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In my view, Lamy Safari is way overrated. Don't get me wrong, it's far from bad, a pretty consistent pen for the price. But the ink dries fast-ish if you don't
by Al-Khwarizmi 3y ago
In my view, Lamy Safari is way overrated. Don't get me wrong, it's far from bad, a pretty consistent pen for the price. But the ink dries fast-ish if you don't use it, and especially, the cartridges are proprietary so you're tied to the brand's cartridges and ink colors (there's a piston converter, but converters, meh).
A Pilot Metropolitan is approximately the same price and at least in my view, it's better as it uses standard international cartridges. A TWSBI Eco is more expensive, but not by that much, and it's an absolute reliability monster.
- nunuvit 3y agoCan you also use cartridges with the TWSBI Eco? A first pen should give you the option. I haven't tried the Pilots, but the standard cartridge could change my recommendation to them.
- rbonvall 3y agoNo, the TWSBI Eco can only be filled from a bottle. The TWSBI Swipe supports both cartridges and converters.
- nunuvit 3y agoThanks for confirming. You really need to try both to find what you like.
- Al-Khwarizmi 3y agoNo, the Eco can only be filled with a piston mechanism, and yes, you have a point. While I love piston fillers, it can be off-putting for a complete beginner, so maybe better as second pen than as first :) The Pilot Metropolitan is great as first pen, IMO.
- hammyhavoc 3y agoWho downvoted you? It's a valid perspective.
- throwanem 3y ago> [the Pilot Metropolitan] uses standard international cartridges I'm afraid not; Pilot cartridges are sui generis, and not compatible with either Lamy's own proprietary design or with "International Standard" cartridges. That said, there's nothing wrong with proprietary cartridges per se, given that fountain pen cartridges in general are a pretty niche good. I like Pilot cartridges for being refillable and resealable, especially since Pilot makes a lot of really nice inks that only come in bottles, but unless you're anxious to do a lot of refilling that doesn't really count for much.
- quantgenius 3y agoThe Pilot Metropolitans sold in Europe use standard international cartridges. The ones used in the US use proprietary Pilot cartridges.
- throwanem 3y agoNo kidding! I had no idea.
- Al-Khwarizmi 3y agoMe neither (that the American version used proprietary ones), otherwise I'd have specified.
- disqard 3y agoI will always lend my voice to a vote for the TWSBI Eco. I have used it after leaving it in a drawer for months, and it just starts up without issues.
- okprod 3y agoAgree on the Lamy Safari drying out very quickly; I use it about once a week, and it is always dried out at first use. I know Montblanc can be overpriced, but it's the only pen I have that writes immediately without skipping after a time, even if I haven't used it in a month. My daily drivers are a Lamy 2000 with a TWSBI Eco in different color ink for highlighting/commenting; I also carry a Pilot 823 on me as a backup to the Lamy 2000 but I have never been able to get used to the vacuum mechanism.
- Al-Khwarizmi 3y agoIn case you want to try something different, I have several Platinum Century #3776. They are much cheaper than the typical Mont Blanc and they can go unused even for several months without any issue. My favorite pen functionally speaking (not so much in terms of design, a bit too conservative for my taste).