Pen Review: Lamy Safari "Candy" Special Editions

Lamy remains one of my favorite all-around stationery brands, particularly for those of us who both use our pens on a daily basis, and appreciate the ability to dabble in the special and limited edition fun from time to time. While Lamy's implementation of its limited edition strategy has been hit and miss over the years, they regularly release some exceptional pens, and the 2020 Safari special editions are no exception.

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I love Safari’s with coated clips, especially those that match the pen barrel.

For the second year in a row, Lamy chose to release not one, but three, special edition Safaris. Building on last year's "Pastels,” the company chose "Candy" as this year's theme, and released three pens in shades of purple ("Violet"), turquoise ("Aquamarine"), and yellow ("Mango"). Mango is my favorite, probably because the yellow-orange hue is completely different from anything Lamy has released in the past. While I love the standard yellow Safari, the matte texture and matching clip lend the Mango a warmth the yellow fountain pen lacks.

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The three “Candy” Safaris on the left; the three 2019 “Pastel” editions on the right.

What will be curious to see going forward is whether Lamy continues the three-pen releases. Amid growing economic uncertainty for much of the world, will we see companies scale back the number of special and limited editions pens, and maybe even discontinue certain slower-selling items from their standard lines? Lamy tends to make fairly large runs of Safaris, and it's not unusual to see last year's special edition pens on sale a year (or more) later. For example, the 2019 "Pastel" special editions continue to be available for purchase. In the case of Lamy, however, I wouldn't be surprised if things stayed status quo (or if sales even increased) since the company's lower price point pens might actually see an uptick in demand as pen enthusiasts look for less costly ways to indulge in their hobby.

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This time around I purchased the matching ballpoints for two of the pens:

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The standard Lamy Safari in yellow, on the left, and in Mango (with matching ballpoint) on the right.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

This is a great Lamy Safari release. As a proud member of #teamsafari (as opposed to #teamalstar), I immediately sprung for all three pens to add to my collection of recent special editions. In my opinion, the Mango pen in particular has the potential to be one of the better Safari's Lamy has made.

A combination of high demand and Covid-19 related shipping issues delayed the initial launch of the Candy Safaris, but most Lamy retailers now have them available for purchase. I purchased the pens featured in this review from site sponsor Pen Chalet, which currently has all three fountain pens available, in addition to the rollerball and ballpoint versions. The fountain pen is priced at just under $30, the rollerball $20, and the ballpoint $16. I'm something of a latecomer to the Safari ballpoint, and plan on reviewing that pen separately soon. If you’re interested in picking up one of the Pastel fountain pens, Pen Chalet is currently offering a free converter with purchase.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I am a participant in the Pen Chalet affiliate program, which allows me to earn store credit that I can use to acquire items for review on the blog, like the pens featured here.

Workhorse Pens: The Lamy Studio LX All Black

If there’s a single series of articles that epitomize what I’m about here at The Gentleman Stationer, it’s the “Workhorse Pens” series, which focuses on those pens most suitable for everyday writing. I always end up talking about the Lamy 2000 in this context, but what about Lamy’s other popular “higher end” pen, the Studio? I consider the Studio to be one of Lamy’s best designed writing instruments, despite it receiving far less attention than the 2000 or the Safari.

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The design of the Lamy Studio is streamlined and minimal, with just enough unique touches like the “propeller” clip to keep the pen interesting.

The Lamy Studio tends to fly under everyone’s radar, even my own. I often forget how great these understated pens are, and when I break them out after a long rest I end up pleasantly surprised. Recently, Lamy has shown more love to the Studio line, releasing 1-2 special editions per year. The Racing Green Studio was a favorite, and I just acquired this year’s Lamy Studio LX “All Black” release. The latter may solve a key concern that many have with the Studio - the metal section that can be slippery. The “Studio LX All Black” features a coated black section with a grippy texture, nudging this pen into potential “workhorse” territory for a wider audience. The coating also feels more durable than that found on earlier editions of the Studio, which tended to chip and flake off with heavy use, especially under the clip where it rubs against the cap.

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The grip section on the Lamy Studio LX All Black is coated, which will reduce slippage for those concerned about the standard Studio metal section. To complete the “All Black” look on my Lamy Studio LX, I separately purchased a black 14k nib intended for the Lamy Imporium.

So what do I personally enjoy about the Lamy Studio? First of all, it’s an incredibly well-balanced pen, even posted, despite having full metal (aluminum) construction. Second, the streamlined design and “propeller” clip have the potential to become as iconic as that on the Lamy 2000, though the Studio hasn’t been around as long. Third, I continue to swear by the 14k Studio nibs as one of the best values out there. Typically, Lamy only sells one or two versions of the Studio with the 14k nib included - in year’s past it has been the “Palladium” and “Piano Black” pens (the latter of which is shown here in this review). Otherwise, you’ll have to order a gold nib separately, which will run anywhere from $90-110, depending on the retailer. I used to think this was a steep markup, but now I think it’s worth it - Lamy’s 14k nibs have a touch of bounce, and on some of them I’ve even noticed some slight line variation reminiscent of an architect’s nib. Plus, any time you can have a gold nib pen for less than $200 in today’s market, you’re doing well.

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A pair of propeller clips!

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The Lamy Studio LX All Black posted. Though I love this pen, I’m now even less sure what “LX” is supposed to denote. So Lamy is releasing a separate model of pen called the “Lamy LX,” but now LX is also being used as a modifier for special editions?

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Takeaways and Where to Buy

I have a hard time coming up with a reason why every Lamy fan should not have at least one Studio in their collection. In addition to being an exceptional daily writer, the pen is widely available and relatively inexpensive: The standard Lamy Studio with a stainless steel nib is priced at around $80 at most retailers, with the 14k pens priced around $180. With a 10% off coupon code - easy to come by at most retailers - that gets the price to just above $160 for a gold-nib fountain pen, which represents real value.

The pens featured in this review were purchased from Pen Chalet in the U.S. and Appelboom in the Netherlands. Both retailers carry the full Lamy Studio lineup, though if you want to opt for a 14k nib, you’ll either have to purchase the “Piano Black” model or pick up a spare 14k nib from Appelboom. (If you want to build the ultimate Lamy Studio LX “All Black” model, opt for the black PVD coated 14k nib, which I believe is intended for the Lamy Imporium but fits the Studio just fine.)

Disclaimer: I purchased the two pens pictured in this review using store credit provided by Pen Chalet and Appelboom.

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Two Lamy Studios (LX All Black and Piano Black) compared against the Lamy 2000 (in 100th Anniversary Bauhaus Blue). The Studio is a slightly slimmer pen than the 2000, but just as well balanced and comfortable to use.

Pen Review: Lamy LX Marron Special Edition

I’ve written much this year about Lamy’s newfound fondness for special and limited editions. In addition to the blue Macrolon Lamy 2000 they released to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Bauhaus, Lamy has also issued three different Safaris in various pastel colors, two different Studios, an AL-Star in “Bronze,” and now a Lamy LX in “Marron.”

I’ll give Lamy this: their clip game is killing it. I couldn’t choose between the burnished clip on the LX Marron and the red clip on the “Independence Day” Safari, so I picked up both.

I reviewed the standard version of the Lamy LX last summer, and my overall reaction was “meh.” Though far from a bad pen, I questioned whether Lamy did enough to justify the markup over a standard AL-Star by adding new “iPhone colors” and a fancier nib. I’m still leaning towards “no” on the regular versions of the LX, but this new “Marron” (French for chestnut) model might be a different story.

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I don’t typically go for brown pens, but I have to hand it to Lamy here: the combination of brown anodizing and the burnished copper/bronze clip look better than any special edition AL-Star in recent memory. I think I’ve said it before, but it would serve Lamy well to rein in the volume of special edition releases - especially the more generic ones - in favor of cranking out real beauties like this pen.

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Takeaways and Where to Buy

Unless you don’t already have another Lamy AL-Star or Lamy LX, the Marron special edition is basically a vanity purchase for the new color scheme. Those who aren’t really drawn to this particular color will - and should - question whether it’s worth it to pay the markup for the LX instead of the perfectly functional AL-Star. Personally, I think the dark chestnut brown looks excellent, and the combination of this particular anodization with the metallic bronze clip makes me wonder if Lamy should have gone all-in on the Marron instead of this year’s somewhat uninspiring special edition AL-Star release in “Bronze”.

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Apart from the special colors, the only real difference in terms of hardware between the Lamy AL-Star and the Lamy LX is the nib.

You can purchase the Lamy LX Marron special edition fountain pen from our sponsor Pen Chalet, currently priced at $56. Pen Chalet also carries the full line of standard Lamy AL-Stars, and if the Bronze special edition interests you, it’s currently on sale at a reduced price.

For those of you located outside the U.S., our sponsor Appelboom also carries the Lamy LX fountain pen, in both the standard colors as well as the Marron Special Edition.

Disclaimer: This post contains links to paid sponsors and affiliates. I purchased the Lamy LX featured in this review using affiliate credit generated through Pen Chalet’s affiliate program. Many thanks to Pen Chalet for making this review possible.

Flooding the Market? A Recap of Lamy's 2019 Special and Limited Releases

I don’t think I realized until this week just how many special and limited edition pens Lamy released in 2019 (and the year is not even over yet). While the annual release of the special edition Safaris and AL-Star pens is a much-anticipated tradition for many, this year saw Lamy issue two more Studios, a special edition “LX”, a Scala, and the heavily hyped blue Lamy 2000 limited edition celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Bauhaus. While some portions of today’s post will strike readers as a bit of a rant, please know that I love Lamy. It’s one of my favorite brands, and makes one of my favorite pens of all time, the Lamy 2000. Also, it’s not that I don’t love the fact that Lamy is taking the time to develop all of these different pens and bring them to market, I just don’t understand the strategy behind doing it all at once, in what seems like a sudden flood of releases, with some of them receiving next to no promotion or build-up. With that said, let’s take a look at this year’s pens in more detail.

Lamy Studio Aquamarine and LX All Black Special Editions

I’d call the Lamy Studio one of the “unsung heroes” of the fountain pen world. It’s a well-made, reasonably priced mid-range fountain pen (or rollerball) that not only costs well under $100, but you can easily switch the nib (or even upgrade the nib from steel to gold) because it uses the same interchangeable nib format as the Safari and the AL-Star. Lamy has previously released special edition Studios - I’ve reviewed the Ruby Red and the Racing Green - but the emergig trend has been to release not one but two special editions. The 2018 pens included Terra Cotta and Olive, while this year’s releases are Aquamarine and the “LX All Black.” While I’m certainly glad to see Lamy pay more attention to the Studio, I’m not sure that I understand the strategy behind making two special editions in colors that don’t seem to relate to one another. And what about Lamy’s decision to port the “LX” moniker to the Studio? What does “LX” even mean now?

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If you like dark green pens, the Lamy Studio has you covered. Shown here are the Olive Green (left) and Racing Green (right). Not pictured is my LX All Black, which is en route from the Netherlands as we speak.

Both of the current special edition Studios are still available at retail. Our U.S.-based sponsor Pen Chalet has all of the 2018 AND 2019 Studios in stock, and if you are based outside of the U.S., shipping may be more economical to purchase from our Netherlands-based sponsor Appelboom. (Where possible, throughout this post, I will highlight more than one purchasing option, since many of these pens are not expensive enough to trigger free international shipping.)

Lamy LX “Marron” Special Edition

Lamy created some confusion a couple of years ago when they released the “LX,” which was essentially an AL-Star in “iPhone colors” with a nicer looking nib. (Read my review here.) The LX received a bit of attention, then quickly fell off the radar because not much was done to distinguish the pen in any way from the less expensive AL-Star. You can say I was surprised to see the LX “Marron” Special Edition appear at retailers over the past month. The pen is a nice chestnut-brown, with a bronze-colored clip to match, and it’s a gorgeous pen. (Confession: I bought one immediately.) What confused me was the decision to release a special edition LX, especially since I like this pen much more than this year’s “Bronze” AL-Star. Given the “bronze” clip on this pen, they should’ve passed on the LX special edition and just gone with the Marron.

You can purchase the Lamy LX Marron special edition from both Pen Chalet and Appelboom.

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That clip kills me. More of this, Lamy!

Lamy Safari “Independence Day” U.S. Edition

I waited for a bit, but finally caved and ordered the “Independence Day” Safari for the white cap + red clip combination alone. A U.S. exclusive, Lamy released this pen just before the 4th of July, and despite being a bit puzzled by Lamy’s overall decision to release so many special editions this year, I can get behind the occasional regional special edition. Even the packaging has been upgraded for this pen, signaling that Lamy put a lot of thought into this one. You can purchase this pen from any U.S. Lamy retailer, including Pen Chalet (where the pen is currently on sale).

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The clip game is strong for these two releases.

Lamy Pastel Safaris and Bronze AL-Star

Much has been written about Lamy’s decision to release three special edition Safaris, but viewed in the overall context of just how many special editions Lamy released in 2019, the decision seems even more puzzling to me. Look, the Pastel Safaris (offered in Light Blue, Mint, and Rose) are quite attractive, present a welcome departure from what was seeming like an endless flood of neon and “dark” themed pens, and they have sold well, but the decision to offer three of them has me thinking that someone over at Lamy can’t make hard decisions. The Bronze AL-Star looks fine but is just boring, and let’s be honest - the “matching” ink is orange, not “bronze.” As I noted above, I would have rather seen them release the excellent LX Marron as this year’s AL-Star release.

You can still purchase the Pastel Safaris, and likely will be able to do so for some time. Pen Chalet and Appelboom both have them in stock. Likewise, both Pen Chalet and Appelboom still carry the Bronze AL-Star.

Lamy Scala

Most of you will probably join me in asking: “What the heck is the Lamy Scala?” I saw this pen offered for sale a few years ago through EU-based retailers, but assumed it had been discontinued. It’s a metal pen that sort of looks like a chunkier, non-streamlined Studio. Apparently it comes in range of finishes, ranging from matte black to brushed steel to “piano black” to “titanium,” but the Scala is not widely sold in the U.S., with most retailers carrying only the “Dark Violet” and “Rose” special editions. These aren’t necessarily unattractive pens, but like most mid to high-end Lamy pens, the Scala is priced nearly twice as high in the U.S. as overseas. I’m not at all sure I see any value here, especially compared to the Studio. You can purchase a Studio with a gold nib for just slightly more than a steel nib Scala. This makes no sense, and Lamy either needs to fix the pricing discrepancy or discontinue this line.

Pen Chalet carries the Lamy Scala special editions, and Appelboom carries the entire line.

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I will say that Lamy absolutely killed it on the presentation. The packaging, in addition to looking classy, also appears to be recyclable like their other boxes.

Lamy 2000 Bauhaus 100th Anniversary

And, finally, the commentary most people are probably waiting for: my thoughts on the Bauhaus 100th Anniversary edition Lamy 2000. I did get one of the pens, and I love it. I was, however, extremely frustrated and even a bit angry at how hard it was to track one down. While I probably could have “pulled some strings” and asked a sponsor to set one aside for me, I didn’t do that, mainly because I wanted to write this article from the perspective of someone who loves the Lamy 2000, wanted to participate in this particular anniversary release, and was attempting to find one of the pens at retail without having to pay what I expect will be extortionate prices on the secondary market. It was a difficult, frustrating experience that was completely unnecessary.

The Lamy 2000 is Lamy’s flagship pen. It’s marketed as an example of simple, form-follows-function Bauhaus-inspired design. The Lamy 2000 is also reasonably priced - a piston-filling pen with a gold nib that you can often find for well under $200. The pen is widely loved, and I’m not the only one who has a soft spot for the 2000 because it was the first “nice” pen they ever purchased. So I will say this: It makes absolutely zero sense for Lamy (or their distributor) to price this pen at $500 in the U.S. market, with a release so limited that I’ve heard only 80 - yes, less than 100 - pens made it to the United States. Retailers are holding raffles for the “opportunity” to purchase this pen. In light of Lamy’s decision to flood the market with special editions in the Studio, LX, and Scala lines, it’s absurd that the Lamy 2000 received such a limited release. Sure, I understand the business strategy of selling a smaller number of higher-priced luxury items, but I’d venture that Lamy could have sold thousands of these pens at $300, or even $350. Hype and artificial scarcity during an initial release can drive demand, but with Lamy, if there are not going to be any more of these pens made, what are customers going to come back to buy? Another standard black Lamy 2000? I’m no design historian, but to me, their strategy also seems inconsistent with Bauhaus principles - make well-designed, functional objects made to be used, not sit on a shelf as overpriced collectors’ items.

At the end of the day, I still bought a blue Lamy 2000 at the more reasonable European pricing, and fully intend to ink this pen up and use it just like the old standby that I used to draft this post. I will write in the notebook and throw the box away. The Lamy 2000 remains my favorite pen ever, and I couldn’t bring myself to pass up the opportunity to get the blue one if I found a pen available. Fortunately, Sakura Fountain Pen Gallery in Belgium came through, but I don’t know whether anyone else still has the pens in stock. You’ll have to look hard.

Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Taken individually, I can say that I like most of the pens Lamy has released in 2019. Taken collectively, they don’t offer much insight into where Lamy is going as a brand or the company’s overall strategy due to the marked lack of consistency or any common theme. The decision to flood the market with inexpensive special editions in the Safari, AL-Star, and Studio models, and to release special edition Scalas while severely restricting their Bauhaus 100th Anniversary Lamy 2000, is incomprehensible to me and already has alienated Lamy’s customer base.

As I alluded to above, it’s great to see bursts of creativity from what, traditionally, has been a somewhat staid German company, but someone needs to start making difficult decisions on their lower-end and mid-range releases, while at the same time catering to and engaging more with the enthusiasts who are basically lining up to give Lamy money for higher-end goods. If customers can’t actually get these pens, they will spend that money elsewhere, and eventually give up and stop coming back.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I purchased the Lamy 2000 “blue Bauhaus” with my own funds, for my own collection, but acquired the other pens pictured here from Pen Chalet and Appelboom using store credit generated through their affiliate programs.