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Safari
The default recommendation for a first fountain pen: swappable steel nibs, a signature triangular grip, and parts available everywhere.
Priced squarely in first-pen territory: low enough that trying fountain pens for the first time doesn't feel like a gamble.
Specs
About Lamy
Founded in Heidelberg in 1930, Lamy became known from the 1960s onward for pairing German industrial design with accessible fountain pens: the Lamy 2000 (1966) and Safari (1980) are two of the most recognized pen silhouettes in the world. This model, Safari, dates to 1980.
How to fill the Lamy Safari
Fill it two ways: snap in a pre-filled international cartridge for convenience, or use a converter (a small plunger or twist mechanism that installs the same way a cartridge does) to draw ink from any bottle. The converter route opens up the entire world of bottled ink, which is where most of the hobby's color variety lives.
Choosing a nib size
Nib size determines line width, not writing pressure: fountain pens are meant to glide, never press. Extra-fine (EF) suits small, dense handwriting and thin paper; fine (F) is the most broadly recommended default; medium (M) shows more ink character and shading; broad (B) and stub grinds favor bold, expressive strokes and calligraphy-adjacent writing.
Keeping it clean
A quick flush with cool water every time you switch ink colors, plus a full clean every 4 to 6 weeks of regular use, is enough to keep the nib and feed performing well. Inktend's cleaning reminder is tuned to a 21-day baseline and adjusts naturally to how often you actually refill.
Pairing inks with the Safari
Because refills are quick with a cartridge or converter, this is a good pen for rotating through several colors rather than committing to one; sample vials work especially well here.
Frequently asked questions
More from Lamy
Specs on this page have been individually verified against manufacturer and retailer listings.