LAMY Safari Fountain Pen 024 F - Petrol Blue, Feder F, special edition petrol, 1

I already own several of these pens in the original charcoal shade, so the quality and comfort and joy experienced from using this new one, wasn't exactly a surprise. I tell everyone who is considering trying to get into writing with fountain pens, to start off with a Lamy Safari. And the charcoal one especially. People new to FP don't want to splash out too much, in case it's something they really cannot get to grips with and decide it just not for them. But they also shouldn't try using the cheapest model they can get off of Ebay either, as the very cheapest models might be made with materials/dimensions that are uncomfortable and unsuitable for writing, resulting in the user being put off FP's as a whole, when they haven't been exposed to the better examples of this kind of instrument.The Lamy Safari can be found online for roughly between £12-£20, depending on the seller/P&P/whether a converter is included etc. (Unless of course we're talking about one of the limited edition colours that are released in smaller numbers, initially at the regular price, only to then become more valuable once they are no longer available from the distributor on demand and collectors buy/sell at prices they choose to negotiate themselves. This Petrol Blue colour will soon become more expensive as people who bought it when it first went on sale, sell it on at a marked up price to those who wish to pay the higher price.)The texture of this Petrol one is the same as the Lilac one released previously, as well as the charcoal one which is a standard permanent member of the Safari range. I find it preferable to the texture of the smoother, glossier Safari's as it feels (to me anyway) less slippery when you're using it for an extended period of time. As for the pen itself, it's a feat of German engineering at its finest. Everything about this pen has been designed to be as ergonomic and user friendly as possible. It is lightweight, making it suitable for everyone of all ages. You can choose whether or not to use the cartridges that Lamy make (in a decent range of colours themselves) or a converter in order to use whatever fountain pen you fancy. The nib is easily removed (simply slide it off in a horizontal direction) and you can swap it for another size (nibs are available in XF, F, M, B and Italic/Stub nib as far as I know).The feed also slides out easily, which makes cleaning the whole pen a quick and simple affair. This is hugely helpful if you like to switch up your inks and don't want remnants of something black or blue, running into your new red or pink colour. The grip of the pen is also contoured to help get you to hold the pen in the most advantageous position (for some people this can take a few attempts to get used to, but once you do, you'll feel benefits of less tension when writing for a longer period of time). And then there's the famous Lamy pen clip (well famous among those of us who dig all things FP anyway!) This thing was built to withstand the apocalypse! Seriously! If you affix this pen to a pocket somewhere and you want it to stay upright, this clip is going to hold it there for you. It doesn't lose tension over time (well, none of mine have in the last 10 years I've been using them anyway) and it's so thick, it can hold onto a big thick pile of papers.And when it comes to writing with this thing, most people agree that the nibs are on the sturdier side. There is no flex to these nibs. Which is great as far as I'm concerned because I'm not a fan of flex nibs myself, but it's something you should bear in mind if that's more your bag. The ink will flow beautifully and because of the quality of manufacturing you should have no problems with your nib. They are steel and therefore do not wear down as quickly as softer metals. I love writing with these pens. They're lightweight, reliable, comfortable to use, always start up writing immediately after days (or weeks) of inaction, are easy to maintain/clean, look smart and cost very little in the grand scheme of things.This particular iteration of the range, the Petrol Blue colour, plays in nicely with my current obsession with teal/turquoise - although the shade is darker IRL than it appears online. It's a much subtler variation on the original charcoal version and would therefore be suitable for work or anywhere where gaudy colours might seem unsuitable. I have mine paired with some Noodlers Blue Nose Bear in a converter, with a Fine nib. The ink might be a badly behaved little oik, but the pen copes admirably and definitely lessens the unpredictability of a famously awkward ink.Give the Lamy Safari a go if you're looking to try out Fountain Pens for the first time - or for the first time since some awful negative memories you have of using some hideous and inferior, totally unsuitable, archaic excuse for a fountain pen, back when you were at school. If you've got a badly behaved ink, you'll be giving it the best chance of behaving in a Lamy Safari. If you're left handed, pair it with something that dries quickly like Noodlers Bulletproof inks and it's just as suitable for you sinister types. The limited edition shades may come and go, but the original charcoal shade will always be around, as long as Lamy are manufacturing this model, so give it a go and who knows; you might just end up as obsessed with fountain pens as I am.

I had some reservations over the price to begin with, but bought this on recommendation from a friend, and after a month of use I'm more than happy with it. The quality is great, and the plastic used for the body of the pen is durable as well as pleasant to touch. The grip itself is molded to help you hold the pen correctly, which makes it suitable for people new to writing with fountain pens as well as those with more experience. It's comfortable to use, and the ink cartridge was simple to insert. There's also a small viewing port so you can keep an eye on the ink level and make sure you have a refill handy when you're getting low. The ink flows easily during writing, and the nib gives you a nice sized line, not excessively thick but not spidery either. The petrol colour is also just what I expected (looks darker in my photos than it is -blame the lighting).All in all it may not look as sophisticated as other pens, but it is worth the money and is an excellent option for someone looking for one they can use every day.

I like the colour. Petrol is my favourite. I prefer a medium nib, as I find the Fine nib a bit scratchy.

Another stunner from Lamy. Sometimes at first use can seem scratchy but once you have used it for a while that goes away. I simply love writing with these pens and they are so much better then the fountain pens I used to use in school at the same price. Yes they are made of plastic but the shape of them makes them more comfortable to grip and work with and metal always tends to make my hands slip. I can’t complain.They are hardy too.

It doesn't flow as well as I expected it to. Also, it didn't arrive with a converter which was very inconvenient. Most fountain pens arrive with one. Both the expensive and the cheap ones. I will not buy a Lamy again as I have some cheap fountain pens that write better. I was disappointed because it got rave reviews from many people.

Beautiful, nice colour. Also bought a red one but with a medium nib. The medium nib writes a lot smoother!

As a self confessed pen snob these are the only pens I will now write with. Lovely size, style and the flow of ink is great. Love the variable nib thicknesses available to. For a reasonably priced fountain pen the quality does not disappoint.

The pen seems absolutely fine and I like how it writes and love the colour but it didn't turn up in the traditional lamy holey box, had no instructions and the box was pretty beaten up pen was undamaged and I have no issues but have read about fake pens!