Saturday, January 11, 2014

The Lamy Safari: Reliable and Robust


It's the fountain pen of college students and frugal people. It's rugged, light, and comfortable to use. Of all the fountain pens I have used, it would be a top contender for an EDC pen without even stopping to consider what one's days may hold and how rugged the conditions might be.

Lamy was a little less subtle with the branding on the Safari when compared to the 2000.
There are quite a few aspects of the Safari that are really quite attractive. In addition to the aforementioned qualities, other smooth-writing nibs are cheaply and easily obtained and swapped out. The pen has an iconic ink window so you can keep track of how much ink you have left. The cap snaps firmly in place, held by a plastic O-ring, and has a nice, strong clip.

The ink window, back-lighted for your viewing pleasure.
It comes in multiple colors: a veritable plethora of colors in fact. It should be noted however, that there are different models that have the same basic form but do not each come in all the same colors. The Safari is made of durable ABS thermoplastic with a pleasantly pebbled texture. The Vista is basically just a demonstrator, but is marketed as its own model. The third and last is the Al-Star, which is made of smooth aluminum. The Al-Star is a little more classy but dents and dings a lot more easily. The Safari, by contrast is very difficult to scratch or gouge and it would crack or shatter before it dented. I suspect it to be the sort of pen that could well survive a drop of a story or two, though I have no intention of personally testing that theory. I'm sure others could provide personal testimony from drops and accidents.

Sometimes a top-down approach is best.
The Safari (as well as the Vista and Al-Star, I believe) can take either an ink cartridge or push-in converter. I've been using the blue Lamy ink cartridge that came with the pen, and I quite like it. It's very purply-blue when wet, but definitely dries blue. I'm hoping my Waterman ink works as well.

The nib itself is very smooth: one of the smoothest I own, in fact. In comparison, the medium nib on my Pilot Vanishing Point seems to be a fine or maybe even an extra fine. The German nibs definitely run larger than their Japanese counterparts, so buy accordingly. Although even if you are not pleased with the size, the other nibs can be easily obtained in black or silver. The medium nib, even though it's a little bigger than I like for my writing style, glides smoothly over the paper and puts down a nice even line of ink and hasn't skipped or blotted on me at all.


I can't say how much the ink converter holds, as I have yet to get a chance to use it, but it appears to hold a medium amount of ink (refilling is half the fun anyway, right?). For the person who does copious amounts of writing, purchasing the ink cartridges or refilling empty ones with a syringe may be the better option.

I generally prefer to write unposted to minimize hand fatigue, but the Safari is so light that it didn't really make a lot of difference either way. The grip is contoured and very comfortable, though someone with an oddball way of clutching their pen may find it awkward or uncomfortable.

I love everything about this pen: from the way the nib glides across the paper to the look of the skeletonized cardboard box it came in (which for some reason reminded me of the velociraptor cage in the first Jurassic Park). I love everything about this pen except for one thing: the pocket clip. It's unique, but I wouldn't expect it to win any beauty contests (maybe a couple of ugly contests!). However, as ugly as it is, I must say it seems pretty robust. While it's very wide, it also has a pretty low profile and seems to be very strong. I have no issue with clipping it in my jeans pocket for the day. It seems pretty unlikely to hook on anything when squeezing through tight spaces or hopping out of the car.

The cap in all its un-beauty.
The Velociraptor Cage
And although it is unsightly, I obviously don't consider the cap to be a deal breaker since I'm planning to buy an Al-Star soon. It detracts from the form of the pen but not the function. Overall, the Safari is hardy, light, inexpensive, and comfortable. It's great for students, those who want to test the magic of fountain pens without breaking the bank, or someone who knows they are going to be using it in an environment that might not be very ideal for a $300 writing instrument (the best location to use those is in a locked vault that have been completely covered in velvet on the inside). Well done, Lamy. Well done.

Price: 10/10
Durability: 10/10
Functionality: 10/10
Form: 10/10 (body), 3/10 (cap) = 6.5/10
Overall score: 36.5/40 = 91% for an A-

Friday, January 10, 2014

A Harmless Obsession(?)

Some addictions are quite understandable and almost an unnoticed pandemic: things like fast cars, video games, funny memes, and Nutella. These things are quite socially acceptable and no one really thinks twice about them. You want a nice car? So does everyone else. Nutella? Duh. Video games? They can suck your life away and you don't even notice. And everyone likes a funny cat meme now and then.

Some people are obsessed with a little bit less mainstream things: like name-brand clothing, $10,000 watches, or rare antiques. "Give me Armani or give me death!" some will say. Still others won't even bother to look at a watch that costs less than $500. 

Then there is that occasional person that owns way more fine writing instruments than one human could ever possibly need: and the average person looks at them as if they were in possession of multiple noses and an extra leg, generally unable to comprehend the idea of having any writing utensil that is not disposable.

In retrospect, I think I was always destined to end up like this. I can remember rooting around in my parents' drawers, looking for nice pens, before I was eight. I was fascinated by them. My dad used to have a couple old fountain pens (Parkers, maybe?) that I would love to get my hands on now, and he has always had a bit of a taste for nicer pens as well.

My own pen collection has grown like an overfed weed in the last few months, and as I remember each of those purchases, I find myself able to easily identify with this feline (speaking of cat memes):


Then I like to justify my...excessive appreciation...for fine writing instruments with thoughts like, "Cocaine is way worse," and, "At least I won't get pulled over for driving while impaired because of my new fountain pen."

In fact, I don't even really like to acknowledge my condition because doing so implies that there is a problem.

I don't have a problem.

I can stop anytime I want to.

Really.

I just don't want to.

And such is the life of a penaholic.