Lamy L17F Safari Fountain Pen - Charcoal - Fine

Product Information

Lamy Safari Special Colours - cross and dot cap ends in different colours Some colours become regular editions So is a Safari right for you? If you are considering one, here are the main questions to ask yourself: Since 2004, each year Lamy has produced at least one special colour for its popular Safari model, and this is now a special annual event. In this article we list the special Safari colours and highlight some differences between these and regular production models. These special Safari colours are usually announced at Paperworld in Frankfurt in January and launched in April of each year and are only available for retailers to buy for a couple of months before production quantities are exhausted. What's so special about the Lamy Safari?

Do you mind having a "funky looking" pen? With it's grip section and oversized cap and clip, the Safari is "unique" looking, to say the least. You will get questions about this pen, and people will want to use it. The two original Lamy Safaris launched in 1980 were both textured finishes. Some suggest that the textured plastic stands up to wear and abuse better than the gloss finishes.Lamy's Safari line is a go-torecommendation for a "first fountain pen." Many people, like me, come to Safarislater, after they have been using (much more expensive) fountain pens for a while, only to realize that the Safari is a flat-out good pen, irrespective of its price range. If you don't have one in your rotation, you should reconsider, provided the design works for you. The special editions aren't quite like the fancy numbered limited editions many high-end pens are available with, but they are only available for a limited time, and can become quite sought-after later on. Some of the rare early editions can sell for hundreds of pounds to really keen collectors, but don't expect the same to happen with current editions! It's quite possible they'll be worth a bit more than you paid in a few years if it was kept pristine, but then you'd have missed out on years of use of a really nice pen.

While the range is mainly known for the fountain pens, there are nice quality rollerballs, ballpoints and mechanical pencils, too, with the same brightly-coloured, tough bodies. The nibs can be easily switched out to fit any occasion. From tiny notes to bold calligraphy, a Safari can do it all. Read our guide to learn how you can swap nibs on LAMY Safari fountain pens easily. Are you worried you will be tempted to buy more than one? Here's what I find to be the main issue--because Safaris (and AL-Stars as well)are not very expensive, the siren song of the "limited edition" becomes very hard to resist. This year's limited edition AL-Star in Copper Orange is already on its way to me. Most Safari Special Edition colours have had shiny gloss finishes, like the regular edition red, blue and yellow Safaris. There was a light grey version of the Safari that was produced prior to the 2004 blue/red Safari that had a matt "grain" finish like the Umbra - or Charcoal - Safari (model 17). However, until the Dark Lilac Lamy Safari of 2016 all Safari models have had a smooth gloss finish.

Premium nib

Lamy Safari barrels - Neon Yellow with gloss finish and Dark Lilac and Petrol with grain textured finish