Lamy Safari vs Pilot Metropolitan vs TWSBI Eco - Which is the best starter fountain pen?

The latest Fountain Pen Showdown video is now available for your viewing pleasure.
In this video I am comparing:
The Lamy Safari with Pilot Iroshizuku Momiji ink
The TWSBI Eco with Van Dieman Devils Black ink.
The Pilot Metropolitan with Robert Oster Fire Engine Red ink.
Which pen will come out on top?
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The opinions are my own, based on my own experiences with the product. Not to be used for reference or as gospel.

[@cally393]

I started with a Lamy Safari, it's alright and I like the ease of switching out the nibs. But I barely use it now. I bought a Pilot Metro to compare with a hated it. Couldn't get on with it at all, scratchy and uncomfortable to use. Then I got an Eco and it was revolutionary! Completely elevated my fountain pen experience and led me to really get in to the hobby

[@GarryEves]

I have been using the Safari a bit more lately and it is starting to grow on me. For me, the ink I'm using is what seems to make the pen enjoyable or not. I've been experimenting with different inks in it, this is giving a better idea of what I like.

[@jjajwjw]

Lamy safari is unbeatable,eco t has even copied the traingular grip

[@mr.waffentrager4400]

Which nib did you had ? In the pilot ?

[@glenpolo8696]

thank you for the comparison, gary. however, my suggestion for the succeeding videos of this type, if possible, is to use the same ink and nib sizes..same ink negates the different characteristics of different brands of inks, thus giving the viewers information on how a particular ink would be (in terms of wetness, sheen, etc) in the pens you review...keep these videos coming..

[@Overonator]

Agreed you want to minimize the number of variables.

[@s.ajanaku8488]

Really good video and comparisons. Thanks for your time

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@fossilimprint2954]

What a thorough comparison, that took a lot of work and time. I like how you showed the different dry times. Subscribed !

[@GarryEves]

Thanks

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

Some people have said that the Metros can be scratchy, and that has been my experience, too. I love using the Metro, but pretty soon the pens can get scratchy and my hand gets tired. Bob Goulet from Goulet Pens said something interesting along that line. In one of his videos, he said that Pilot makes their fountain pens more for Japanese-style writing, which uses a lot of short strokes. He said that Lamy makes their fountain pens more for western-style writing, which uses long, continuous, flowing strokes.

[@diegomarquez3293]

the Japanese don't use fountain pens they sell them to the west.

[@theworkspace753]

I feel like I’m starting a Pokémon game and having the pressure to my starter! Haha

[@sweetpickles7057]

Awesome demo! I've been trying to figure out the best budget fountain pen with the finest nib I could find. Finding this back to back with the TWSBI and the Pilot helped me make the final call. Pilot Metro it is! Thanks!

[@fahimaalfarabi1646]

Great video! The comparison is very neat and I like how much effort you into this, pro-like almost. I'm looking to buy Twisbi eco in future, I like that they can be loaded with ink. And your video shows they're not bad-looking either.

[@GarryEves]

Thank you. I do enjoy most of my pens. All the TWSBIs I have tried write really well.

[@journalingsunflower]

This video really helped me because I was so torn between twsbi eco and lamy safari! I’m gonna get a TWSBI Eco ❤️

[@pravinwagh6986]

Enjoyed watching this video, an excellent comparison. I have used Eco Twisbi and Lamy safari, and can easily correlate with your comments. Thumbs Up!

[@joshrayner7167]

The metro that I got comes with a converter. I would also say it would be better to use all the same inks the comparison. Apart from that very very good video and very helpful

[@Srinivasan.Answers]

Honest review!

[@DL-idk]

My first ever fountain pen is a TWSBI ECO. My only complaint is that its cap is a little bit thick for some of the tighter pen loops. I don't like the feeling of having to force it down so I stopped using pen loops with it. Other than that, it is absolutely perfect.

[@Strider1Wilco]

In this price range I feel like the Sailor Compass is overlooked. Comes in nice colors, with sailor quality, and has a converter and ink carts too.

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

Thank you. I had not heard of the Compass.

[@suzyzhang3505]

Thanks for the comparison. I started with the metropolitan F nib and it's a perfect fit to the mini grids on the Japanese techo books. I was deciding on the EF or F nib on a TWSBI and I'm more determined.

[@GarryEves]

I did find the F a little bit nicer to write with. I find I not longer reach for the one I have with an EF nib.

[@suzyzhang3505]

@@GarryEves yeah true, especially when I find the colourful inks look much nicer with a slightly thicker nib.

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

When I am choosing a brand I have never used, I always go with fine. Extra fine can be scratchy, and medium can be too wet or too wide. I can purchase another width afterward.

[@ellyzacampo5726]

The TWSBI eco actually posts snuggly! You have to give it a small push in and you’ll feel that bottom o-ring sort of pop into the cap securely. Never had a problem with the piston mechanism posted. This is my first fountain pen I bought and I’m so in love. Looking into more pens I’ll buy in the future 😂❤

[@steffymuze]

Have to agree, ❤ mine!

[@phi1688]

yes; it only posts when you leave the piston all the way up.

[@neilspector9221]

#truth

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

I think that there is a lot of variations among the Lamy nibs. I have a broad, with which I use Noodlers Black, which I find to be very wet. I also have Lamy Safaris in fine and extra fine, and the fine seems finer than the extra fine! I appreciate the care that you put into your review.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. Since filming this I have got an Al-Star with a 1.5 nib - I love that one.

[@anamikasharma1284]

That's called clash of the Titans... Love ur voice and narration

[@GarryEves]

Thank you.

[@7_v610]

Thanks very much for the video, Sir. I am not sure if I have been unlucky with TWSBI Ecos, but purchased two, and both came with ink flow performance inadequacy 26:27. In fact, the first one, with a fine nib, it was also very scratchy, and returned back to the retailer. I kept the second, which was with a medium nib, just to keep the wrench and the silicon it was accompanied with. Thus, two out of two of these pens, have been proven bad writers. I can tell, these two have been my most failed fountain pen purchase as of today. Now, one can tell that they do have a different experience with that make and that model, but even if so, it means that these pens are not consistent tools, and as a result not reliable to purchase. For the record, there have also been a lot of people who stand by the same and/or similar position/opinion with that of mine, above. However, I acknowledge these pens - for me - to have an excellent appearance. I also fancy their filling mechanism. But, in general, their writing performance, does not tick any of my boxes.

[@GarryEves]

Sorry to hear you have had issues with these. I do find the Fine and Extra-Fine ones I have are a bit scratchy.

[@likelyrain]

A fine comparison video, Garry. You have an erudite voice. I shall add Kaweco Perkeo and Jinhao x450.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I'll add the onto my "to buy" list.

[@BenjyBoo]

Great video, and handy having scored results. But would have been more of a test by using the same ink and nib sizes.

[@GarryEves]

I do think about using the same ink, but because I use these in my normal day-to-day life I think I'd get bored. I'll have another think about it.

[@MersedessBens]

I have Lamy and ECO from the review. I use pens for drawing, so Lamy lightweight it's a plus for long drawing sessions. I never had issues with inkflow, seems, it writes fine, maybe it depends on ink itself. Regarding the converter, I agreed with you, I don't like it and don't understand why it doesn't have it from box, it looks like the producer of pens wants to cheat us. Also, quite easy to buy the pen in my area. I have it for 2 nibs: EF and F and use with watersoluble inks. ECO - yep, it's my favorite, in my area is not very easy to take it, but possible, it costed me in twise more in comparison with Lamy. A big tank for ink without all that horible converters. I use it with Waterproof platinum carbon ink as a main pen to draw with watercolor. I also like Sailor Fude Nib Calligraphy pen for my drawing, I really like the Nib it is a perfect for sketching.

[@countduckula9977]

The cross on the Lamy cap is their code for type of pen in this case fountain pen there are different finials for Lamy's ballpoint & rollerball pens.

[@GarryEves]

Awesome. Thanks for this.

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

Yes. If you have a yellow Lamy Safari fountain pen and a yellow Lamy Safari rollerball, it would be very hard to tell them apart by looking at their outsides. The only differences are that the fountain pen has an ink window and the rollerball doesn’t, and the fountain pen has cross on the finial and the rollerball has a single line. If you store your active pens vertically in a pen cup, you can see only the tops of the pens (that is, the finials). The only way to distinguish the fountain pen from the rollerball would be by the decoration on the finial - cross or single line - showing at the top. Of course, a solution would be to own the fountain pen and the roller ball in different colors, but some people like to keep a whole set of the same color.

[@andrewsobey2873]

I’m starting to think Lamy has a consistency issue with their nibs. One of the reasons I like the Safari as a starter is the nibs are easily replaceable. I swapped my M nib for a F nib then settled on a 1.1 stub nib. I bought an EF for my better half which writes better than all of them. 🤷‍♂️ Then I picked up the limited edition terra cotta in a black medium nib for $19 (couldn’t resist a bargain!) which writes great. Inconsistent nibs maybe 🤔 I have tried an Eco on broad for a few weeks - loved it. I want one once I find a colour I’m happy with.

[@oscarmedina1597]

I agree with another commenter in that, of the three, I would recommend the Metropolitan. In the US, it comes with a converter, so it is substantially more affordable than the other two pens. However, I would get it in medium or broad as Japanese nibs are smaller. With those two little differences, the Metro edges out the Eco.

[@GarryEves]

My one regret with the Metro is getting the Fine nib. If I was to buy another one I would go for Broad (Medium at a pinch). I find the nib is too fine to really show of the colour of the ink.

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

I don’t think that the Metro comes in broad. I think that it comes only in fine, medium, and a 1.0 stub nib. I own a few Metros and a few Lamy Safaris. I like the Metro when I want to write for a short time. I prefer the Lamy when I want to do several pages of writing because it weighs so much less.

[@durdanatabassum6057]

Wow, such a great video, thank you. I am dithering between the Lamy Safari and Twisbi Eco. I am a 5 ft female and have small hands accordingly, hence the weight of the pen and the girth of the grip section matters a lot so I should go for a Lamy, but I also want a wet nib and Lamy nibs are famous for having some 'tooth' to them. Should I get a Twisbi broad instead? I just can't decide. I am currently using Pilot Iroshizuku Ajisai, with a locally made Indian broad nib pen, it has the same problem you mentioned with the Lamy broad nib. Very dry. Any suggestions? Are there any of those Chinese made pens you mentioned that might fit in my hand and write nice and broad?

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I released an "updated" list last week, which looked at 5 non-Chinese starter pens (kzbin.info/www/bejne/haako5h7ftV_e6M) and am releasing 5 Chinese starter pens today. Hopefully those videos may answer your question.

[@incognitoedc]

I have a Safari and AL Star and two TWSBI pen and the TWSBI pens are much more juicy and wetter writers...

[@pepperpath]

I have a soft spot for LAMY safari and al- star pens. Mine have always worked well from ef to 1.5. The nibs are dry and a bit boring but I still enjoy using them once in a while. For me they are comfortable!

[@GarryEves]

I have a video coming out later this month comparing the Safari with a Broad nib and the AL-Star with a 1.5 nib. The Safari is slowly growing on me.

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

I am happy that you are starting to like the Lamy Safari. I used to prefer the Pilot Metropolitan, but now I always reach for the Safaris. I’m curious about the TWSBI’s, though.

[@vsocarras27]

The American pilot metropolitan release comes with a cartridge/converter

[@sluggger]

I own all three of these pens (well, my Lamy is a Vista, but same design only different material.) The Metropolitan is a pen that I loved when I first got it, but I've liked it less and less over time. The finish on mine have not held up (I have two). Just holding and using the pen has damaged the finish, weakening it in the areas where my fingers rest to the point that it can be scratched off exposing the metal underneath. I do like the way it writes, but it also has some idiosyncrasies that I don't like. I like the "softness" (for lack of a better term) in its feedback, but I dislike that it sometimes has trouble with certain strokes in my handwriting (it will skip on certain angular downstrokes and it sometimes doesn't want to start on certain upstrokes; I assume this is almost entirely handwriting dependent.) I've also come to dislike the shape of the pen and find the section less desirable. In the case of the Lamy I thought I would hate the pen but it has grown on me. I still dislike the way it looks, but the triangle grip is actually just extremely comfortable to me. Really helps with fatigue. With the Twsbi I think this is the best of all three especially in terms of value. The only thing I dislike about the pen is the red finial, and that's just a nitpick. Great filling system, great capping and sealing, very nice nib too -- it is just ever so slightly springy to me.

[@Exodus00925]

My pilot metropolitan came with a squeeze converter right out of the box. And it just came in the mail 2 days ago. Idk why yours didn’t come with one. I love it!

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

Many don’t prefer the squeeze converter because the body is black and you can’t see how much ink you have available. That’s why people purchase an additional one.

[@joshrayner7167]

@@barbarajloriordan2697 yes but you don't need it to get started so it seems unfair to include it in the price

[@brokenblackbird]

The Lamy Safari with a fine nib is a bit dry on fountain pen paper like Rhodia and Oxford Optik. However a Lamy fine nib on normal exam pad and photo copy paper is not dry and handles more wet. Thus for a student a Lamy fine nib with say Diamine ink is not at all dry on normal paper. On the other hand Pilot Metropolitan is more "wet" than a Lamy Safari. One possibility for people that think a Lamy is too dry is to switch to an ink like Sheaffer which is more wet. The decision on what works really depends on 1) pen, 2) ink and 3) paper.

[@sunsetsky594]

I started cleaning my Eco Twisbi this morning after it having sat mostly empty for about 3 months. (I know I should have cleaned it a long time ago but life happens) I started flushing the barrel using the piston action and with each twist up and down the piston twisted shorter and short and now won't twist at all. What's wrong? I didn't want to force it and end up breaking it. What should I do?

[@GarryEves]

Sorry, I'm not sure what to do to fix that.

[@RoMice]

Hello. I would like to request your opinion if you allow me. I don't know if it's my screen, but I see the iroshizuku momiji much more pink than red, how does she look looking at paper directly? I am looking for a red ink for the university (professors prefer semi-formal neutral colors for notes), but there is not much distribution in my city, most pages charge triple the value of the ink for shipping. So my only available options are (waterman audacius red 50ml 16 usd with a minimum purchase of 2 bottles, pelikan brillian red 30ml 15 usd, and iroshizuku momiji 50ml at 25 usd). The rest of the colors of pelikan and waterman are at 4 and 7 usd respectively. I figured if I'm going to pay a premium it would be at least for a premium product not just overprice, btw I plan to use it on a prera pilot. Would you recomend it? Thank you and have a wonderful day.

[@GarryEves]

I also find the Momiji is on the pinker side of red. I think Momiji translates to Autumn Leaves and certainly does remind me of that. In my Metropolitan with an F nib it does look red, but in other pens does have a bit more pink in it.

[@RoMice]

@@GarryEves Thanks, very healpful. I suppose it would be a good purchase, considering that my prera has the same nib and feed as the metropolitan.

[@anthonyl2823]

The cross on the Lamy stands for fountain pen, their other pens has a dash

[@dumbartonyankee]

Lamy and Parker cartridges and converters are interchangeable.

[@rmstark1966]

which would you say was the smoothest, and what determines how fast a pen dries the ink you use?

[@GarryEves]

Of the three my preference would be for the TWSBI Eco as the smoothest. I generally test my pens using the hash marks and swipes to try and work out drying times. Not exactly specific but it does give a rough idea. The drying time is also very dependant on the paper being used as well.

[@10000spidersinatrenchcoat]

I can vouch for TWSBI’s customer service being good. I ordered an eco from Goulet pens and the non was scratchy and after a few emails they mailed me one for free. Took a while to arrive from Taiwan but that’s geography!

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@UTleochi]

Twisbys and Lamy Safaris are my workhorses and I love them both, but lately I’ve been reaching almost exclusively for the Lamys. One of my Twisbys has flow issues, which is quite annoying. I love the Safaris for drawing, and they just fit so well into my hand.

[@GarryEves]

I struggle to enjoy using the Safari, but I quite like using the Al-Star. It's weird when you consider they are the same shape just using different materials. I love the ease of being able to remove the nib from the Safaris and TWSBIs as that makes it easy to give them a thorough clean.

[@UTleochi]

@@GarryEves That’s funny, it’s quite the opposite for me. I rather reach for the Safari because they just seem so much sturdier than the Al Star. The latter tend to get smudged or scratched too easily compared to their plastic counterparts. But they do look classier, I’ll readily admit that! ;D

[@GarryEves]

@@UTleochi 👍

[@paulll47]

I regret not getting a TWSBI Eco when it came out, didn't trust it at first, now it costs way too much to be considered an entry level in my opinion. My daily beater is a Lamy Al Star, got it for a bargain for 15 euros and haven't regretted it, I like the Pilot's aesthetics more but I find it significantly less pleasant to write with than my Lamy, very scratchy and had ink drying in the nib, not a bad pen by any means but I think that the Lamy is better for the value, especially because it can hold more ink which is essential for a student or someone who writes a lot, just my opinion.

[@GarryEves]

I'm with you about how much the TWSBI pens have gone up in price. I am planning to record in a few weeks looking at my current recommendation for starter pens, and the Eco may well be dropping off it.

[@paulll47]

@@GarryEves Yeah, I remember seeing it at my local shop for 15 euros, now I've seen it around for 40, I mean it's a great pen but you are killing a lot of the value with that price Imo.

[@stefanfrankel8157]

Both the Safari and the Metropolitan have a tendency to dry out if you don't use them often. Not so with the TWSBI.

[@chongliu1715]

Pilot Metropolitan does come with converter. Not sure why yours doesn't. It is just not the screwing type of it, it comes with the squeeze type of converter. Also pilot is the only Japan style fine nib in these 3 so if you need this pen for stuff like bullet journaling in a small note book like travelers notebook, this Japanese nibs are your best bet. But if you do calligraphy or you only write on high quality paper (then paper could cost way more than these pens), I'd say TWSBI and Lamy are similar on this purpose and Japan fine is a bit too fine. TWSBI is consistently smooth and the size is reliable. Lamy nib is not that consistent in term of size. I had a medium nib write like a F and I have EF nib write like the medium. But Lamy nib is easy to swap and they sell nibs separately so if you want a pen to try out all sort of nibs Lamy is your choice. 3 pens are really similar so it's hard to choose. But if I had to choose again, I'd stay with TWSBI EF.

[@James-2342]

Great Video Gary, I will say that the TWSBI will not untwist the filler at the back at all, and posting it actually has a clip point when pushed on completely in post. As to the Pilot, I got mine and it did come with a converter but not a twist on one, but a bladder one. And finally, re my Lamy, I did swap the nib to a 1.1 niib. My TWSBI is a 1.1 and the Pilot is fine. I love all my pens and actually do not consider them starters at all. Yes they are affordable but in MHO they are not starters. I consider the Jinhao as starters. My other comment is re the dryness, I personally found that the inks make a huge difference in the drying along with the nibs as you have mentioned. Great video Thanks

[@marilyngardner4269]

Some people say that the bladder filler that comes with the Pilot Metropolitan is actually for cleaning the pen only. I have used the bladder filler for ink, but I don't think it's an ideal long-term solution.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I think it is my over-cautious nature with the TWSBI. I can just see myself with ink all over my hands and the paper I had being working on. I have tried some "wetter" inks in the Lamy and am enjoying it a lot better. I am looking at getting an AL-Star with a 1.5 stub nib to see how the aluminium body compares to the plastic one of the Safari. My biggest issue with recommending Jainhaos is the inconsistency I have found with the nibs. I do carry around some Jinhao 992's with me for the times that someone expresses an interest, and I am quite happy to give them one. Next month my Pens In Use will all be pens under $20AUD - surprisingly they are mainly Chinese pens for a number of manufacturers

[@barbarajloriordan2697]

I agree with you about them not being starters. I remember the Schaeffer school pens, and those were starters! But, beyond that idea, I don’t want this to be the start of an expensive habit. I like to write, and I would like writing to be the main issue. I am happy using the affordable pens that I have. They really are nice and I enjoy using them. A problem with buying affordable pens, though, is that small things add up. It’s easy, over time, to spend the same $200 on ten affordable pens that you might spend on a single luxury pen. I guess it depends on how you want to use your purchase. Spending $200 on ten affordable pens might be the best choice if you want to use the pens for different writing purposes - drawing, sketching, writing, journalizing, penmanship, calligraphy - really getting a lot of use out of your different types of pen. Spending $200 on one luxury pen might be the best choice if you want to make an investment that you could possibly sell later for an even higher price.

[@mt-nv4jd]

I have a Metro and a Jotter. Like them both. Then I purchased an Eco T. It blows the other two out of the water. I simply cannot believe any other pen at any price is better.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@davidanderson3425]

Hi Garry. With two pens in a tie for first place which one is your winner? I agree the Safari should come last. The Pilot has an uncomfortable step down to the section which troubles me. I think the Fine nib is too fine and I'd rather have the Medium. Otherwise a good starter pen. Of the three I like the TWSBI most of all. In my hands the Eco feels more comfortable. I don't know if I'd want my first pen to be a piston filler though with such a large ink capacity. I think I'd want an ink converter pen so I could change inks more often. It's very difficult to choose a starter pen for anyone. For example do you you go for something formal and traditional like a plain black pen. Or something with brighter colours? Do you pick a metal pen or a plastic one? Should it be large or small? How will the person use the pen? Is it for drawing or writing? Is it to take to work? Is it for journaling or writing letters at home? If your not sure whether fountain pens are for you I'd go ultra inexpensive with maybe a Jinhao X750 or a Preppy. Or perhaps a Pelikan Stola which would probably last you many years.

[@ichirofakename]

I think beginners should start out with a cartridge pen. If they like it, they can deal with filling mechanisms on a second pen.

[@davidanderson3425]

@@ichirofakename I agree with you.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. If I were to pick between the two I would go for an Eco, but if I could suggest one with a different nib then I would recommend a Metro but with either an M or B nib. Like yourself my biggest gripe with the Metro is the thinness of the line. Next months Pens In Use will be themed around pens under $20AUD. I have got a Preppy in that line-up, but may pull it out as the pen is leaking ink, even with silicone grease on the threads, and an O ring. This is the second fill of ink in this pen, I have a second Preppy and have had the same issue.

[@marilyngardner4269]

I would recommend the Pilot Metropolitan as a starter pen to most people. While I prefer the TWSBI ECO myself, I think the filling mechanism may be more challenging for someone new to fountain pens, and I think the concept is easier to understand with a converter. Also, while TWSBIs are designed to be taken apart, that can be a bit intimidating, and without taking them apart, converter pens are easier to clean and change inks. I find all my Safaris dry and scratchy and I never use them. I'll be interested to hear how you get on with Noodler's Heart of Darkness. For me, that ink made three pens write horribly and I ended up sending it all down the drain.

[@ichirofakename]

Interesting to hear a negative review of Heart of Darkness. Too bad it didn't work for you. What black ink do you prefer?

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I agree with what you say about the "fiddiliness" of the Eco. I think if the Metro had an M or B nib then it would be a lot better.

[@marilyngardner4269]

@@ichirofakename If I had to use a Noodler's black ink, I'd stick with Noodler's Black. But my favorite black ink is Aurora Black by far. If I want some water resistance, I go with DeAtramentis Document Black. For addressing envelopes, I use Platinum Carbon Black, but only in my Platinum Carbon Desk Pen. Thanks for asking!

[@marilyngardner4269]

@@GarryEves I have Metros in several nib sizes, and I actually really like their CM nib, which seems to be about a 1.0 stub.

[@ichirofakename]

@@marilyngardner4269 I use Noodler's Borealis Black, which is a reverse-engineered version of Aurora Black. I like it because it is extremely wet.

[@ichirofakename]

1. Nice, thorough comparison. 2. I think you do a disservice to people looking for a starter pen by suggesting they should pay so much. As you know, there is a large selection of pens from China for under $10US, such as the Jinhao Shark, $3 at Goulet Pens. In the same price range there are two good Japanese pens, the Pilot Petit1 and the Platinm Preppy. Those are the three starter pens I would recommend. 3. Of your three, I have the TWSBI Eco, a nice pen I find more attractive than you do. I got rid of my LAMY Safari M because of dryness issues; however my CP1, with the same nib, but in B, is wonderfully wet, and currently my favorite pen, so I can't say for sure one way or the other about the Safari. I haven't tried the Pilot Metropolitan, but I'm sure anything labelled Pilot will work fine. I find it deathly dull.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I agree with you about Chinese pens - I have quite a few of them. My concern, and why I did not include them, is I find I spend more time "fixing" up issues with them. An example is the Preppy - I have 2 of them, and both started leaking after the second fill, even though I put plenty of silicone grease on the threads. I looked at getting a convertor for the Preppy - but that costs more than the pen! Next month my Pens In Use are all going to be pens under $20. I'm hoping that will bring up some good starter type pens for people with a more limited budget. I'm noticing in todays comments that a lot of people are calling out issues with the safari. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@ichirofakename]

@@GarryEves After all the praise floating around, it is interesting to hear multiple commenters dissing the Safari, as well as you describing problems with the Preppy. I never would have anticipated it.

[@andrewsobey2873]

Don’t forget there’s a more professional looking version of the preppy now - the platinum prefounte. Basically the same pen, but better for the workplace

[@LuvsSno]

@@andrewsobey2873 I like my Preppy, but I love my Prefounte.. looks great & a smooth writer.

[@steffymuze]

​@Andrew Sobey and you can eyedropper them (granted a little more advanced perhaps but I'm new to them myself) ❤ my Prefontes!

[@willwetherington]

The Lamy Safari fountain pens have the plus sign and the Lamy Safari rollerball pens have a minus sign on the top of the cap. I'm sure someone has already mentioned this somewhere in the comments. I'm just late to the game. Lol

[@jamesaritchie1]

Good comparison, though I would have scored the Lamy even lower. I think most who love Lamy pens started with them, got used to them, and don't realize how many better pens are on the market. I refuse to buy Chinese pens, so that doesn't factor in for me. I don't buy many pens with steel nibs, but I do love the Metropolitan, and have eight of them. I also really like the way TWSBI pens write. They have very good nibs, so I own several of them, too, even though I'm not terribly fond of piston fillers.

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I have been really struggling with the Safari, but I do think the ink makes a big contribution to the whole experience. When using wetter inks I. have quite enjoyed using the pen. I may look at getting a couple more Metros, but with wider nibs, as I think the thickness of the line is what lets it down for me.

[@iamnitrox]

I'd count Waterman Graduate with this list. Mine is absolutely wonderful for a 20 dollar pen

[@GarryEves]

Thanks. I haven't got one of these yet. I've added it onto my "To Buy" list

[@sandrajones3455]

My Lamy works perfectly with the medium nib, it's the nib that came in the pen.

[@GarryEves]

I think it was a lot to do with the inks I was using. Recently I've had fewer issues with this pen.

[@sandrajones3455]

@@GarryEves I'm glad to hear that, I actually had the medium nib and decided to order a fine. Now that I watched your video I'm wondering if I really want to go fine...lol I'll switch back if I hate it.

[@soundknight]

The price of fountain pens in Australia has gone ridiculous. A pilot prera used to be $40 now they're $$$80!!!

[@GarryEves]

I'm with you there. I now buy most of my pens from either Cult Pens in the UK, or Appelboom in the Netherlands. I've had a couple from the US, but shipping from there is usually very high.

[@neilspector9221]

Actually the cross on the cap of the safari means it is a fountain pen, they use s straight line for ballpoints.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@justnik8727]

The Safari is now $54 without the converter in Australia. Crazy. The Alstars are in the $70's

[@GarryEves]

I tend to buy my pens from either Cult Pens in UK, or Appelboom in The Netherlands. Even with postage they work out cheaper and usually have a wider selection than I can get in Australia.

[@justnik8727]

@@GarryEves Wow Ill keep that in mind. Good to know and thanks

[@Katzenkotze85]

I bought a white Lamy Safari for 17 EURs in Germany one week ago.....

[@Rorschach890]

My metropolitan came with a bladder converter

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@jayguru8]

I have 3 pens. In which lamy ef pen looks beautiful to write. Pilot ef is very sharp, lamy is not beautiful to look at, it is good to write.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@marvinmediocre]

A bit nitpicking, but that's not a Pilot Metropolitan. It is a Pilot MR from the Retro Pop Collection. The first collection of the Pilot MR is the Metropolitan Collection.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@neilpiper9889]

Lamy Safari comes with one cartridge

[@CrackerFlower]

They are all piston fillers. The converters you have in them are piston converters, making them piston fillers. I understand you are making the point that unlike the Twsbi, the others have converters... but seeing as this videos is for people new to the hobby, that clarification matters.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@anil4nature]

👌👌👌😍😍🍃

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@AlejandroPato-Fuego]

Do not agree with u Gary. I would take the twsbi hands down over safari second and metro third. But that’s okay. the beauty of this hobby is u can like what u like. If I like my jinhao x159 over my Mont Blanc it’s my circus and my monkeys. Thanks for video mate.

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@old40s]

Safari

[@GarryEves]

👍

[@UmiChan358]

Pilot metropolitan!

[@darkknight9090]

i was surprised that the EF Twsbi line was thicker than the Fine line of the pilot. My TWSBI EF writes like a Fine pilot nib. I think you should have your feed checked on your TWSBI.