It took me a while, but I finally caved and bought myself a Lamy Safari.

After more than six months of regular use, it has become one of my favourite writing instruments.

If you enjoy writing for pleasure or journaling, I highly recommend using a fountain pen. And I think this colourful German pen is a great place to start.

Here’s a list of the 5 reasons why the Lamy Safari is, in my opinion, the best first fountain pen.

It Feels Great to Use It

I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoy using this pen.

The ink¹ flow is good, the nib flies easily on my Leuchtturm1917 notebook. There is sometimes a slightly scratchy feel to it. This makes the physical experience even more satisfying.

I don’t have to press hard on the nib. It just works, and it is consistent.

I thought I was not going to like the grip at first. Unlike most pens, it is specially molded with two cuts where your fingers are supposed to go. It turns out I really like it now. It helps holding it in place, and I think it helps reduce hand fatigue after a long writing session.

I find this pen to be quite enjoyable to write with, especially considering its affordable price. I just wish it was a bit heavier!

It’s Cheap

The Safari typically costs between £15 and £25. It’s Lamy’s entry-level model, but I think it punches slightly above its weight in terms of quality and writing experience.

And it’s absolutely worth the extra few pounds over the cheapest brands.

For example, I love my Parker Vector, but the Safari is orders of magnitude more comfortable. I find it also far more consistent and reliable than my Parker Sonnet, that I bought for around £120.

It’s Widely Available

You can find it in high street shops like Ryman or Postmark, but also in good fountain pen shops like Choosing Keeping in Seven Dials.

It’s also widely available online.

Basically, the Lamy Safari is everywhere!

It Looks Cool

I love that it comes in pop colours, like this pretty yellow I picked for my own Safari. It gives a 70s feel to the contents of my pencil case! It’s a nice change from most fountain pens that come in dark colours, especially cheaper pens. Who said writing had to be so serious?

I like this simple, minimalist design with straight lines, the logo molded in the pen’s body, the opening that lets you see the ink inside, the big metal clip, and the top of the cap that looks like it could fit a Phillips head screwdriver.

I’m not a fan of the austere nib, but that’s the Lamy vibe. I got used to it after a while.

Oh, and it’s basically made out of Lego!

It’s Built Like a Tank

It’s super consistent, sturdy and reliable. I’ve had little issues with it, and it’s so easy to maintain. The nib pops right off without much effort, and replacement nibs are available online.

Lamy sells a converter, which allows you to pump fountain pen ink from a bottle, and use it like a cartridge.

Apart from its weight, it doesn’t feel fragile, and I know I can put my trust in it.

And it’s cheap, so I can get another one anyway!

Conclusion

If you want to start actually enjoying writing, the Lamy Safari can help! Whether you are a seasoned writer or just starting out, this affordable and reliable pen can change the game. It’s a great way to slow down and enjoy the process of putting pen to paper.

I ended up loving this pen. Now, I can’t really do without it², and I make sure I alternate every few days, to make sure I get to write with it.

I regularly recommend it to anyone starting out with fountain pens. It’s a great first experience, and it’s fun!

What are your favourite things about this little German pen? Send me photos of your own Lamy Safari!