I like Lamy Safaris, and I have a fair number of them. Can I talk about them for an entire week?
Today I want to talk about the design of the Safari. Even defend it. You cannot read about fountain pens on the internet without knowing that some people just hate the looks of the Lamy Safari. You often hear it stated baldly: “It’s ugly.”
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Pelikan M700 Toledo with extra-fine nib. This is the smaller of Pelikan’s two modern Toledos. It is based on the M400 body. The sleeve is sterling silver, with the decorative parts engraved by hand. It is then treated to darken the base and cover with gold the part of the design that stand in relief.
I bought the pen used and added the extra-fine nib later. Richard Binder ground the nib himself from a stock medium nib when he realized that he had run out of extra-fines. I know I got the better end of that deal; this is one great nib.
The ink is Pelikan Brilliant Black. It’s not a dark black, but a more gray black, and it’s a dry ink, so it keeps the line nicely narrow.
Pelikan M600 Ruby Red with fine nib. The M600 is the perfect size for me, and red is a favorite color, so this special edition Pelikan from a few years ago sees frequent use. The cap is the most translucently beautiful part of the pen.
The ink is Pelikan Edelstein Turmaline, ink of the year for 2012, a very cheery pink. It will be the perfect match for Pelikan’s forthcoming pink-striped M600. Pink-o-phobes, I apologize.
Parker 51 Plum with fine nib. This particular Parker 51 is the color Plum, which was produced only for about a year or so. No, you can’t tell by looking at the photograph, which is how I chanced upon mine. The color is so dark it tends to look black, brown or burgundy in photographs. It was entirely by accident, then, that I bought this on eBay. Even in real life, however, the Plum color isn’t particularly noticeable. However, I’ve always liked writing with the 51’s straight-forward, business-like fine nib, no matter the pen’s color.
I’m using Pelikan Edelstein Amethyst, Pelikan’s 2015 ink of the year. It’s a red-leaning purple with a soft, friendly look and beautiful shading. It seems to clean up easily for a purple ink. I’m smitten. Because it’s a limited edition ink, it won’t be around forever, and I’m sorely tempted to buy a bottle.
How do you know how much ink a pen holds? The easiest quick-and-dirty way for me is to fill the pen completely with water, then empty the water into an empty ink vial.
This is how much ink an Aurora Optima holds.
The Aurora Optima is one of my very favorite pens, which probably is obvious from the photo above. I don’t really consider my Optimas a collection, because for me it’s really a workhorse pen, so it made sense to get a few of them. Of course I exceeded “a few” some time ago. But since I probably use at least one Optima daily, I’d like to review the pen and consider what makes it stand out for me.
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Omas Extra Lucens Limited Edition with extra-fine 18k nib. This gorgeous pen is black, gold and transparent celluloid. Writing with an Omas is special, and a bit different. The pen rests lightly in the hand, and the nib asks for only the most delicate touch, so you find yourself skimming over the paper as effortlessly as possible.
The ink is Stipula Calamo Ebony Black, which is a lighter, slightly gray black ink with a hint of shading. When I write with it, I think of the shades of Sumi-e, Japanese black ink painting.
A friend asked me if I knew anything about Aurora fountain pens. Only that I love them.
I will have to write up and post something about the Optima, since it’s one of my favorite fountain pens and I’ve been lucky enough to put together this small collection. I have at least one of these filled and in use daily. Today it’s the blue with chrome trim.
Pelikan M400 White Tortoise with medium nib. My newest pen. I adore it. I was a little worried it would turn out to be too flashy for my tastes, but the small size of the pen means it never overwhelms. The color of the binde is lighter than most tortoise Pelikans; I’d call it honey or flaxen.
Right now it’s inked with Diamine Salamander, which I had never used before. Salamander is yet another nice Diamine ink, this one a dark olive green, almost the color of camouflage. It shades beautifully and flows well. I think I’ll go back to it in the fall or winter, and try it with an extra-fine or fine nib.
Fountain Pen Follies 