EVERYTHING you need to know: Lamy Safari

The Lamy Safari is the most ubiquitous entry-level fountain pen and this video is a complete beginner's guide, plus stick around 'til the end because there's a giveaway for 2 of them!

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LINKS & TIMELINE
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Some of the links below are affiliate links. For example, as an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you!

✅ LINKS for Lamy Safari Fountain Pen items from this video:

0:00 - Intro - the Lamy Safari Fountain Pen
0:36 - Unboxing the Lamy Safari
1:02 - Design/Features of the Lamy Safari
2:10 - Smooth vs Textured Barrel
3:27 - Initial Setup of the Lamy Safari
4:20 - How to Replace/Change the Nib
5:21 - Writing Test of all Lamy Safari Nibs
7:31 - Changing Inks (Intro)
7:45 - How to Clean a Lamy Safari
8:25 - Lamy Ink Convertor Operation
8:43 - Using the Ink Convertor to Clean
9:34 - How to use Bottled Ink with Lamy Safari
10:47 - Paper considerations for Fountain Pens

I use my fountain pens and notebooks every single day, and if you've been with me for a while, know that I use them more than I use my phone. From taking notes during meetings and Zoom calls, to productivity-planning and process-design, the frequency at which I use my Lamy Safari fountain pens is pretty nuts, which is all to say that I think I'm at least kind of qualified to talk about them, haha.

In this video I go through everything, from the unboxing, taking a look at the design features, the initial setup, Lamy Safari cleaning, Lamy Safari nibs (nib sizes and how to change nibs), how to do a Lamy Safari ink refill, and of course writing tests, samples, and share the inks and Lamy Ink Convertor tips.

There's something visceral about writing things down by hand, and something even more special yet after I started using fountain pens. Maybe it's some old-world charm; maybe it's the intentionalism required in minor upkeep, but either way, after I took the plunge into using the Lamy Safari as my primary EDC pen, there's been no turning back.

The "problem" with fountain pens though, is that they can get real expensive real quickly, and so the Lamy Safari is a great entry-level fountain pen, attainable at about $20 USD, compared to the hundreds of dollars for some other models. The Safari by Lamy has become a bit of a cult-classic and a combination of the design, ease of use, design, history, and longevity, make it easy to see why.

If you asked me two years ago, I would've never considered a fountain pen as an everyday carry pen because when I thought of fountain pens, I'd think of my grandpa's shirt with ink-stains on the pockets and figured they'd be way too finicky to enjoy as an EDC writing tool, but like most things that have stood the test of time, improvements have been made over the decades and centuries and the Lamy Safari fountain pen is no different.

There's a very short giveaway entry-window, so be sure to enter for your chance to win both the glossy and matte finished Lamy Safari's in black!

#LamySafari2022 #BeginnersGuide #Giveaway

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DISCLAIMERS:

Some of the links above have an affiliate code, if you purchase gear with these links I will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.

This video was not paid for, in money or in kind, by outside persons or companies. This means that the content of this video and my opinions are 100% my own, and were not reviewed or paid for by any third party.

[markusseitle]

It's funny here in Germany it's still quite common that elementary school kid's have to use fountain pens in class for learning cursive. And many of those kid's get lamis for their first day of School

[Mohammad-lejq]

Excuse me, you’re beyond professionalism.

[SaraX]

Amazing how their design has never changed. We had to buy a Lamy in the second grade of elementary school back in the 90s in Germany to learn proper cursive handwriting. They suggested to buy the red / wooden one, but I had the black one. Nothing has changed which speaks for its quality.

[imjustinb]

This video covers absolutely everything I wanted to know about fountain pens in great detail. Also really appreciate how you illustrate everything, showing how to fill the inks, what bleeding is on paper etc - amazing to actually see it all, really helps to demonstrate what you’re talking about. 10/10 video - thank you!!!

[just.bondarenko]

Watching this video in 2023 just sitting in Berlin mall. After this video I headed to LAMY stand immediately. Loved these pens from the first letter written. Thank you!

[paulvanobberghen]

Can’t believe these are still around! I was enjoying these pens decades ago, when computers where not that much around. I’ll order one right away!

[pacfic]

One of the best, if not THE BEST starter fountain pen. An icon of durability, ergonomic design, smooth flow and quality at a very affordable price.

[seanthomas]

I've been considering getting a Lamy Safari and I've wondered about what size nib to get. I really appreciate that you gave us a quick description of each of the nibs.

[meta]

Lamy is the most reliable pen I’ve used ever among my other fountain pens, never fail on me even with difficult inks, never leaked even on planes etc. and easy to clean and change nib. It was my first fountain pen and I’ve used in high school and it was used so much that grind the nib flat, but I just changed the nib and it’s good to go, it is also my italic and old English etc. calligraphy pen, I just need to change the nib.
Something I don’t like are the grip guide and the stiffness of the nib, and being European brand it doesn’t go finer than its EF nib. But those are completely personal preference and it’s still my favourite pen.

[redredrubyred]

I just discovered and now want, this pen. Your video was fantastic. You’re an excellent teacher. Thank you.

[NaturalMystic]

I used Schaeffer fountain pens in the 70s and 80s in school to learn cursive, then all but forgot about them when I switched to ballpoints. I still have several from back then in storage but about 6 years ago I rediscovered fountain pens on YouTube and immediately bought a matte black Lamy Safari, a a Kaweco Liliput, and several "disposables" from other brands, along with various inks. I just gave my young daughter one so she can learn to appreciate them also, especially in this age when cursive isn't taught any more in school and the majority of work is done on laptops/Chromebooks. Good penmanship is an art and one I want her to take pride in.

[ajaythomas]

I bought one purely from your EDC video and i have been loving it using it everyday. Thank you for the new obsession 😄

[MossJenks]

I wish all YouTube informative/how-to videos were like this. Clear, concise and complete. Nicely filmed and good audio. Best of all no 10-minute ramble about how the author came to a point in their life where they thought their video was worth making!

[vintagebaby]

Seriously enjoyed this video, so easy & simple but very educational. I'm new to fountain pen writing but already head over heels in love! Thanks and now I must jump over to IG to follow there and enter your giveaway!

[robertjones]

This is the best "explainer" video I've seen on youTube, regardless of subject. Brilliant in covering all the subject points in an interwoven narrative. Crisp descriptions such as "nib wings" vice "the sides of the nib" results in a clear yet information dense conciseness presented with pro preparation. A joy to listen to!

[dmud]

It's been a long time since I watched a YouTube video without skipping. Man, so worth it! I am not a fountain pen user but this video may change that. Thanks!

[ryanfreedman]

Also good to know you can get a blunt syringe and refill empty cartridges with your choice of ink. I prefer this to converters because the capacity is higher and there are fewer moving parts to fiddle with. Just drop in and go

[jayguru]

The Lamy Safari EF Nib is a wonderful pen, beautiful and comfortable to write with.

[mimamo]

That's the pen most German high school (Gymnasium) kids use. Well, at least in my school time in the 2000s and 2010s.

[DrDankoff]

Here's what you need to know about the Lamy safari IF you are looking for a heavy use pen. If this is for an actual "work pen" that will see heavy use (am ER doc), the cap will stop functioning after a while. I have 20 of these, in parts. After some period, short enough that I end up with 20 dead ones in 4-5 years, all caps fall off/let go/don't hold on. ALL of them. Lamy's "fix" for this known issue if you contact them, with a picture of a whole basket of dead Safaris: buy a new cap at almost the price of a pen. 1. They were all REAL Lamys. 2. I know how to use fountain pens, have a fair collection that I do not use for work. 3. I recapped appropriately, certainly never once capped at an angle to catch the nib, or capped so hard as to bend the tines of crack a cap.

After this lesson in frustration, I bought 3 Faber-Castell Hexos. A year of the same heavy use on mostly 2 of the 3, so much more frequent than the Safaris, and all three still work with caps that fit and hold. The Lamy safari is a GREAT starter fountain pen. It is NOT a work pen, certainly not if it will be taken out 100+ times a day.