Some products earn their reputation. The Lamy Safari has been the entry point for millions of fountain pen enthusiasts — including me. I bought my first Safari in 2014 in charcoal black, wrote with it every day for two years, and it still writes perfectly today. It’s not the fanciest pen I own — not by a long shot — but it might be the most important one.
In this full Lamy Safari review, I’m going to cover everything: the design, the nib feel, the ink system, who it’s ideal for, and how it stacks up against its closest competitor, the Pilot Metropolitan. By the end, you’ll know exactly whether the Safari deserves a place in your collection.
Short answer: Yes, it does. But read on for the full picture.
Design and Build Quality
The Body
The Lamy Safari is made from ABS plastic — the same tough polymer used in LEGO bricks. That’s not a slight. ABS is nearly indestructible under normal use, resistant to solvents, and holds color beautifully. I’ve dropped mine on concrete, sat on it, and once found it under a car seat after three days. Still writes perfectly.
The shape is distinctive: a slightly squared barrel with softly rounded corners, a clip that loops over a barrel ring (rather than clamping), and a triangular grip section that tapers toward the nib. The design language is pure Bauhaus — functional, clean, no decoration for decoration’s sake.
The Grip
The triangular grip is the Safari’s most talked-about feature, and for good reason. It’s designed to guide your fingers into proper pen-holding technique: index finger in the flat front section, thumb on the side, middle finger supporting from below.
For most people, this feels natural and comfortable after a few minutes. For those who hold their pens at unusual angles (extreme side grip, writing with the pen almost parallel to the page), the triangular section can feel restrictive. I’d strongly recommend trying one at a pen store if you’re unsure — but for 80% of writers, it’s a feature, not a bug.
The Clip
The wire clip is iconic and genuinely functional. It clips onto shirt pockets, notebook covers, and pen cases without scratching or deforming over time. It also bounces back if you flex it, unlike the thin plastic clips that snap on cheap pens.
Color Range
This is where the Safari really shines for pen enthusiasts. Lamy releases limited edition colors every year alongside the permanent lineup, which currently includes:
- Charcoal (matte black)
- White
- Blue
- Red
- Yellow
- Green
- Neon Coral, Neon Lime (neon series)
- Savannah (limited — a beautiful sage green)
- …and many more seasonal colors
Limited editions sell out fast and sometimes appreciate in value. The Safari has a genuine collector community around its color releases.
Nib Options and Writing Feel
The Safari’s steel nib comes in the following widths:
- EF (Extra Fine) — Very thin line, great for small handwriting and detailed work
- F (Fine) — My personal daily use width
- M (Medium) — The most popular width, smooth and wet
- B (Broad) — Bold lines, great for signatures
- LH (Left-Handed) — Specifically designed for left-handed overwriters
- 1.1mm Italic/Calligraphy — Stub nib with line variation, excellent for lettering
The nib itself is stamped steel with a classic shape. My Fine nib writes with a smooth, slightly springy feel — not as buttery as Pilot’s nibs, but with a satisfying feedback. The Medium is wetter and particularly smooth.
The real advantage: Lamy nibs are swappable. All Safari nibs use the same mount, meaning you can pull one off and snap another on in seconds. If you buy an EF and decide you want a 1.1mm calligraphy nib, you don’t need a new pen — just a new nib ($10-15 on Amazon). This is genuinely unique at the Safari’s price point.
Ink System: Cartridge vs. Converter
Cartridges (T10)
The Safari comes with one or two Lamy T10 cartridges. These are Lamy’s proprietary short cartridges. They’re convenient, clean, and available in a good range of colors including blue, black, blue-black, red, green, and turquoise.
Downsides: T10 cartridges are more expensive per milliliter than bottled ink, and you’re limited to Lamy’s color offerings.
The Z24 Converter
For the full fountain pen experience, you want the Lamy Z24 converter (sold separately for about $8). This is a piston-fill converter that fits perfectly in the Safari, allowing you to fill from any bottled ink.
With the Z24, the entire world of fountain pen inks opens up — thousands of colors, shimmer inks, iron gall inks, scented inks. It’s worth the extra spend.
Note on the Z24: It’s a small-capacity converter, holding about 0.6mL. That’s less than some converters, so heavy writers may find themselves refilling more often. The ink-visible window on the converter is a nice touch — you can see when you’re running low.
Who Is the Lamy Safari Best For?
The Safari is perfect for:
- Complete beginners who want a proven, reliable pen that won’t let them down
- Students who need a durable pen that survives the bottom of a backpack
- People who want options — the swappable nib system lets you experiment without buying multiple pens
- Left-handed writers — the LH nib is thoughtfully designed and genuinely useful
- Calligraphy learners — the 1.1mm italic nib offers beautiful line variation for practice
It’s less ideal for:
- Writers who prefer a heavy brass pen with a premium feel (look at the Pilot Metropolitan for that)
- Those who need a discreet, subtle pen for professional settings (the colorful designs are eye-catching)
- Extremely fine writers — the EF is decent but not the finest available
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Near-indestructible ABS plastic body
- Triangular grip promotes proper technique
- Swappable nibs across the entire Safari/AL-Star line
- Beautiful color range with frequent limited editions
- LH nib available for left-handed writers
- Iconic, timeless design
- Easy to find parts and accessories worldwide
Cons
- Triangular grip uncomfortable for some hold styles
- Plastic body may feel less premium than brass alternatives
- Z24 converter sold separately (not included)
- Proprietary T10 cartridges limit cartridge ink options
- Nib can feel slightly scratchy for extremely smooth writers at some angles
Lamy Safari vs. Pilot Metropolitan
This is the comparison everyone asks about. Here’s my honest take after owning both for years:
| Feature | Lamy Safari | Pilot Metropolitan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~$30-35 | ~$20 |
| Body material | ABS plastic | Brass |
| Weight | Light (~16g) | Heavier (~20g) |
| Nib feel | Slightly springy, feedback | Smooth, buttery |
| Nib swappability | Yes (snap-on) | No |
| Color options | 20+ including limited editions | ~12 patterns |
| Grip | Triangular (polarizing) | Round (universally comfortable) |
| Converter included | No (sold separately) | Yes (squeeze converter) |
My recommendation: If you prefer a smooth, premium-feeling pen and plan to stick with one nib width, buy the Metropolitan. If you want colorful options, like the triangular grip, or plan to experiment with multiple nib widths without buying multiple pens, buy the Safari.
Honestly? If you’re serious about the hobby, buy both. Together they’re under $60 and between them cover almost every beginner scenario.
Verdict
The Lamy Safari has sold millions of units for a reason. It’s reliable, customizable, virtually indestructible, and backed by an ecosystem of nibs, cartridges, and accessories that make it grow with you as your skills develop.
Is it the smoothest nib I own? No. Is it the most luxurious? Definitely not. But it’s the pen I’ve recommended to more people than any other, and I’ve never had a single person come back disappointed.
If you’re looking for your first fountain pen and want something you’ll still be reaching for five years from now, the Safari is your answer.
👉 Buy the Lamy Safari on Amazon
Have you tried the Safari? Let me know your experience in the comments — especially which color you went with.
— Alex Chen, nibguide.com