The LAMY Safari has been one of the most recommended fountain pens in the world since it launched in the 1980s. It appears on virtually every beginner's list, is stocked by every quality pen retailer, and is owned by millions of people who first bought it as a starter pen and never felt the need to replace it. This guide explains exactly why — and covers every version and accessory in the Safari family.
Why the LAMY Safari?
Three things make the Safari work as well as it does. The first is the design. Inspired by Bauhaus principles — form following function, nothing added for its own sake — the Safari has a triangular grip section that guides the fingers naturally into a tripod hold, which is the most efficient grip for extended writing. The wire clip slides over thick notebook covers without stress. The ink window in the barrel lets you see how much ink remains. Every feature exists because it's useful.
The second is durability. The Safari body is ABS plastic — the same material used in Lego bricks — chosen for its exceptional impact resistance. A Safari dropped on a tile floor will not crack. This matters more than it sounds for an everyday pen.
The third is the nib system. Safari nibs are replaceable and interchangeable across the entire Safari family and many other LAMY models. Buy the pen in one nib size; swap to another without buying a new pen. This makes the Safari a platform as much as a product.
The fountain pen: nibs explained
The Safari fountain pen is available with steel nibs in six standard sizes: Extra Fine (EF), Fine (F), Medium (M), Broad (B), Left-Handed (LH), and Italic/Calligraphy. Replacement nibs are available in all sizes and can be swapped in seconds — pull the old nib off, press the new one on.
Which nib to start with: For most writers, Medium is the right starting point. It writes smoothly, shows ink character well, and suits most handwriting sizes. If your handwriting is small or precise, Fine is the better choice. If you write predominantly in block capitals or large script, Broad will be more satisfying. The Extra Fine is the finest nib in the range and suits very small handwriting or writing in planners with tight grids.
LAMY nibs run slightly broader than Japanese nibs of the same stated size — a LAMY Medium writes similarly to a Western Medium but broader than a Japanese Medium. If you're comparing LAMY to Pilot or Sailor, go one size smaller in LAMY than you'd choose in a Japanese pen.
The Left-Handed nib is designed with a slight upward curve that suits the hooked grip many left-handed writers develop, reducing the scratching and skipping that can result from writing with a nib at the wrong angle. Worth trying if you're a left-handed writer who has found other fountain pens difficult.
The Italic nib produces the calligraphic line variation characteristic of italic and copperplate hands — thick downstrokes, thin cross-strokes. LAMY produces a range of italic calligraphy nibs for the Safari, including 1.1mm, 1.5mm, and 1.9mm widths.
Inks for the LAMY Safari
The Safari accepts LAMY's proprietary T10 cartridges, which come in a wide colour range — blue, blue-black, black, red, green, turquoise, and violet among others. It also accepts the LAMY Z26 converter, which allows you to fill from any bottled ink.
LAMY inks are well-matched to the Safari's nib — they run on the dry side, which suits a pen used for everyday note-taking on ordinary papers. If you want to explore inks beyond the LAMY range, the converter opens up the full world of fountain pen inks. The Safari behaves well with most dye-based inks; very heavily pigmented or shimmer inks need more frequent cleaning.
The LAMY AL-star: the aluminium upgrade
The AL-star is the same pen as the Safari in every respect except the body material — the AL-star uses anodised aluminium rather than ABS plastic. The result is a slightly heavier pen with a more premium feel in the hand and a somewhat different colour palette (the AL-star launches its own colour editions separately from the Safari). Performance is identical; the choice is personal preference for a plastic or metal body.
The AL-star is available as a fountain pen, ballpoint, rollerball, and mechanical pencil, matching the full Safari lineup.
The LAMY Lx: the premium version
The Lx is the luxury tier of the Safari family — the same body design but with precious-metal PVD coating on the nib and clip finial, and anodised aluminium in tonal colourways. Available only as a fountain pen and rollerball. If the Safari design appeals but you want something that reads as an adult professional pen rather than a practical workhorse, the Lx is the option.
Beyond the fountain pen
The Safari family covers all four common pen and pencil types.
Safari Ballpoint: Uses LAMY's M16 oil-based ballpoint refill. Click to extend. Available in the same colour range as the fountain pen. Fast-drying, writes on virtually any surface. The most practical everyday carry option — requires no technique, works immediately, and the same distinctive body design as the fountain pen.
Safari Rollerball: Uses water-based rollerball ink — closer in feel to a fountain pen than the ballpoint, smoother, but slower-drying. Available capped. Good for writers who want fountain pen smoothness without the maintenance.
Safari Mechanical Pencil: 0.5mm lead, same ABS body, small replaceable eraser under the clicker button with a cleaning rod attached. Takes any standard 0.5mm lead. Available in the same colour range.
Colours and special editions
LAMY releases new Safari colours every year, typically including both standard additions to the permanent range and limited-time special editions. Standard colours include the classics — Shiny Black, Charcoal, Yellow, White, Blue, Red, Green, Pink, and Clear (a transparent demonstrator body). Special editions are announced annually and sell out reliably.
At The Journal Shop we stock a curated selection of current Safari colours across the fountain pen, ballpoint, rollerball, and mechanical pencil. Limited editions are worth ordering promptly — they typically run for a single season and are not restocked once sold out.
Is the Safari the right pen for you?
The Safari is the right pen for almost everyone starting with fountain pens. It is robust enough to carry without anxiety, well-made enough to write beautifully, and simple enough not to require any particular technique beyond holding a pen correctly. The nib swap system means you can fine-tune your writing experience without replacing the pen.
Where the Safari is less suited: anyone who finds the triangular grip uncomfortable, which occasionally happens with non-standard grip styles. And anyone who wants a very heavy or very slender pen — the Safari's dimensions are deliberate and moderate.
Browse the full LAMY Safari range at The Journal Shop, including all current colours, nib sizes, and the converter for bottled ink use.
