I have a NEW favorite pen. I am new to the fountain pen world. So I began with Pilot metropolitan medium nib. I wanted a cheap second pen for notes with very poor paper, so I got the same Metropolitan fine point. Then I really liked pens so I thought I would get special pen for journaling. So after much research I got the Sailor Barcarolle. That is nice, but very solid and not for random carrying around. That is my journaling pen. Then I got my Lamy Al-Star (black, fine nib). It is the perfect weight, I like the triangular grip, the ink flow is perfect. I is every thing I wanted in a pen. I just thought I would let people know I really like this pen.
What an excellent extensive review! Thanks for taking the time to record this review and this particular pen :-) I now own one myself in aubergine (purple/dark red) and I absolutely love how it writes and the overall look and feel! Thanks again!
Dear Mister Parker, Tidying up my flat I found a broken silver Al-star fountain pen with black clip and nib. I bought it 20 years ago. The barrel is loose. I phoned Lamy to get it repaired. An opportunity to speak German. Keep on sharing you knowledge! Stefan Mavriki, Brussels, Belgium
Just bought my first fountain pen, Lamy Lx Marron. I´ve had the Rollerball version of the AL Star Bronze for a while now, gotta try a fountain pen too.... :) Thanks for the video!
I have this pen as well as a Safari. What I have noticed with both pens is when using a converter the little window that’s supposed to show when the ink level is low is useless. I find it’s only useful when using a cartridge. The only way I can tell when the ink level is low is if the pen stops writing or the writing all of a sudden gets lighter. I guess I can’t have everything.
Al-Star is good EDC pen. I use blue one or one of my Cross Bailey Lights. I like Medium nib the best with Lamy Black cartridges. Lamy nibs are pretty dry, so there is no significant problems even on bad paper, nibs are smooth and have a bit of spring in them, cartridges hold a lot of ink. Posting it is kinda clumsy and clip on mine is loose but that is it, for that kind of money you get really good pen. On design side I like Cross Bailey Light more but there is issue with Cross cartridges, difficult to get and small capacity, and nib is kinda weird, with lot of feedback and hard as nail. In office I use Cross as a backup pen to my Sailor 1911S but outside is Lamy Al-Star in my pocket.
Just got the AL Star in the blue. Lovely pen. I have a black safari which is nice, but the Al Star is definitely a step up from the Safari both in terms of its looks and its feel when writing. Worth the extra cost I think.
To make a Safari Eyedropper: But a.Safari fountain pen and a Safari rollerball. Swap front pieces. Then you can you can use your "new" fountain pen as an eyedropper.
I have a great deal of difficulty writing fast cursive with my Lamy Al Star. A real shame, but it just can’t replace a good ballpoint for Danish classic cursive… for most print-style lettering it’s perfectly fine, of course.
Nice review... Just ordered the black al star 71f..... Just trying to figure out which nib is best for me... I write kind of medium to large in size I'm thinking fine to medium would be ok
I'm not fond of anything about the Safari, or the AL-Star. The Safari is the most overpriced pen on the market. It uses Chinese level plastic and steel, but charges above normal European or American prices. So does the Al-Star. Like many, I also find both pens as butt ugly as you can get. My biggest problem, however, is how weak tyhe wings on the nib are. These pens will hold up great for casual users, or those who change pens ofetn, but if you use thiese pens long and hard, as you should be able to do with any pen, even as you can do with many Chinese pens, these wings will bend. You can bend them back two or three times, but that's it. These two pens are usually bought by beginners who simply don't know much about fountain pens. There are so many better pens that cost less, sometimes a LOT less, that buy these two makes no sense, unless you are a true beginner. Or have enough money to buy anything at any time. These simply are not very good pens. They seem great when you've never used a better pen, but in comparison of both quality and price, you could easily go through two dozen pens before hitting the level of these two. I think this is a shame because every other pen in the Lamy lineup is far, far better. And the Lamy 2000, of course, is an icon, and deserves all the praise aimed at it. Yes, it costs three times what the AL-Star does, but it's a hundred times better.
If you've bent the nib wings, you don't know how to use a fountain pen. Correct your writing pressure. Thousands of people have had their Safaris and Al-Stars for decades in writing condition. People have different opinions when it comes to design. If you don't like it, you don't. No need to be a snob about it.
I have a NEW favorite pen. I am new to the fountain pen world. So I began with Pilot metropolitan medium nib. I wanted a cheap second pen for notes with very poor paper, so I got the same Metropolitan fine point. Then I really liked pens so I thought I would get special pen for journaling. So after much research I got the Sailor Barcarolle. That is nice, but very solid and not for random carrying around. That is my journaling pen. Then I got my Lamy Al-Star (black, fine nib). It is the perfect weight, I like the triangular grip, the ink flow is perfect. I is every thing I wanted in a pen. I just thought I would let people know I really like this pen.
1964TP a
Awesome! I hope you enjoy your new toy. Thanks for watching.
I have enjoyed all your reviews. I have been watching for a while now.
For a total newbie your videos are very helpful! Thank you for talking about nib swapping. :)
What an excellent extensive review!
Thanks for taking the time to record this review and this particular pen :-)
I now own one myself in aubergine (purple/dark red) and I absolutely love how it writes and the overall look and feel!
Thanks again!
Dear Mister Parker,
Tidying up my flat I found a broken silver Al-star fountain pen with black clip and nib. I bought it 20 years ago. The barrel is loose. I phoned Lamy to get it repaired. An opportunity to speak German.
Keep on sharing you knowledge!
Stefan Mavriki, Brussels, Belgium
Thanks man, exactly what i was looking for!
Thank you for this great look at the Al Star. I am new to fountain pens too. I have a Pilot Metropolitan. Perhaps my next pen should be the Al Star.
+randykite It's a solid pen, especially for someone relatively new to fountain pens.
Just bought my first fountain pen, Lamy Lx Marron. I´ve had the Rollerball version of the AL Star Bronze for a while now, gotta try a fountain pen too.... :)
Thanks for the video!
I have this pen as well as a Safari. What I have noticed with both pens is when using a converter the little window that’s supposed to show when the ink level is low is useless. I find it’s only useful when using a cartridge. The only way I can tell when the ink level is low is if the pen stops writing or the writing all of a sudden gets lighter. I guess I can’t have everything.
I love seeing and posting on the very first video in cool sites, like this. Thanks sir David.
God bless, Proverbs 31
Al-Star is good EDC pen. I use blue one or one of my Cross Bailey Lights. I like Medium nib the best with Lamy Black cartridges. Lamy nibs are pretty dry, so there is no significant problems even on bad paper, nibs are smooth and have a bit of spring in them, cartridges hold a lot of ink. Posting it is kinda clumsy and clip on mine is loose but that is it, for that kind of money you get really good pen. On design side I like Cross Bailey Light more but there is issue with Cross cartridges, difficult to get and small capacity, and nib is kinda weird, with lot of feedback and hard as nail. In office I use Cross as a backup pen to my Sailor 1911S but outside is Lamy Al-Star in my pocket.
Just got the AL Star in the blue. Lovely pen. I have a black safari which is nice, but the Al Star is definitely a step up from the Safari both in terms of its looks and its feel when writing. Worth the extra cost I think.
I just shop a Lamy AL-star matte black. 😍 You have a swedish flag!! ☺️🇸🇪 Regards from Sweden. 🤘🏼😃
Ok you convinced me. Got the maroon lx and bronze AL star. They were fantastic outta the box
To make a Safari Eyedropper: But a.Safari fountain pen and a Safari rollerball. Swap front pieces. Then you can you can use your "new" fountain pen as an eyedropper.
I have a great deal of difficulty writing fast cursive with my Lamy Al Star. A real shame, but it just can’t replace a good ballpoint for Danish classic cursive… for most print-style lettering it’s perfectly fine, of course.
Good review. Thank you!
This was my very first video...hopefully I've improved a bit! :-)
You did really good videos since the very first one. Or maybe from. Excuae my english. Saludos desde España.
sorry if i missed it but did you say it is metal construction for the barrel?
Would you recommend this over the Faber-castell Loom or vice versa?
+Figboot on Pens thanks!
Nice review... Just ordered the black al star 71f..... Just trying to figure out which nib is best for me... I write kind of medium to large in size I'm thinking fine to medium would be ok
If you don't like the nib, it's inexpensive to purchase a new one in a different size and very easy to change out.
Ur vids are great
I'm not fond of anything about the Safari, or the AL-Star. The Safari is the most overpriced pen on the market. It uses Chinese level plastic and steel, but charges above normal European or American prices. So does the Al-Star.
Like many, I also find both pens as butt ugly as you can get.
My biggest problem, however, is how weak tyhe wings on the nib are. These pens will hold up great for casual users, or those who change pens ofetn, but if you use thiese pens long and hard, as you should be able to do with any pen, even as you can do with many Chinese pens, these wings will bend. You can bend them back two or three times, but that's it.
These two pens are usually bought by beginners who simply don't know much about fountain pens. There are so many better pens that cost less, sometimes a LOT less, that buy these two makes no sense, unless you are a true beginner. Or have enough money to buy anything at any time.
These simply are not very good pens. They seem great when you've never used a better pen, but in comparison of both quality and price, you could easily go through two dozen pens before hitting the level of these two.
I think this is a shame because every other pen in the Lamy lineup is far, far better. And the Lamy 2000, of course, is an icon, and deserves all the praise aimed at it. Yes, it costs three times what the AL-Star does, but it's a hundred times better.
If you've bent the nib wings, you don't know how to use a fountain pen. Correct your writing pressure. Thousands of people have had their Safaris and Al-Stars for decades in writing condition.
People have different opinions when it comes to design. If you don't like it, you don't. No need to be a snob about it.
These pens are terrible.
how so? I have a Safari F, and it's fine, except its super broad and wet
Maybe ur used to 1000 USD mont blancs?
If this is an example of your handwriting a word of advice. Don't waste your money on fountain pens...stick to cheap ballpoints.
Harriet Havard people use fountain pens regardless of handwriting, it’s for the pleasure and enjoyment of the hobby
Harriet havard, you are an idiot.
Ur so rude Harriet! What did life do to you???