Lamy Studio Fountain Pen Review: The best mid level fountain pen?

[@polksie]

Glove my Studio. The stainless steel version has a rubberized grip that is not slippery and very comfortable. I’ve had mine for about 8 years and still is great.

[@1xsandrax1]

Great video!! I have watched some of your videos and really enjoy them and enjoy when you explain the longevity of the pen. It's one of the things that is important to me when buying a pen.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Glad you are enjoying my videos! I also really care about longevity, which is probably why I started focusing so much on it.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Also, I relate to hand problems. Off and on my wrist gives me a hard time when using pens.

[@barbarah-p8661]

Thanks for a great review. I have several Lamy Studios and love them all. The smooth, shiny grip doesn't bother me but that might be something that some people may not like. I can use the pen all day. My favorite Studio is the Lamy Studio LX. I love stealth pens.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Very cool! Yeah they are great pens. I think I could get used to the grip section.

[@israelruelas5756]

Have the same one and also enjoy it. The matte black is nothing but style.

[@domingonavarro233]

​@@DowntheBreatherHole 😊

[@dwightjones3305]

Thank you for the review. I’ve never used a Studio and your review was helpful… I have big hands and I have a hand injury. I searched far and wide, but never found a pen that feels better than the Lamy Nexx. The grip is similar to a Safari, but rubberized. The rubber makes it slightly larger and slightly less triangular. The rubber has just the right amount of grip without being too cushy.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

That sounds great!

[@davidteer80]

Just picked up my Studio in the same color, went with the F nib. Absolutely love it. Very well balanced and smooth writing. I have an Aion arriving in a few days.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Let me know what you think of the Aion! I've been curious about it for a long time.

[@gunsmokeandghouls]

Good review, as always. And the quote is great and relatable. Your comparison video between it and Safari sounds like it'll be great.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks! I'm excited for it.

[@matthewscott3689]

It’s interesting that Lamy’s manufacturing process is so precise yet their nibs have so much variation. I have about a dozen Lamy pens, and no two nibs are the same. I have the Studio LX all black in an EF nib and it writes incredibly fine. I have Safaris with EF nibs and they are much broader, equivalent to a Japanese Medium. Then I have Safari nibs that are medium but write like fines and are super gushy. I have no idea what’s going on, I guess it’s part of the fun? It’s really hit or miss with Lamy nibs, but when you find one that works, it’s perfect. My Studio is wet, yet super fine, but also smooth, it’s great. Then my Medium Safari gushes but is fine enough for everyday writing and is glassy smooth. I even have 2 Lamy 2000 pens, one in EF and one in F. They are both wet and glassy smooth, but the EF is slightly better. Both have the exact same line width, with the EF maybe being a bit wider… I’ve also noticed a difference between the regular stainless nibs and the black coated ones. The black nibs tend to have just a little bit more feedback or a toothy feel that the regulars ones don’t have. I don’t know, Lamy nibs are all over the place, but I love the brand and will keep buying more! It definitely keeps things interesting.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

It does keep it interesting for sure! I don't love the variations, but they can be great nibs regardless. I've had to tune my extra fines to get them to work though. I could be wrong, but my guess is that the variations in nibsnare the result of an actual human hand in the manufacturing process. I want to say the nibs are hand polished.

[@geslinam9703]

I’ve heard this about the nibs all being slightly different. I have a medium LX that I love, and a broad Al-Star that is also pretty awesome. Just got the 2000, the medium nib writes like a steel broad, which I wasn’t expecting…but still a great writer. May be getting a Studio soon.

[@snowf6307]

I agree with you on Lamy nibs; they're always a gamble. Let's hope Mitsubishi improves the consistency and quality control of Lamy since they've bought the company. I love the designs but they're not reliable enough as writing instruments in my opinion. Also, I'm really sick of polished metal grip sections e.g, the Scala, Studio, and now the Ideos.

[@csikomas8910]

Hi. I had this pen first as a ballpoint as I wanted a good quality ballpoint, to always carry. I got it in black and I love the design, the cap, the clip, all of it. It serves the function. One day, I considered the fountain pen in blue because of the price point, and for that reason I switched out the nib to a Lamy gold nib and then OMG, I love it. As you say the shape, the composition, the materials, the quality, the grip, the durability it is a really great pen for the price and it's so reliable in your bag as it doesn't open or leak. Thumbs up! Thanks for the review.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for commenting!

[@judyjacobs5827]

I now have two Studios, one in the original black finish and another in the slightly sparkly brown. I love the clip. Is it possible that your friend had something like keys in their pocket that caused the scratch? My first one is still pristine. And the Copper Noir ink is really gorgeous! Good shading, well-behaved, easy to clean, and seems to lubricate the pens it's in. Also not expensive, easy to insert pen nibs into the opening, secure cap. Thanks for your thoughtful review.

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

I just purchased a Lamy Studio stainless steel fountain pen, after having used a Safari, Vista, and Al Star. I love the weight, star quality nib, and German engineering. Plus, it's a gorgeous pen. People are always saying, "nice pen!"

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Nice! That's the one with the black grip section, right? I bet it's wonderful!

[@justdewitt3758]

I got in an aquamarine finish in a store for 36 dollars and it's truly a step-up from plastic pens!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

That is an amazing deal! I don't know if I'd spend $80 on a Lamy Studio, but I'd definitely spend $36 on one.

[@gathin1]

@@DowntheBreatherHole I was able to pick up a blue one on amazon for $45. I had to try it out.

[@wernervdwesthuizen]

I've had my Studio for a while now. Really beautiful and excellent build quality. I find it a little heavy. Lovely for note taking but I would not be able to write with it for too long like I can with my other pens.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I agree!

[@kjmav10135]

I LOVE my Studio. I must have dry hands because I’ve never had trouble with slipping. I like the weight, the posting, the converter-all of the things. This is the second pen I ever bought. Still use it nearly every day. I just ordered my first Safari, though I have 17 pens already. I figure I’d give it a go since it up is supposedly everybody’s beginner pen.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Yeah, the Studio is great! It's a well-designed, sturdy pen. I might be able to get used to the grip section, but I'm so used to the Safari that I've just kind of stuck with that. I use my Safaris every day. Let me know what you think of yours!

[@afongen]

Good review and interesting comments, thank you. I had not considered fingers tiring because of re-adjusting the pen; I'll keep an eye out for that in longer writing sessions next time I ink up a Studio. Thanks too, for the book recommendation! :)

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks for trusting me with your Studio!

[@subhadipmaji4987]

You should try their 14k nibs ...one of the best gold nibs available in the market

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Cool! Unfortunately they are a bit out of my price range.

[@neilpiper9889]

If you want a low cost alternative to the Studio you could try a Jinhao 80. I have one that I swapped a Lamy 1.1 nib on to. My daily carry now.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Not a bad idea; however, I'm personally not a fan of Jinhao, partly because so many of their pens feel like knock offs, and also because their cheap prices sketch me out. I've been meaning to look into it, but I'm suspicious of their labor practices.

[@jean-sebastienturgeon5861]

Good review, thank you!

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thank YOU for watching!

[@Turbostiewen]

When the scratch under the clip gets bigger on older and often used models of the studio, it starts looking like the pen is smiling, because the scratch goes up on oth sides :-)

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Lol That's hilarious.

[@cliffberry1900]

I'm undecided as to the Studio or a Diplomat Esteem. Any insights?

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

That's a great question! I can see why you are considering both, since they share some design elements. I have not used a Diplomat Esteem, so I can't give you a full comparison. What I can say, though, is that the Lamy Studio is an impressive pen. It feels really solid and classy. The only downsides for me are the slick grip section and the way the propeller clip scratches the paint. The Esteem's design seems like it has sidestepped some those issues. The only downside is that the Esteem doesn't have an easily replaceable nib like the Studio does. If I had to choose between the two, I would probably go with the Esteem simply because it seems like the grip section will have more friction. Hope that helps!

[@cliffberry1900]

@@DowntheBreatherHole Thanks. I think I will go for the Esteem. I've heard nothing but good regarding Diplomat.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

@@cliffberry1900 let me know how it goes!

[@eylulakbulut4475]

Does it make the hand sweat a lot? I really wanna buy one but i am scared of that

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

The Lamy Studio won't make your hand sweat, but it can be a little slippery sometimes. If you are concerned about it, I recommend looking at getting the brushed steel Lamy Studio, which has a matte black grip section.

[@eylulakbulut4475]

@@DowntheBreatherHole thanks, i will consider that when i am buying

[@Eugensson]

i still find the Lamy CP1 better. It is such a sleeper fountain pen.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

I've had my eye on the Lamy CP1 for a long time. It seems like a really good pen, even if it is a little boring. haha

[@Eugensson]

@@DowntheBreatherHole that's the point. It looks like a regular cheap boring pen, but it has a surprise. A true sleeper.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

@@Eugensson haha yep. I'm all about function over form.

[@houghwhite411]

There is a good deal of variation in Lamy's nib. That's what made the nib special. I own 2 fine safari and they write totally differently

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Thanks! That's interesting to know.

[@Outerwebs]

Shame the clip wrecks the finish on most of the variants, and can't be removed.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Yeah, it is a shame. It's such a nice pen despite a couple of design flaws.

[@janm3029]

Unfortunately you don’t tell me the one thing I really wanted to know - what is the shape of the grip? You say it is very very nice, but not actually what the shape is. Is it round or does it have moulded finger formers like the safari or vista? Lamy do very nice italic nibs, but if you are an italic writer the grip positions on safari, vista, etc. dont allow for the finger positioning that an italic writer - myself - requires. Hard to tell the grip shape from pictures and videos.

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

Huh, I guess I didn't talk about the grip section shapes because I thought it would be obvious. I probably talked more about it in my video where I compare the Studio and Safari. In any event, the Lamy Studio has a round grip section, so it's a good option for those who need an alternative to the triangular grip section of the Lamy Safari.

[@vijay591]

This guy talk about this pen half an hour about aesthetic

[@DowntheBreatherHole]

This guy can hear you. Haha What would you rather I say about the Lamy Studio?

[@cliffberry1900]

​@@DowntheBreatherHole I thought it was a very balanced review; not overly aesthetically slanted whatsoever.