to like that.)

[@sharonoddlyenough]

I have had my bright red Lamy Safari for just over a month, and I like it. I think it's a decent intro to the fountain pen world. It's my first pen, and I bought it because I want to draw more with ink, I like that it is less wasteful than single use pens, and dip pens are not so convenient. The clip keeps it secure in the spiral binding of my sketch book, so I don't mind it. It was recommended by a popular professional artist. I have no regrets, but I'll be starting a collection, because I want to try others, and it would be nice to have a selection of ink colours ready to use. Edit: because I live in Canada, the Amazon Basics pen will take until March 10th to arrive.

[@EyeHeartNOLA]

I bought a LAMY Safari from a local stationery store that was going out of business. I love it. I changed the nib to a Lamy calligraphy nib because I use it to sign contracts and I feel that it makes it look more unique.

[@Argyll9846]

I've had my Lamy Safari for over 20 years and it's a great pen. It feels just right in my hand and I love drawing with it.

[@PensForDoodling]

The Lamy Safari has a special place in my heart as my wife bought me my first one (the Lime Green special edition) for a birthday as I wanted to get back into fountain pens. I love the pen, it's wonderful to draw with but like you, I HATE the pocket clip. To be fair though, I hate all pocket clips as I have no use for them. It's nice to watch other people's fountain pen reviews. Yours are great. The Lamy LX Marron is absolutely gorgeous (I reviewed it recently) and should still be available if you shop around. I was surprised to see it's already attracting imitators from Chinese manufacturers.

[@lucianasser]

I used fountain pens all my life due to my dad's influence, haha. I have a really hard time writing down with ordinary pens because of the way I write and the way I position my hand on paper. It is hard to find fountain pen enthusiasts and I'm glad the community seems to be growing. I didn't know the channel before but I already subscribed to it. I really like the content and your reviews are great! By the way, I am a big fan of Lamy Safari. I have colorful ones to keep them filled with colorful inks, haha!

[@ChristopheJammet]

it's the swatch of fountain pens, and i mean that in a good way.

[@martinjohnson4405]

I picked up my first Lamy Safari in the early 1980s and my Safari and Al-Star pens are workhorses for me. I have purchased far more expensive pens over the years, but have not enjoyed writing with them as much as my Safari pens. My primary use is writing letters and journaling and it is not so expensive that I have any qualms about carrying a Safari to a coffee shop or travel with it. I like the minimalist Bauhaus design out of which the Safari comes. I find the form of the clip functional as it is easy to put in a pocket of a thick shirt or jacket and on the leather piece on the elastic band on my travel journal.

[@jhmnfgs4989]

Hi! In my memories u can unscrew the cross on the cap and remove the metal clip, but it's nice to open with one hand with ure thumb. Hope U read, enjoy!

[@HJKelley47]

Genuine Lamy Safari fountain pens are also sold by Amazon, JetPens, Goulet Pens, Vanness Pens and Anderson Pens. Let us not forget Pen Chalet!!!!

[@pc50547]

The Lamy is a student pen. The symbol on top of the cap changes with the type of pen. I own a Lamy safari stylus, fountain pen, roller ball pen,…all the share the same body. Love them all. My fancy pen is a Lamy 2000. The handgrip is great if you pick up and put down your pen a lot.

[@pc50547]

Lamy quality is worth the cost.

[@pc50547]

The Lamy 2000 is beautiful, the Safari is practical

[@wendywander7]

Like you, I didn't care for the design of the Lamy Safari or Al-Star. Then they came out with my favorite color (Dark Lilac), and my sister gave it to me for my birthday. I write a lot, and I'm also a calligrapher; I quickly realized being able to swap nibs while the pen is inked gave this pen a big advantage over every other pen in my collection. The more I wrote with it, the more I loved how great it feels. I purchased the purple Al-Star, and they're in constant use. I had not tried any of the knock-offs, and your review was very interesting to me. Thank you.

[@13noman1]

It's nice to see/hear a mea culpa! Diogenes must be smiling to find an honest man. I'm of mixed opinions on the Safari line. I have a few and an Al-Star (sorry to see how easily the finish rubs off). I always have at least one inked up, love how easy the nib swaps are, I'm fine with the section and even the clip. I mostly think of these as my "summer pens" (easy to slip into the placket of a polo-style shirt). I think the thing I like least about them is the converter. It doesn't leak but it's honestly a little hard to operate (even after greasing up).

[@iAPX432]

I have 2 Safari, as I begin my journey on fountain pen, and they are of incredible great value, I already had high-quality notebooks from France and Japan. Vélin of different density or kraft paper. I used german ballpoints pen, including MontBlanc. I bought converters, and also Pilot inks (Yama-guri & Momiji), and the result is overwhelming. In fact I would love a Safari in resin and gold nib, a luxury version! Nota bene: I used fountain pen from 7 to 10 y/o at school, decades ago. Not a great experience.

[@friendstype25]

The Lamy Al-Star incorporates the plastic ring into the barrel. You can swap barrels with a Safari if you bring the ring over.

[@SJ72BE]

The safari is much better than the best reviews it ever received My go-to pen!

[@susanwright134]

Ha, The clip is what drew me to the Lamy pen!! I love them. Nice review

[@TheYupibear123]

Wing Sung and Yong Sheng are both the same company 永生, but just are the different transliterations of the pronunciation of the words in the local dialect and standard mandarin respectively.

[@deezem5294]

I belive its Cantonese but correct me if I am wrong.

[@JimIBobIJones]

Lamy's nib and feed system is pretty much identical across most of its lines - even their high end lines (except for the 2000 and its hooded nibs) use the same system just with gold instead of steel nibs - so you are getting the same fundamental performance as their more expensive pens at a much more accessible pricepoint. Also the clip is an awesome example of classic Bauhaus, one of the most appealing things about the safari IMHO.

[@henrykg]

I have Jinhao 777. Do not like them, but use with red and green ink for titles so used from time to time are ok. For longer writes I still prefer Platinum Preppy - this is a real workhorse.

[@loondabo9207]

Lovely walkthrough. I learned a lot about a pen I've been using for art for half a year. I use a gold nib unknown model inoxcrom for writing so it was a scary step to try a new one! Already bought two more alum lamis for more art.......

[@charleshotchkiss1813]

The O-ring is to prevent over tightening of the tail to the section.

[@xlerb2286]

Good review on the Lamy and clones. Glad to hear you think it's a good pen. And I hear you on needing a dryer pen sometimes. In college I used a Lamy 2000 that ran dryer than it should. But it worked well for me as I could use the standard notebook paper from the college bookstore without much trouble with bleeding.

[@Wolverine3660]

I like the Lamy Safari too, but, recently I have gotten to like the Lamy Al-Star fp better, so, I carry 2 Al-Stars along with my other pens. These Lamy pens are very well made, fully functional pens

[@LucyLu_meztli]

Hold on, minute 6 and this video already has two things I love: someone saying “I was wrong” cause that takes strength, honesty, and humbleness; the second thing, a shout out to México! loving it 😬

[@cheekyauschick]

Fell over you on this Sat morning, Mr Chicken Foot..Gawwd you make me smile AT SUCH A HORRID TIME FOR THE ENTIRE WORLD. Thank god for peeps like you and your funny review... well done...

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks, grateful to pass on a laugh!

[@sanjayshetty5640]

When I lived in India, I used a Camel fountain pen. Used to pour the ink directly into the barrel, no eyedropper.

[@juanalbertojimenezdelira2651]

So funny, you know... I lost my lamy 2000 and today walking thru a store and thought... You know, I miss my lamy... But did not wanted to pay all that extra for the 2000 so I got a new lamy safary... I think this is my 11th safary and still I like this crapy clip that stands out of the crowd 😁. By the way, I loved your starbucks mug

[@androth1502]

i love the lamy clip. it's the only fountain pen clip that fits in my pant cargo pocket without breaking. i use mine at the warehouse daily.

[@Indusxstan]

Androth same here! The clip is both beautiful and practical..

[@3dpixel583]

You don't like the clip?! That clip is one of the best clips on fountain pens around! It clips on almost any shirts or pants, thick or thin. There were times when I nitpick on the Safari and it's the clip that persuaded me not to swap out to my other pens.

[@JG3Reviews]

I like it’s functionality, I just don’t care for its oversized appearance. It definitely works well, though.

[@cass2771]

I used a couple of Safari fountain pens for work, and really appreciated how well the clip worked - it was quick to put in my pocket, and was smooth to remove. The clip was a distinctive feature that drew me to stitch with Safaris.

[@davidanderson3425]

My feelings are similar to your own about this pen except I haven't yet been 'converted'.

[@jorgegarbar]

WOW ! ! ! I like your mug . . . And obviously your channel, greetings from Mexico City ! ! !

[@HJKelley47]

Everyone's personal taste is so different. Not only one's personal tastes, but one's pocketbook. When buying a fountain pen you have to consider what your budget will allow, so that you do not get into such unnecessary debt. Once I buy a pen in keeping with what I can afford, I do not keep complaining about the little stuff. At one time in my collection of more budgeted pens, I was not partial to the Pilot Metropolitans. Now, like yourself, I own 9 of them, and have discovered they work well. I never have to prime the nib, and they hold up well under daily use. No, they do not have 14K gold nibs, but I can write with them for hours on end. I have some excellent writers of Chinese made pens as well, i.e. Picasso - one of my favorite pens. Also partial to Pen BBS pens, which write beautifully. My Jinhao X750s have paid for themselves twice over, and still working well under years of writing. Even in the FP community a pen under $300 is considered "cheap" and/or "inexpensive", for some folks can afford $1,200+++ pens, and some feel if your pen is not in that category, you are not really a true FP connoisseur. For the Jinhao metal pen, did you think to smooth the nib????

[@murdelabop]

My problem with the Jinhao 599A is that they tend to break at the threaded tenon where the grip section screws into the barrel. Fortunately, they're cheap enough that you can buy several.

[@eatmelily]

LOVE my Safari.... Love the Clip..It hangs tight in my pocket and when I'm bending it doesn't fall out. Recently bought the Charcoal models for 20 bucks..That makes it impossible to find anything better for less. I also LOVE the Pen Store...Was just there this past Saturday to pick up some Cartridges, Ink, and Convertors..It's Nice to be able to walk in and buy a Nice pen, and not have to wait for a week to get it...I'm Left handed so I need to purchase a left hand nib.....

[@paulgreen5305]

I was reluctant to get the safari for a few years . cause i wasn't keen on the design . but i bit the bullet and got it about a year ago . its a great pen writes smooth solidly built. And the designs grown on me to . i have the same as yours the gloss blk with silver clip. I had to get blk so it gives it a basic look not keen on bright colours . but its a real workhorse pen id highly recommend them . great vid 👍

[@billwelch2842]

I am a real Fountain Pen Snob and own maybe 2-3 Fountain Pens that are cartridge/converter types, all the rest of my 25-30 FP's have their own ink filling system and supply. Further I am a Mechanical Pencil lover and own no matching Pen & Pencil sets because in my mind pencils are their own thing and should have their won design. The only exception is my LAMY FP and matching pencil and further sacrilege I have a matching Ball Point. I love the look of the Safari family-to me they are very Bauhaus looking although I have no idea if the designer was influenced by the Bauhaus School/Philosophy of design. Solidly made, good writers, pleasing to look at. Glad I found this Channel!

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks! Don't even get me started on mechanical pencils, my wife might not want me started another channel. Ha!

[@webpig711]

I think they are indeed Bauhaus inspired, the first Lamys even came in the colours Mondrian used in Tableau I: white, black, blue, red and yellow.

[@shbondful]

I have a Safari in white; agree it’s aesthetically lacking, but got it in part because of the grip, to help me correct my atrocious grip. As my hands have slipped closer to ye olde carpal tunnel, I’ve...not so much upgraded (as I believe it’s cheaper) as adjusted over to the nexx M, which is super-light, slightly more aesthetically appealing than the Safari, and has the most comfortable grip I’ve found on a fountain, good for long bouts of writing in flow.

[@frankspage]

Love your "overblown plastic" comment :))) Great review!

[@haraldschuster3067]

The thing you are missing in terms of converters is that the Lamy Safari is still a school pen. Yep, people in Germany still write with fountain pens in school. And a converter is a messy thing to fill in class. That's why people use cartridges.

[@JG3Reviews]

Makes sense to me.

[@psychophipps]

And the fact that throw-away culture makes Lamy a ton of money is just a bonus...

[@JG3Reviews]

No doubt.

[@tiamogonzalez3641]

I subscribed just because of your apology! That's something special!

[@KaizerBillimoria]

I've subscribed to your channel just because you had the courage to accept that you were wrong about something. Congrats! Please continue to keep it real!

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks!

[@wickedamoeba8719]

No worries, everyone has their own preferences. Some people are seriously turned off by the clip and grip. Personally, I love the pen design. My main is a Lamy Lx.

[@BEASTxMODE]

14:05 Ceiling fan reflection made is look like a genuine Lamy for a second. Anybody else catch that? Just me? Ok.

[@animula6908]

I avoided this pen because I thought it’s ugly and it has that triangle grip. After having trouble using my pilot e95s that I longed for due to my eccentric grip, I found one I thought not too hideous and bought one, hoping the grip will help me fix myself for my pretty pen’s sake. When it arrived it wasn’t even as ugly in general as I expected. I got the rose gold one, which doesn’t have a contrasting clip either. But I really like it more than I expected too. Teaches us not to judge a book by its cover, or a pen by its big ole ugly clip and chunky plastic body. Ps, I found out the grip can even work with my normal grip style, and still helps me keep it oriented properly. So there you go. It’s still not as purty as my pilot, though. You can’t make me claim it is.

[@contentconsumer487]

I don’t know if you pointed this out about the Lamy safari as compared to others the alignment is perfect. The triangular grip when screwed in is perfectly squared with the body. So that O ring I think plays a big part in the alignment.

[@davidmcguigan5497]

Thanks, James. Enjoyed the comparisons. I got my Safari in a sale package with a bottle of ink, converter and pen sleeve. Of course, you can't beat free. The typical asking price is a turn off. So many fun, interesting pens for less money.

[@fountainpencollection8337]

Well " Yong Sheng " it's another way of verbalize wing Sung in chinese . Wing Sung was the name that was used by the company in the past for products destined for export and Yong Sheng was the name used for the home market . All chinese fountain pen companies have such different ways of verbalize there names .

[@JG3Reviews]

Thank you! I hoped someone had an answer.

[@michaelwong1908]

Yong Sheng is actually mandarin, and Wing Sung, cantonese.

[@fountainpencollection8337]

@@michaelwong1908 Well you know better the origin of the words but still that was the way the company used those names .

[@Ybalrid]

It's a plastic pen... A Montblanc 149 is also a plastic pen 😉 Okay, one is ABS, the other is PMMA. But still, the point stands!

[@cliffordbaker4930]

There’s no shame or dishonor in admitting that one was wrong and proclaiming it. The world would be far better off if more people did so! But seriously, I bought my first Safari a bit hesitant about the clip, also, but I thought it would at least be secure my shirt pocket, and I didn’t want to carry around my expensive pens and risk something happening. Now, I have two Safaris and two Al-Stars-just bought the new Turmaline-and they are among my favorite pens. One is almost always inked. The funny thing is I don’t even think about the clip now. It wasn’t until you mentioned it that I remembered my initial hesitation. Lamy Blue is a decent basic ink, and I really like the Lamy Blue Black. I just bought two oblique nibs for them at the LA Pen Show recently-a medium and a broad. Haven’t tried them yet, though.

[@MartaZobeniak]

I absolutely love the Lamy Turqoise ink, like the Lamy Black and I'm considering getting either the two other standard colors - Blue and Blue-black, or Blue and Benitoite from their Crystal collection. I got the Turmaline ink and it's also quite nice.

[@lililangtry1881]

@@MartaZobeniak hi Marta I do have the Lamy Benitoite and I love it, lovely vintagy faded kinda denim blue but leaning on lavender. Also dries super fast even on TR paper, great for lefties like me!

[@MartaZobeniak]

@@lililangtry1881 Wow! Great to know that. While I'm not a leftie, I have to admit that I have just starter using Tomoe River Paper and I do struggle with drying times. I have to learn to be more patient :)

[@thejohnbeck]

This is funny cuz the clip is one of my big plus points. Won't roll off a desk and blast the nib

[@crazycat5958]

I have two Lamy’s. I have three TWSBI. I have one preppy. I prefer Noodler’s pens over most others, especially for drawing.

[@jarrahfitzgerald2752]

I have some spare Lamy nibs. Would they fit on these cheaper alternatives and, if so, would there be any improvement in writing experience using a genuine Lamy nib on any of these cheaper alternatives?

[@webpig711]

There were no LAMYs when I went to school, so I grew up with Pelicanos and MontBlanc, my first fountain pen was a MontBlanc Carrera, very 70ies with its yellow and black colours. Plus I got a lot of freebie Geha pens from someone who worked for that company. I'm glad though because as soon as I bought my first Lamy (well in my 30ies) and they started bringing out all those different colours and special editions, I got addicted. Now I own 20plus of those babies. XD A pro tip from one Lamy lover to another: It seems to me that the black nibs have a better ink flow than the silver ones. But since you seem to prefer narrow nibs, that might not be too important for you. I personally love medium to broad nibs and the black ones work much better for me. One last thing: You were wrong with the O-ring issue on the brown rip-off. It's actually normal for the LAMY Al-stars (the metal Safaris) to leave the O-ring on the back part when opened. Only with the plastic ones it stays on the front part.

[@TheDanielbarboza]

Great video! And, about changing your mind, it's a sign of honesty and intelligence. :)

[@kennethnoh4227]

Glad I found your channel and I appreciate your videos. Not sure if you still have these pens but have you tried using the section from the brown metal Jinhao/Youngsheng in the black metal Jinhao? I would try to swap those and see if you could use that black pen.

[@JG3Reviews]

Thanks! I haven’t, but I’ll check that.

[@pt17171]

I don't like the design of the pen however in 2015 it was available for £18/$25. The writing experience better than the much more expensive pens pens I own. It's great for work as if you can replace it if its gets lost.

[@matthewperegrine4552]

Fan of the Lamy. I run a Lamy Al-Star Black (M) inked wuth Parker Quink Black. It is nestled in my Galen 3 slot pen EDC case. I enjoy the grip section of these pens and would like to see more pens come out with it. The Narwhal will always be my favourite pen.

[@softmkr]

I've owned a Lamy crystal M for almost 20 years and It was love at first sight 😍; recently bought a Jinhao crystal blue EF that came with two ink cartridges and a converter, as you said it's a little different even the converter. I did not like the ink that came with the Jinhao, but now that I'm using it with its converter and Lamy crystal ink is far better.

[@jakublulek3261]

My most favourite Lamy pen is my old Lamy Vista with 1.1 Stub. So smooth, looks very technical and cool and is very dependable. Honestly, I tried every other Lamy model but no, not even legendary 2000 ever won me over. But I like my Vistas.

[@stokrotnie]

I love the „God bless you”! God bless you too! 😊👋🏼

[@sushanart]

Love my Lamy Vista! ❤ The ink flow is amazing so far. Now, I only have one pen and no other to compare it with. 😁

[@paullanglois3768]

“Overblown Plastic” is a rad band name.

[@PeteR-ed9nd]

I have Lamy Safari, Lamy Al star, and Jinhao 599 in lime green and in the transparent brown.. I love them all. I keep a Safari and a lime green 599 inked at all times. I have absolutely no problems with either Lamy or Jinhao. In fact, I bought several to give to friends to introduce them to fountain pens and the tremendous variety of expressiveness over 900 different inks allows.

[@sorryociffer]

I love my Lamy Al-Stars....the aluminum bodied version. I REALLY wish they made a matte or machined stainless one for a more weighty feel. I like the clip. Its big and secure.

[@sweetpea22000]

Me too, would love a matte and machine one, I like a heavier pen

[@webpig711]

There is an Al-star that could qualify as matte, a black one. I think it was a special edition, but I am not sure.

[@Enrico-]

@@webpig711 It's the regular black Al-Star

[@Enrico-]

Pretty sure a machined stainless steel (or brass/copper) Al-Star would weight a lot. Like 50+ grams. Also would be fairly larger.

[@sorryociffer]

Enrico Buscaroli No need for it to be larger but stainless or Ti would be AWESOME.

[@umbranoctis4348]

Funny thing is, if you put a cartridge into the LAMY Safary, that big fat clip will actually be able to support the pen if you put it on the table. It looks like the pen is taking a stretch in a beach-chair. With a converter in it, it'll actually balance just about right on the tip of the clip. Which btw, it's kind of obnoxious, but it DOES have two points of contact with the cap, so it really clings to whatever you clip it to. It kinda wants to bend things though, like if you clip it to thin cardboard or just a few pages of paper. The only real reasons I can see not to like a Safari is the... prominent clip, or if the triangular grip interfers with how you hold pens. (it should actually help, forcing you to hold the pen "right") And maybe having to buy their ink cartridges (which you can quite easily flush with water once empty and refill with any ink you like if you have a syringe handy)

[@samgreeneggs8101]

My husband just bought me the Lamy safari calligraphy pen and three different nibs. It’s my first fountain pen ever and i just love it! I never was interested in pens or fountain pens at all but now I love this fountain pen! 😱

[@animula6908]

Welcome to the wide world of fountain pens! It’s interesting how much variety of tastes you can uncover even in such a specific hobby, and please forgive those of us who are talking about the safari like it’s ugly. It’s truly unique and innovative, which is why a lot people either love or hate the design. I thought it wasn’t my style, but when I got one I could instantly see why it’s become a modern classic. Enjoy yours in good health, and God bless you!

[@sweetpea22000]

I concurrent with you on that clip, but I love my Lamy Al-Star pen. I have a range of fountain pens in a range of prices, but I always go back to my AL-Star. It took me a good two years before I tried the Al-Star because the clip is huge and unsightly. But, I love the extra fine and stub nibs, and the grip and I use both the three and four finger grips. I have tried the safari, but I prefer the feel of the Al-Star. And, I prefer the black nibs to the silver one. I find the EF nibs in silver vary, a great deal, but not had any issues with the black nibs. The TWSBI mini vac was my go to pen until I tried the AL-Star. Love your review and honestly

[@RobertWard]

"...years and years ago, back in the nineties..." - I had to chuckle. I bought my best pen, a Parker Sonnet Sterling Cisele in 1976, with a ball point pocket mate, for $75.

[@JG3Reviews]

That cracks me up, too. The 90s feel like last year in a lot of ways, but I've had that pen 25 years.

[@laurelcosten1012]

Cheers! My dad bought me both the Parker sterling Cisele as well as the matching ballpoint in 1970 when I graduated high school. Started me on my way to a really full blown fountain pen collection. Catholic grammar and high school education gets one primed for many fountain pens!!

[@MaxVandewiele]

I live in Belgium and I remember the Safari being one of my very first, if not the first fountain pen. This is approximately 20-25 years ago. I still have my very first Safari and it still writes as if it's new. So if that's no proof of its quality I don't know what is. Sometimes you need to deep clean it, but even a Safari I left in the drawer for 10 years I managed to bring into full service.

[@JG3Reviews]

Very good!

[@PauloParreira]

I own the black charcoal imitation, the problem i have with the clip is that it is too tight and very hard to put in the shirt pocket, can you test this, both the original and the imitation? Thanks

[@FTube2000]

Really appreciatte your review and honesty. I had exactly the same clip issue. But I also gave it a shot as a everyday no worries pen. Now I have 4... still do not love the clip but i've grown to its practical industrial design and I really like it and think its fair priced. The flexibility to swap nibs its a plus although there isnt that much difference between an F and EF.

[@eatmelily]

I'll tell you what...I LOVE that clip, especially after losing some higher end pens that fell from my pocket unbeknowst to me...I Love having to give a tug to get it out....

[@DrPhilologist]

The nib from that last, metal jinhao you seemed to be particularly fond of appears to use a nib of the same design as the one found in the pilot varsity, v-pen, petit. It might be worth exploring further towards that direction, in case you can actually make this pen usable again. Btw, I believe that the Lamy Al-Star unscrews the same way as that Yongsheng/Wingsung pen, with the plastic ring staying on the body, unlike what happens on the safaris. But I am too lazy to go through my pen boxes to verify it.

[@GM-zy3xj]

I love the lamy because it has the softest nib I’ve tried so far. Such smooth writing, so silent

[@KOUGA108]

@JG3 Reviews in case u didn’t know wing sung and yongsheng are both referring to 永生 the chinese name of the company. Wing sung is the cantonese pronunciation while yongsheng is the mandarin pronunciation.

[@edwardstaats4935]

It tskes a big man to say they are sorry, well done. It speaks to your maturity and ability to acquire wisdom

[@superfly2449]

I became a fountain pen junkie a few months ago. First one was a 4 for $7.95deal, as good as you might expect them to be. Most recent one is a Kaweco, tiny, and never fails to draw at the first stroke. No more dip pens for me!

[@photorooster8865]

I jumped to the LAMY AL Sport . Wish I hadn't. Unfortunately am one of "those" people that hate the tri-faced grip. I do like the concept of interchangeable nibs.

[@superfly2449]

Photorooster I’m a southpaw, and the grip on this pen is especially annoying.

[@Enrico-]

Al-Star -> Lamy AL Sport -> Kaweco

[@barbarah-p8661]

Don't feel bad that you didn't like the Lamy Safari before you liked it. A friend of mine didn't like Lamys until she tried mine, then she changed her mind. She didn't like the clip, either. Now she loves her Lamy Safaris. Very good video.

[@jamiehatzis6176]

The Lamy Safari is a gateway fountain pen.... It was my first fountain pen. IT is a great everyday carry. Solid, reliable, and it just made me want to try other pens. I now have a fairly sizable collection. I just spent $120 on a Lamy studio fountain pen. Black and black nib. I forgot the name. However, if I had to pick one pen...TWSBI Vac pens.

[@kathrynstiles3509]

Same here! I started with Safari and now I'm obsessed with my TWSBI Vac700 R Iris extra fine nib with the gorgeous twsbi emerald green ink.

[@jamiehatzis6176]

@@kathrynstiles3509 hahah. I have one of those!

[@agamemnonahb]

There's nothing wrong with changing your mind on something you are unsure of. No reason to think you've lost face.

[@JerryBearry]

I have tried a pen with a triangle grip (not a Lamy) and simply could not write with it.

[@HJKelley47]

For years I said I did not like the Pilot Metropolitan. In early 2019 I decided to buy one, just to end the debate. Well a year later I now own 10 of them. Like yourself, I had to say I'm sorry. (LOL) Now I do not own the Lamy Safari, though I do own about 4 of the near-knockoffs in metal. Actually have one currently inked with MontBlanc Black. I did tweak my 599 nib, and it is a nice writing experience.

[@NolaGB]

I have a LOT of fountain pens, as I was addicted for a while. LOL I have at least one of every color Lamy Safari made and given many away. The Safari is a work horse. One of the pens I could just toss into my purse or pretty much anywhere. I really like the Safari.