After years of not being a fan of the Safari styling, I'm now also in team Safari, but only team-matte-finish Safari. I think there is variation in all manufacturers' nibs so I usually end up tuning the nibs on most of my pens, but I think I got lucky with the steel nibs on my two Safaris. Both are a pleasure to use, without the need for any additional pressure. Both pens write reliably under their own weight, and exerting extra pressure doesn't really affect the writing. I recently tried the Lamy gold nib for the first time. It did feel great; smoother but still controllable, but I still don't see myself getting a Lamy gold nib because I enjoy the steel ones so much.
I’m one who enjoys LAMY steel nibs, but I do tend to write hard, I think, and I only print. I rarely use cursive. Mostly I write letters, around 75 to 100 letters per month (I wrote 106 in December), which means I write nearly every day. I have a fairly large fountain pen collection with over 300 pens, of which about 50 are LAMY pens. I have several Safari, and all of the AL-STAR pens. (I do prefer the matte finish.) I have several pens with their 14K gold nibs. I have a few of every pen they make, except the Emporium-only one of those. I’m not bragging, just saying I have a lot of experience with LAMY pens too. My least favorite, as you might imagine, is their Fine nib. I do have a few, and I use them, just not my favorite. My favorite LAMY nib is their 1.1 stub. I have a lot of stub pens, and the LAMY 1.1 is by far the best I have tried. Ironically, their Cursive nib is another favorite. It’s probably safe to say that I use a LAMY pen everyday, or nearly so. I agree with your assessment on the Safari vs AL-STAR. I really feel no difference when using either of them. I almost always recommend the Safari to a new fountain pen user because they always write, and they write well, and changing the nib is easier than any pen I have found. Thanks for the comparison. I’ve subscribed. 😊
Team Al Star here! Safari just looks and feels.... cheapy. I love my Lamy AL Star in a deep blue. This is my go-to, edc pen. I have nicer pens, but this pen lives on my work desk
AL-star, every time. I love when a pen is cool, I love when thing I own and use get a bit of character like some faint scratches. (I own more than 20 of each).
The biggest reason I prefer the Safari over the Al-Star is actually that the ABS plastic on the (matte) Safari feels better on the grip section especially than the smooth smoky grip section of the Al-Star. All of my Safaris are matte though so I am unsure how the smoother variants compare. I also prefer the logo etching on the Safari over the Al-Star, and the Matte over the shiny colors.
I have an AL-Star and a Vista. I never thought about the differences in sound and in feel in the hand, but you are quite right. These are two of my favorite pens, anyway, but now I have something new to think about. I’m probably Team Vista! 😊
love your channel . i also started with the safari and have given a couple away to friends who are not (yet) fountain pen folk. my turquoise safari is my edc and i love that i dont need to be so concerned with beating it up or misplacing it. i'm curious about the gold nib upgrade, and agree that with some pressure the default steel lamy nib performs much better. about to check out your video on the topic. thanks for the video and happy holidays from pdx :)
This video answers a question I had since I bought my first safari(F nib) about week ago. It writes so thin and dry almost skips when I use my normal pressure and speed to write. Even compared to kakuno and cheaper jinhaos. I wasnt sure wether it's normal and I just need to adapt or there's something wrong since it's my first safari (and lamy in general) It's already better now since I've tried and swapped the nib back and forth with a chinese fake(ironically,it writes as good or even better than the real one). Maybe there really was a bit of problem with the inkflow or I just "accept" that it needs more pressure. And then out of curiosity I planned to buy another safari or al star because there's a discount and when I searched for videos about the difference between those two I found this video. Now I don't need to and won't buy another safari/alstar in the meantime.🤣
Love the steel nib. It lays down a good amount of ink, and I like the feedback. I have more expensive pens that feel more refined, but the Lamy is just that workhorse pen for me. I use a medium nib Lamy to grade papers (and these are high school kids, so it’s going to be inexpensive loose leaf or copier paper), and the nib never skips or fails to grip or hard starts. The ergonomics and light weight of the plastic body has me comfortably writing for hours at a time. Plus I don’t have to baby it. I do take care most times, but if it falls or gets thrown in my tote, I’m not panicking that it’s going to get dented or damaged.
Aloha! Nice look at two pens that I own a few of, plus one Vista. I agree that when I first got my Safari and Vista, I was not very happy with the nib. Very scratchy and for sure a nail, but I bought a few more to give the nibs a chance. A little better, but still scratchy. So fast forward a few years, as I learn about tuning a nib, even with crude nib smoothing, the nibs write much better. Only one of the nibs, an EF, I had to open up the tines as it was barely putting down any ink. While they both cap just fine, I think the AL-Star feels like it's on more securely. My only wish is the grip section was a bit girthier and the suggested tri-pod type grip works to my advantage when using any of the stub nibs as it helps in aligning the nib. Now, I really want to try a Lamy 14K nib .... Mahalo, Thomas
@@seattlepenclub I should note that only that one particular EF nib had tight nib tines. Since I paid only a few bucks more for the AL-Star than just the nib would of cost itself, I thought it was worth the risk to work on the tines instead of a return or exchange. But as far as nib smoothing, I think I have had to tune just about all the nibs - now they all "sing!" (That is why I said my crude nib smoothing in my previous comment!)
This is a great subject for a video. I enjoyed it as I do all of your videos.
What follows does not challenge your personal choices. They are merely my views. Regarding the nibs. They are so variable both in their writing width and as to how well tuned they are. My standard procedure with a Lamy steel nib as to increase the wetness by using feeler gauges slid in between the tines, if necessary. This is better than opening the nib with bending because of the way the nib mounts on the feed. To get a good nib smoothness I give them a quick polish on micromesh. Just a few seconds. When these processes are done the steel nib writes every bit as nicely, for smoothness and ink flow, as the gold nib. After all it is the tipping doing the writing and not the steel or gold, both of which are stiff with these nibs. The Al-Star is not pained. It is anodised. Anodising is fairly scratch resistant. My main moan with the Al-Star is that the pen dries out in the drawer over a few weeks. I've not used a Safari. Is that better for not drying out? Thanks for this thoughtful review. Done so well as always.
Thanks for the comments as always! Good catch - about the Al-Star being anodized. That said, I did manage to scratch mine quite a bit in a pen case together with other pens. Perhaps I was just a bit rough with it. I agree with you on the variability of Lamy nibs. These days, I've found them to be finer than years back. My sample size is small, but the Lamy F nibs on my more recent pens are much finer than F nibs of yesteryear. Since the ceiling design is virtually the same between the two, I would assume both dry out in similar timeframes. When I used to use a Safari or Al-Star daily, I tended to refill the ink every weekend so I didn't have a problem with the nib drying out.
@@seattlepenclub Thanks for coming back. It's appreciated. Having slept on it I think there might be a lacquer on top of the anodizing. There is a very good You Tube showing a little of how they are made. My Lamy nib sample is larger than it should be as I bought quite a few to learn basic nib smithing with. I have an Al-Star inked at the moment as my daily write. It will be used until its empty. Whereas most of my pens are used for two days and rotated. When well adjusted the Lamy nibs are excellent writers in my book. I quite hapilly shift between an Al-Star and a premium pen. One of the things I have enjoyed on your channel is your exploration of this pen niche. Thanks 👍
Your steel nib experience depends a lot on the smoothness of the nib (some are better, others aren't) and the ink you use. If you use a wetter ink (e.g. Diamine Saphire blue) and a well broken in / polished steel nib, it hardly needs any pressure!
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm now intrigued by a gold nib for my safari or al star. Question though: There appears to be multiple models, such as the Z55, Z56, and Z57. Can you point me to a good summary of the differences? I'm getting mixed info on my google searches. Z55 has a breather hole where the Z56 and Z57 do not. There are some cosmetic differences, but is that all? Thanks for any suggestions you can offer...
10:40 That black ring actually has nothing to do with the closure at all. The closure happens just behind the nib. There is a little lip... That is what the cap grabs onto. Definitely like both, but I really dislike the plain shiny plastic safaris. The safari with matte texture are nice, but there are relatively few with the matte texture.
Chalk me up in the Team Safari -- but only luke warm at that. Either/both are utile pens. I've found the EF, F and even 1.1 stub nibs...adequate; medium is pretty smooth but a bit broad for my writing. I wanted to be in team Al-Star but that finish is not terribly durable. My daughter gifted me one so I treasure it -- and sickened to see the finish rubbing off at the bottom of the cap.
I was very surprised to hear that you feel the one negative point is the steel nib, because my Lamy Safari was a dream to write with straight out of the box. Listening to the rest of the points you make, I find actually I'm in the opposite camp! The louder the click, the better I'd like it and a cold vs. warm feel (metal vs. plastic) doesn't even feature on my list.
This is a difficult decision for any pen with multiple varieties of the same model. To me it is almost totally subjective. Yes the AL is made with metal but is it truly different? Maybe. Look at the Parker Sonnet. So many varieties, so many materials. Which is better? I have three; two with Chinese Laque and a Cisele. I can't decide between any of them. They feel slightly different, so it depends on my hand in any particular day. I think you know what I mean.
Aluminium body also affects design -- it looks much more beautiful than ABS plastic. I love my Al-Star Petrol. But I will definitely consider trying a gold nib.
Like you, I prefer to write without applying any downward pressure. But, I did not have the same problem that you seem to have. What I did was I adjusted my Lamy Al-Star nibs just a bit, and all 4 of my Al-Stars work very well. I think the steel nibs are OK, they just need a bit of tweaking to make them write very well.
Now there is Team LX, and Team Not Lamy. Personally, I am Team Lamy, since some Safaris work for me (Vista,) while some Al-Stars (White Silver) fall in the same camp i.e. pen-specific, based on finish, and colour.
i really like lamy Fountain Pens. But what i hate about them is, that even EF nibs are something like B on Kaweco or japanese pens.. And they vary a lot with line thickness from EF nib to EF nib
I have to agree with you about Lamy steel nibs in medium and fine. Very unpleasant. However, I really enjoy my Safari with a broad steel nib. I find it to be very smooth and wet.
I have only ever used safaris and have no desire to try an al-star: they’re more expensive and they look worse. there aren’t as many colours to choose from, I hate the metallic colour ways and I do NOT like that the grip part is a different colour. I think it’s so jarring that it’s so shiny but such a clunky looking design? I think that metal looks nicer on smooth rounded pens
While the quarrel will never unravel, the only winner is Lamy, lol. For me, it depends on the model, though to have to say, my top 2 pens is a tie between the Lamy Vista Black, and Lamy Al-Star in Petrol.
Honestly I would just go with the better offer, I got a bronze Al Star with 5 black cartridges for 15 euros, can't say I'm disappointed lol. I also spoke with quite a few people that managed to break their safaris, it's not surprising since it's plastic and absolutely not stronger than aluminum (really why people think that?), I don't mind scratches on a workhorse pen and I like to have that extra security that aluminum gives.
First of all budget! OK! Doesn't it depend on one's budget? If travelling _(plane)_ weight could be an issue? Don't Safari and Al-Star use the same _nib and converter (Z28),_ and the same ink?
Does the Lamy Al-Star come in a completely clear, demonstrator? No? ..... then that leaves out the Al-Star. I only like fountain pen demonstrators. The Al-Star will lose its anodised coloring and it will dent.
Count me as a fan of neither. The Safari was my first pen because everyone said it was the one to get... But there isn't much I like about it. The looks don't bother me, actually I like it and appreciate the design. BUT... I hate the grip/section. It's always been an inconsistent writer, skipping. I've tried multiple nibs and still have issues with it The nibs' loose fit gets in the way of writing.
It seems to me that on your grid results alone, the safari is a clear winner because you say that everything but the price is identical then you cancel out the all stars higher price and call it a draw because the all-star materials are 'better'. If you have established that the materials make no difference to the other criteria then I don't think you can say the materials are 'better', especially when the rest of your video says that the plastic is better for durabiliy and 'feel' as well. That only leaves 'plastic must be bad compared to metal' which is not always true.
After years of not being a fan of the Safari styling, I'm now also in team Safari, but only team-matte-finish Safari. I think there is variation in all manufacturers' nibs so I usually end up tuning the nibs on most of my pens, but I think I got lucky with the steel nibs on my two Safaris. Both are a pleasure to use, without the need for any additional pressure. Both pens write reliably under their own weight, and exerting extra pressure doesn't really affect the writing. I recently tried the Lamy gold nib for the first time. It did feel great; smoother but still controllable, but I still don't see myself getting a Lamy gold nib because I enjoy the steel ones so much.
3:15 “Sorry for the messy writing” as he casually writes neatly written script in a second than I can in an hour 😂
Count me as team Al-Star...cold body and all! haha
I’m one who enjoys LAMY steel nibs, but I do tend to write hard, I think, and I only print. I rarely use cursive. Mostly I write letters, around 75 to 100 letters per month (I wrote 106 in December), which means I write nearly every day. I have a fairly large fountain pen collection with over 300 pens, of which about 50 are LAMY pens. I have several Safari, and all of the AL-STAR pens. (I do prefer the matte finish.) I have several pens with their 14K gold nibs. I have a few of every pen they make, except the Emporium-only one of those. I’m not bragging, just saying I have a lot of experience with LAMY pens too. My least favorite, as you might imagine, is their Fine nib. I do have a few, and I use them, just not my favorite. My favorite LAMY nib is their 1.1 stub. I have a lot of stub pens, and the LAMY 1.1 is by far the best I have tried. Ironically, their Cursive nib is another favorite. It’s probably safe to say that I use a LAMY pen everyday, or nearly so. I agree with your assessment on the Safari vs AL-STAR. I really feel no difference when using either of them. I almost always recommend the Safari to a new fountain pen user because they always write, and they write well, and changing the nib is easier than any pen I have found. Thanks for the comparison. I’ve subscribed. 😊
Team Al Star here!
Safari just looks and feels.... cheapy.
I love my Lamy AL Star in a deep blue.
This is my go-to, edc pen.
I have nicer pens, but this pen lives on my work desk
AL-star, every time. I love when a pen is cool, I love when thing I own and use get a bit of character like some faint scratches.
(I own more than 20 of each).
The gold nib is a big upgrade from the steel nib. I di d put it on my Al Star, though. I don't think I've a preference between the two, at the moment.
The biggest reason I prefer the Safari over the Al-Star is actually that the ABS plastic on the (matte) Safari feels better on the grip section especially than the smooth smoky grip section of the Al-Star. All of my Safaris are matte though so I am unsure how the smoother variants compare. I also prefer the logo etching on the Safari over the Al-Star, and the Matte over the shiny colors.
Also I prefer for the color of the grip section to match the body of the pen the way they do on the safari!
I wish I could get the matte finish of the safari grip with the body weight of the al-star 😭
I have an AL-Star and a Vista. I never thought about the differences in sound and in feel in the hand, but you are quite right. These are two of my favorite pens, anyway, but now I have something new to think about. I’m probably Team Vista! 😊
love your channel . i also started with the safari and have given a couple away to friends who are not (yet) fountain pen folk. my turquoise safari is my edc and i love that i dont need to be so concerned with beating it up or misplacing it. i'm curious about the gold nib upgrade, and agree that with some pressure the default steel lamy nib performs much better. about to check out your video on the topic. thanks for the video and happy holidays from pdx :)
Thanks - happy holidays!!
This video answers a question I had since I bought my first safari(F nib) about week ago.
It writes so thin and dry almost skips when I use my normal pressure and speed to write. Even compared to kakuno and cheaper jinhaos.
I wasnt sure wether it's normal and I just need to adapt or there's something wrong since it's my first safari (and lamy in general)
It's already better now since I've tried and swapped the nib back and forth with a chinese fake(ironically,it writes as good or even better than the real one). Maybe there really was a bit of problem with the inkflow or I just "accept" that it needs more pressure.
And then out of curiosity I planned to buy another safari or al star because there's a discount and when I searched for videos about the difference between those two I found this video.
Now I don't need to and won't buy another safari/alstar in the meantime.🤣
Love the steel nib. It lays down a good amount of ink, and I like the feedback. I have more expensive pens that feel more refined, but the Lamy is just that workhorse pen for me. I use a medium nib Lamy to grade papers (and these are high school kids, so it’s going to be inexpensive loose leaf or copier paper), and the nib never skips or fails to grip or hard starts. The ergonomics and light weight of the plastic body has me comfortably writing for hours at a time. Plus I don’t have to baby it. I do take care most times, but if it falls or gets thrown in my tote, I’m not panicking that it’s going to get dented or damaged.
Aloha! Nice look at two pens that I own a few of, plus one Vista. I agree that when I first got my Safari and Vista, I was not very happy with the nib. Very scratchy and for sure a nail, but I bought a few more to give the nibs a chance. A little better, but still scratchy. So fast forward a few years, as I learn about tuning a nib, even with crude nib smoothing, the nibs write much better. Only one of the nibs, an EF, I had to open up the tines as it was barely putting down any ink. While they both cap just fine, I think the AL-Star feels like it's on more securely. My only wish is the grip section was a bit girthier and the suggested tri-pod type grip works to my advantage when using any of the stub nibs as it helps in aligning the nib. Now, I really want to try a Lamy 14K nib .... Mahalo, Thomas
I should try opening up the tines - thanks for the tip!
@@seattlepenclub I should note that only that one particular EF nib had tight nib tines. Since I paid only a few bucks more for the AL-Star than just the nib would of cost itself, I thought it was worth the risk to work on the tines instead of a return or exchange. But as far as nib smoothing, I think I have had to tune just about all the nibs - now they all "sing!" (That is why I said my crude nib smoothing in my previous comment!)
This is a great subject for a video. I enjoyed it as I do all of your videos.
What follows does not challenge your personal choices. They are merely my views.
Regarding the nibs. They are so variable both in their writing width and as to how well tuned they are.
My standard procedure with a Lamy steel nib as to increase the wetness by using feeler gauges slid in between the tines, if necessary. This is better than opening the nib with bending because of the way the nib mounts on the feed.
To get a good nib smoothness I give them a quick polish on micromesh. Just a few seconds.
When these processes are done the steel nib writes every bit as nicely, for smoothness and ink flow, as the gold nib. After all it is the tipping doing the writing and not the steel or gold, both of which are stiff with these nibs.
The Al-Star is not pained. It is anodised. Anodising is fairly scratch resistant.
My main moan with the Al-Star is that the pen dries out in the drawer over a few weeks. I've not used a Safari. Is that better for not drying out?
Thanks for this thoughtful review. Done so well as always.
Thanks for the comments as always! Good catch - about the Al-Star being anodized. That said, I did manage to scratch mine quite a bit in a pen case together with other pens. Perhaps I was just a bit rough with it.
I agree with you on the variability of Lamy nibs. These days, I've found them to be finer than years back. My sample size is small, but the Lamy F nibs on my more recent pens are much finer than F nibs of yesteryear.
Since the ceiling design is virtually the same between the two, I would assume both dry out in similar timeframes. When I used to use a Safari or Al-Star daily, I tended to refill the ink every weekend so I didn't have a problem with the nib drying out.
@@seattlepenclub Thanks for coming back. It's appreciated.
Having slept on it I think there might be a lacquer on top of the anodizing.
There is a very good You Tube showing a little of how they are made.
My Lamy nib sample is larger than it should be as I bought quite a few to learn basic nib smithing with. I have an Al-Star inked at the moment as my daily write. It will be used until its empty. Whereas most of my pens are used for two days and rotated. When well adjusted the Lamy nibs are excellent writers in my book. I quite hapilly shift between an Al-Star and a premium pen.
One of the things I have enjoyed on your channel is your exploration of this pen niche.
Thanks 👍
Your steel nib experience depends a lot on the smoothness of the nib (some are better, others aren't) and the ink you use.
If you use a wetter ink (e.g. Diamine Saphire blue) and a well broken in / polished steel nib, it hardly needs any pressure!
Good video. What are best nibs for sketching drawing etc?
Medium, broad etc
Thanks
Thanks for your thoughts. I'm now intrigued by a gold nib for my safari or al star.
Question though: There appears to be multiple models, such as the Z55, Z56, and Z57. Can you point me to a good summary of the differences? I'm getting mixed info on my google searches. Z55 has a breather hole where the Z56 and Z57 do not. There are some cosmetic differences, but is that all?
Thanks for any suggestions you can offer...
I have tried the version without the breather hole and can't personally tell the difference. I'm not quite sure why they make both! :)
10:40 That black ring actually has nothing to do with the closure at all. The closure happens just behind the nib. There is a little lip... That is what the cap grabs onto.
Definitely like both, but I really dislike the plain shiny plastic safaris. The safari with matte texture are nice, but there are relatively few with the matte texture.
Chalk me up in the Team Safari -- but only luke warm at that. Either/both are utile pens. I've found the EF, F and even 1.1 stub nibs...adequate; medium is pretty smooth but a bit broad for my writing. I wanted to be in team Al-Star but that finish is not terribly durable. My daughter gifted me one so I treasure it -- and sickened to see the finish rubbing off at the bottom of the cap.
I was very surprised to hear that you feel the one negative point is the steel nib, because my Lamy Safari was a dream to write with straight out of the box.
Listening to the rest of the points you make, I find actually I'm in the opposite camp! The louder the click, the better I'd like it and a cold vs. warm feel (metal vs. plastic) doesn't even feature on my list.
This is a difficult decision for any pen with multiple varieties of the same model. To me it is almost totally subjective. Yes the AL is made with metal but is it truly different? Maybe.
Look at the Parker Sonnet. So many varieties, so many materials. Which is better? I have three; two with Chinese Laque and a Cisele. I can't decide between any of them. They feel slightly different, so it depends on my hand in any particular day. I think you know what I mean.
Aluminium body also affects design -- it looks much more beautiful than ABS plastic. I love my Al-Star Petrol.
But I will definitely consider trying a gold nib.
Like you, I prefer to write without applying any downward pressure. But, I did not have the same problem that you seem to have. What I did was I adjusted my Lamy Al-Star nibs just a bit, and all 4 of my Al-Stars work very well. I think the steel nibs are OK, they just need a bit of tweaking to make them write very well.
What kind of adjustment did you do?
Now there is Team LX, and Team Not Lamy. Personally, I am Team Lamy, since some Safaris work for me (Vista,) while some Al-Stars (White Silver) fall in the same camp i.e. pen-specific, based on finish, and colour.
I prefer an extra fine safari with the smooth finish and silver clip over everything else. Its my favorite pen by far.
i really like lamy Fountain Pens. But what i hate about them is, that even EF nibs are something like B on Kaweco or japanese pens.. And they vary a lot with line thickness from EF nib to EF nib
The AL Star makes a very satisfying pop when opened and shut. The Safari's is a weak plop in comparison. Team: AL Star for me!!✊🏻📝
What is that notebook????
I’m sorry to know you don’t have a good experience with steel nib. Mine do the work fine. But nowadays I mostly use my Lamy for skething
I have to agree with you about Lamy steel nibs in medium and fine. Very unpleasant. However, I really enjoy my Safari with a broad steel nib. I find it to be very smooth and wet.
The aluminium is anodised, not painted, so there shouldn't be any problem with it getting scratched.
Most of the models are anodised, but black alstar model is painted, and it peels off on the spring, and scratches in the body.
@@jorllima what about graphite version? Is that painted?
@@Unknown-ki8yk I think that graphite version is anodized.
@@jorllima thanks
I’m team Lamy Safari and Lamy Joy. My reason: the colors remind me of LEGO! I just love!
I have only ever used safaris and have no desire to try an al-star: they’re more expensive and they look worse. there aren’t as many colours to choose from, I hate the metallic colour ways and I do NOT like that the grip part is a different colour. I think it’s so jarring that it’s so shiny but such a clunky looking design? I think that metal looks nicer on smooth rounded pens
While the quarrel will never unravel, the only winner is Lamy, lol. For me, it depends on the model, though to have to say, my top 2 pens is a tie between the Lamy Vista Black, and Lamy Al-Star in Petrol.
Honestly I would just go with the better offer, I got a bronze Al Star with 5 black cartridges for 15 euros, can't say I'm disappointed lol.
I also spoke with quite a few people that managed to break their safaris, it's not surprising since it's plastic and absolutely not stronger than aluminum (really why people think that?), I don't mind scratches on a workhorse pen and I like to have that extra security that aluminum gives.
I prefer safari. To me the extra weight and slipperyness is not worth the fancy look
You should normalize your audio, it's really hard to hear
First of all budget! OK! Doesn't it depend on one's budget? If travelling _(plane)_ weight could be an issue? Don't Safari and Al-Star use the same _nib and converter (Z28),_ and the same ink?
I have two Safaris with GOLD nibs. Love the body. Love the nibs. Better than my Lamy 2000 (nice pen, but doesn’t fit my hand well.)
Does the Lamy Al-Star come in a completely clear, demonstrator? No? ..... then that leaves out the Al-Star. I only like fountain pen demonstrators. The Al-Star will lose its anodised coloring and it will dent.
Count me as a fan of neither. The Safari was my first pen because everyone said it was the one to get... But there isn't much I like about it. The looks don't bother me, actually I like it and appreciate the design. BUT...
I hate the grip/section.
It's always been an inconsistent writer, skipping.
I've tried multiple nibs and still have issues with it
The nibs' loose fit gets in the way of writing.
The *clear* winner would be Lamy Vista, but, of course, sane people would get a Euro version of Pilot MR instead.
It seems to me that on your grid results alone, the safari is a clear winner because you say that everything but the price is identical then you cancel out the all stars higher price and call it a draw because the all-star materials are 'better'. If you have established that the materials make no difference to the other criteria then I don't think you can say the materials are 'better', especially when the rest of your video says that the plastic is better for durabiliy and 'feel' as well. That only leaves 'plastic must be bad compared to metal' which is not always true.
I don't have any AL Safaris.
plastic is bad for the environment. metal is better and more recyclable.