Lamy Safari - Fine - Fountain Pen

Writing & Gear Review

First Impressions of the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen

Spring Green, Fine Nib

Table of Contents

① Hesitation Around German Nibs

② Initial Writing Experience

③ Build Quality & Ergonomics

④ Plans for Comparison

⑤ Early Verdict

⑥ Ink Usage Stats

Opening

I recently picked up a Lamy Safari fountain pen in Spring Green with a Fine Point nib, marking my first new fountain pen purchase since 2018. The Lamy Safari has long been one of those pens I was endlessly curious about, yet hesitant to buy. For years, I debated whether it would suit my writing preferences, especially given what I had always heard about German nib sizing.

This is also my personal reward for completing the initial Machine Learning studies.

Section I

Hesitation Around German Nibs — Was Wrong

One of the main reasons I delayed buying a Lamy was the common belief that German fountain pen nibs tend to run wider than Japanese nibs. The general rule of thumb is that a German Fine is closer to a Japanese Medium. Since I strongly prefer thinner lines—typically Japanese Fine or Extra Fine—this gave me pause. I didn't want to end up with a pen that felt too broad for everyday writing.

Section II

Initial Writing Experience — Lamy Fine is Fine

Right out of the box, the Lamy Safari in Fine Point surprised me. On initial use, it writes very similarly to my Pilot Metropolitan Fine Point. Line width is much closer than expected, and certainly not the jump in thickness I had feared. In fact, the Lamy nib feels smoother and noticeably quieter on paper. This first impression is based on the cartridge that came with the pen, but it was enough to immediately ease my concerns about nib width.

Section III

Build Quality and Ergonomics

So far, the Lamy Safari feels well constructed and solid in hand. The design is simple, functional, and clearly built with durability in mind. Ergonomically, it's more comfortable than I anticipated and may even be comparable to my Pilot Custom 74 in terms of how it feels during longer writing sessions. The grip and balance make it easy to control, which adds to the overall positive experience.

The big bonus of the Lamy is the visible ink window.

Section IV

Plans for a True Comparison

As soon as I get a converter, I plan to load the Safari with Iroshizuku Kon-peki ink and do a proper side-by-side comparison with my Pilot Metropolitan. Using the same ink across both pens should give a clearer picture of how the nibs truly compare in terms of smoothness, flow, and line consistency.

Section V

Early Verdict — Great Pen

While it's still early, my initial impression of the Lamy Safari is very positive. It has already challenged some long-held assumptions I had about German nibs and has proven itself comfortable, smooth, and enjoyable to write with. I'm looking forward to spending more time with it and seeing how it stacks up once it's fully integrated into my regular rotation.

I paid about $40 ($28 pen + $7 converter and rest in taxes) and really am happy with the Lamy Safari. I'm seriously considering another Lamy and perhaps an Al-Star for the aluminum frame.

Section VI

Ink Usage Stats

Measured in Composition Notebook College Ruled

• → 01/18/26 — 83 pages with Lamy T10 cartridge

A personal review and field notes on the Lamy Safari Spring Green fountain pen—documenting initial impressions, nib performance, and early usage metrics.