LAMY Safari: One month in

[Letsgoalready]

I have had this pen, a LAMY Safari with an EF nib, for a little over a month now, my first fountain pen. It has been life changing. I used to take my school notes on an iPad but now I am back to pen and paper. I have taken this pen from the classroom, to the field, and just everyday use. I am on my second ink cartridge. It stays in my uniform or backpack, and I have had no issue with the cap falling off. It does well in the classroom, doing okay on my notebook, but I plan on buying a more heavy duty notebook for next semester. Out in the cold and snow of the field last month this pen kept trucking while other pens couldn't write. I carry a Field Notes Memo Book in my back pocket at all times and it has thicker paper the pen does well on. Sometimes the ink skips a little bit but that is probably my fault for setting the pen down cap off during class. Overall a great pen and I have to thank @blethenstrom for his help whenever I have questions about fountain pens.

Pros:
- Easy to write with
- Ergonomic grip
- Low price point
- Easy to carry
- Makes me want to buy more

Cons:
- Struggles on regular notebooks every now and then
- Snap on cap
- Sometimes has ink issues
- Makes me want to buy more

 

[dojpros]

Great!!!

May I recommend a more fountainpen friendly notebook as a potential solution to any issues?

An A7 ( 3 x 5ish) notebook made by Mauruman (Japanese) or Rhodia (French) are far more FP friendly than the Field Notes brand of notebooks.

B7 (7x10) notebooks by the same companies as well as Campus (Kokuyo) do very well with Lamy fountain pens.

 

[blethenstrom]

I have had this pen, a LAMY Safari with an EF nib, for a little over a month now, my first fountain pen. It has been life changing. I used to take my school notes on an iPad but now I am back to pen and paper. I have taken this pen from the classroom, to the field, and just everyday use. I am on my second ink cartridge. It stays in my uniform or backpack, and I have had no issue with the cap falling off. It does well in the classroom, doing okay on my notebook, but I plan on buying a more heavy duty notebook for next semester. Out in the cold and snow of the field last month this pen kept trucking while other pens couldn't write. I carry a Field Notes Memo Book in my back pocket at all times and it has thicker paper the pen does well on. Sometimes the ink skips a little bit but that is probably my fault for setting the pen down cap off during class. Overall a great pen and I have to thank @blethenstrom for his help whenever I have questions about fountain pens.

Pros:
- Easy to write with
- Ergonomic grip
- Low price point
- Easy to carry
- Makes me want to buy more

Cons:
- Struggles on regular notebooks every now and then
- Snap on cap
- Sometimes has ink issues
- Makes me want to buy more

Like @dojpros pointed out they're are some notebooks that have much more fountain pen friendly paper.

It is not necessary the thicker paper that is better. It is more like smoother paper that does not absorb the ink as quickly that works better. One drawback with that is that the ink takes a bit longer to dry as well.

Do you think you would prefer a screw cap? The Lamy small cap is a bit on the easier side to uncap. There are snap caps pens that have firmer fit.

Fountain pens in general do require a little bit but more maintenence than ball points and gel pens. Every so many cartridges you might want to flush through the pen just to clean it. Once you are ready you can also get a converter for the pen and am ink bottle but that would potentially open up another rabbit hole.

Yep one pen is never enough just like one safety razor or not enough.

 

[CdnShaveGuy]

I use, and love the Sailor (pigment, “Sei-boku") Ink products in my Lamy Safari.

Great colours, fast drying. Since you write regularly, less of a chance to clog the pen (as pigments ink are known for). Sometimes, you can find it on sale if you're patient.

 

[BMFtoolco]

I picked up a Lamy Al-star on Amazon for cheaper than the safari the other day. In case you were looking for a spare. I really like it. It should be the same pen in an “aluminum” case. I love writing on the Rhodia paper. It does take a second or two to dry though.

 

[Letsgoalready]

Thank you everyone for the advice!

An A7 ( 3 x 5ish) notebook made by Mauruman (Japanese) or Rhodia (French) are far more FP friendly than the Field Notes brand of notebooks.

B7 (7x10) notebooks by the same companies as well as Campus (Kokuyo) do very well with Lamy fountain pens.

The A7 and B7 sound like a great fit, my memo pad is my quick notes and I have a notebook for each class.

Do you think you would prefer a screw cap? The Lamy small cap is a bit on the easier side to uncap. There are snap caps pens that have firmer fit.

I don't care one way or another, the pen holder in my uniform makes sure the cap doesn't come off.

Fountain pens in general do require a little bit but more maintenence than ball points and gel pens. Every so many cartridges you might want to flush through the pen just to clean it.

I had flushed the pen after my first cartridge before I put the second one in.

I picked up a Lamy Al-star on Amazon for cheaper than the safari the other day. In case you were looking for a spare. I really like it. It should be the same pen in an “aluminum” case.

ooooh... I didn't know they made an aluminum model. That will have to be something I pick up if it is in an all black model.

 

[Kbbond]

Look out for FPAD! Lol

(Fountain pen acquisition disorder) I started with a Safari, now have a drawer full of fountain pens including two vintage pens. It’s real and probably incurable - wait until you write with a Pilot 823 in a medium nib

 

[Letsgoalready]

Look out for FPAD! Lol

(Fountain pen acquisition disorder) I started with a Safari, now have a drawer full of fountain pens including two vintage pens. It’s real and probably incurable - wait until you write with a Pilot 823 in a medium nib

FPAD has to take a backseat to RAD, plus if I ever spent $320 on a pen I must have won the lottery. I will probably cap out at 3 pens. One for the uniform, one for the backpack, one for the desk.

 

[BMFtoolco]

Look out for FPAD! Lol

(Fountain pen acquisition disorder) I started with a Safari, now have a drawer full of fountain pens including two vintage pens. It’s real and probably incurable - wait until you write with a Pilot 823 in a medium nib

I have a general acquisition disorder. Haha. If it’s not razors it pens! Good thing I’m not in to sports cars. Yet.

 

[blethenstrom]

FPAD has to take a backseat to RAD, plus if I ever spent $320 on a pen I must have won the lottery. I will probably cap out at 3 pens. One for the uniform, one for the backpack, one for the desk.

Lamy 2000's(my personal favorite and yes they are black) are awful nice. Just saying..... My favorite. Just kidding. Yes fountain pen AD is very real and super dangerous. I think a cure for potential AD I recommend trying to plan for you to be home visiting when the DC supershow is in DC. That ought to cure you forever....or....maybe that would make it worse..hmm. Pen shows are very much fun but oh so dangerous. We have one here in Raleigh every year and it gives me a bit of the shakes.

Just to let you know......yep they have a Lamy Al-Star in all black.

 

[Letsgoalready]

I think a cure for potential AD I recommend trying to plan for you to be home visiting when the DC supershow is in DC. That ought to cure you forever....or....maybe that would make it worse..hmm. Pen shows are very much fun but oh so dangerous.

There is a small chance I am home the first day of the convention...

 

[blethenstrom]

There is a small chance I am home the first day of the convention...

Just be careful. That is all I can say. Lots of temptations.

 

[Vacumatic]

You may want to consider buying a Lamy converter and a bottle of Lamy ink, this will save you money and produces no plastic waste also the filling of the pen pulling ink through the nib and feed helps to flush the pen.

The Lamy bottle with the dimple is also a very good design, gives up 95% of the ink capacity.

 

[DrakeMegrim]

If you're trying to keep costs low, get a syringe and Noodlers X-feather. That ink does well on "normal" paper. I've had decent luck with Composition notebooks and regular Noodlers Black but YMMV.