Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

The Safari is the entry-level "school" fountain pen in Lamy's product line, and it shares the attributes of most Lamy pens: they're functional, sturdy, and entirely unpretentious. Most low-end fountain pens from other manufacturers are either cheaper versions of their more expensive models, or intentionally tarted up to look like more expensive pens (Waterman's Phileas with its faux art deco styling and printed marbling pattern comes to mind.) The Safari, on the other hand, is a clean, simple, and unadorned original design. The construction of the Safari is bulletproof. It's made of ABS plastic, the nib is a steel point that's very easy to swap out, and both the Lamy standard cartridge and the optional converter hold a ton of ink. The clip is a bent wire, like an oversized paper clip, and when you put a Safari in your pocket, it'll stay right where you placed it. The Lamy steel nib is somewhat of a standard among their pens--the same nib that's on the Safari can be found on their more expensive Studio, Accent, CP1, and half a dozen other models. It just pulls straight off the feed for cleaning or replacement, and you can swap it out in five seconds for a different size. (The standard Lamy nib is inexpensive and comes in many nib sizes, from extra-fine to broad, and they even make calligraphy versions in three different widths.) For a starter pen, the Safari represents the best value on the market. The nibs are uniformly good, the pen is damn near impossible to kill (it was designed for rough-and-tumble school use), and it can be had in many different colors. With the optional converter, you can use the many bottled inks out there, which is half the fun of writing with a fountain pen. Many fountain pen aficionados have started with a Safari, and many who did still have theirs as part of their pen rotation, because they're so tough and useful. A note on colors and textures: the Charcoal version of the Safari has a slightly rough finish, which some people prefer over the slicker plastic finish of all the other Safaris because it's less slippery. Also, the Safari's section (the part you have your fingers on) is indented into a triangular shape to steer your fingers into the proper orientation for fountain pen writing. Most users are fine with it, but some don't like the Safari's slightly unorthodox section. For around $30, you get a first-rate fountain pen that will hold its own against pens of three or five times the Safari's price point. It's a very utilitarian design, without a bit of "bling" on it, but when it comes to entry-level fountain pens, I can't think of a better pick for the money.