Nib size for a Lamy Safari

[jkh]

I am planning to purchase a Lamy Safari as an affordable first fountain pen, but I am uncertain if I should go with the fine or medium nib size. I know that nib size is going to be a personal preference, so to help you guys help me, know that I really dislike using 0.5mm "lead" in my mechanical pencils and much prefer the perfectly sized 0.7mm "lead". Would the fine or medium nib size be closer to my beloved 0.7mm sized mechanical pencil "lead"?

Also, are nib size universal across nib manufacturers?

 

[strop]

The answer to the second is easy. No. There is a lot of variation, the the major difference is East and West. Japanese nibs run narrower than western nibs. I'm guessing, because I don't own a Lamy, is the a F nib may be better for you. Replacement nibs are available, though.

 

[thebikingengineer]

I'd grab a Fine Nib if I were you. I've got a medium nib, and while it does write nicely it also flows more than I would prefer (with bottled inks, I'd avoid their carts).

 

[shaverjoe]

I have 3 Lamys- 2 Safaris and an Al-Star. Given the description of your preference, I would get the Fine nib as well. I have both EF and F nibs for the aforementioned pens. I think the Lamy F nib is a very smooth writing nib. Part of the decision may also depend on the paper you plan on using. The medium nib may be too wet a writer if you are using a lower quality paper. JMO.

 

[shaverjoe]

(with bottled inks, I'd avoid their carts).

+1 here. Make sure you grab a converter for the Lamy as well.

 

[zethreal]

I agree, definitely go with a fine. If you decide that the fine is too fine, you can get new nibs for the Safari for under $15 each. Once you get them, you can easily switch between them using a piece of scotch tape! Also, their "nicer" (Read: more expensive) pens mostly use the same nib, so you can start a nib collection

I have a medium, broad & 1.5mm nib for my safari. I've only used the medium and 1.5mm nib and can say that the medium is a bit thick for me, but I have chicken scratch handwriting & you need thin lines to have any chance of deciphering it.

 

[Hunter]

I agree, definitely go with a fine. If you decide that the fine is too fine, you can get new nibs for the Safari for under $15 each. Once you get them, you can easily switch between them using a piece of scotch tape! Also, their "nicer" (Read: more expensive) pens mostly use the same nib, so you can start a nib collection

I have a medium, broad & 1.5mm nib for my safari. I've only used the medium and 1.5mm nib and can say that the medium is a bit thick for me, but I have chicken scratch handwriting & you need thin lines to have any chance of deciphering it.

I have the 1.9 for my Safari but I think I'll end up getting a few different nibs for it eventually.

 

[zethreal]

I have the 1.9 for my Safari but I think I'll end up getting a few different nibs for it eventually.

I've had issues with the 1.5 ( someone that wasn't familiar with FP's borrowed it and I've been messing with the nib since ). I may end up getting a 1.9 for my LAMY and a Pilot Parallel set.

 

[jkh]

Thanks for the input, gentlemen - sounds like a fine nib may be a better choice for an all around nib. I also found a helpful Amazon video review for the Lamy Safari with a fine nib where the reviewer compared the line thickness to stock grade ballpoint and a mechanical pencil (which I assume was a 0.5mm) - the fine looked just about right.

I was also planning on getting the refill converter and bottle of Noodler's ink. Anything else to get me started?

 

[Shave_Rat]

Thanks for the input, gentlemen - sounds like a fine nib may be a better choice for an all around nib. I also found a helpful Amazon video review for the Lamy Safari with a fine nib where the reviewer compared the line thickness to stock grade ballpoint and a mechanical pencil (which I assume was a 0.5mm). The fine looked just about right.

I was also planning on getting the refill converter and bottle of Noodler's ink. Anything else to get me started?

If you are ordering from Goulet pens, which I can highly recommend for a vendor, I'd have them toss in one of those bulbs for help with flushing the pen, or even the cleaning kit, with the bottle of pen cleaning solution and the squeeze bulb.

 

[zethreal]

I was also planning on getting the refill converter and bottle of Noodler's ink. Anything else to get me started?

If you're going through gouletpens.com, I'd recommend getting a sampler pack of inks so you can get an idea of what all is out there ( for a relatively low investment ). This is in addition to a bottle of Noodlers.

Someone posted this link. It's a great idea, but I haven't taken advantage yet: http://www.gouletpens.com/Ink_Sample_Random_p/is-random.htm

What Shave_Rat said, too!

 

[Hunter]

Also ask very nicely if you can have some jelly beans, James (Syngent) told me about them when I ordered my wax and seal. They may be out now though. Actually I would look into the wax seal kit if they have them in stock again. If you are going to be writing letters a wax seal classes a letter like a hot damn.

 

[Doc4]

I am planning to purchase a Lamy Safari as an affordable first fountain pen, but I am uncertain if I should go with the fine or medium nib size. I know that nib size is going to be a personal preference, so to help you guys help me, know that I really dislike using 0.5mm "lead" in my mechanical pencils and much prefer the perfectly sized 0.7mm "lead". Would the fine or medium nib size be closer to my beloved 0.7mm sized mechanical pencil "lead"?

Also, are nib size universal across nib manufacturers?

The great thing about the Lamy is that the nibs are apparently easy to swap out, so maybe order the pen and a spare nib in the other size and decide for yourself.

 

[DET]

I mention it only because no one else has: If you have relatively small handwriting (as I do), the 1.1mm Lamy nib is really nice for getting some line variation while keeping your writing legible.

 

[celestino]

I'd grab a Fine Nib if I were you. I've got a medium nib, and while it does write nicely it also flows more than I would prefer (with bottled inks, I'd avoid their carts).

+1 i have both also and the Fine is probably what you are looking for as i also use a 0.7mm mechanical pencil. i also find the M nib of the Safaris a bit to thick. Good luck.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Throw a 1.1 italic in there, too. The are cheap, easy to swap, and you might like the line variation an italic offers. Worse case- you don't like it, PM me, and I will buy it. I want a 1.1 italic for work (1.5 is a bit wide sometimes) but cannot justify an order right now.

 

[Reckoner]

Here's a Flickr set I did for FPN a few years ago comparing different Lamy nib sizes. I'd say Fine for your case, just on the off chance that you might get an EF that is actually extra fine.

 

[Lexbomb]

Try this out, the NIB nook is a great little section that was designed especially for this cause.
http://www.gouletpens.com/Nib_Nook_s/1114.htm

 

[platon951]

some pens with medium nib write fine
turn the nib and write with the back pin point

 

[Arcadies]

Here's a Flickr set I did for FPN a few years ago comparing different Lamy nib sizes. I'd say Fine for your case, just on the off chance that you might get an EF that is actually extra fine.

I've had Strawberry Fields stuck in my head for 5 hours now, thank you very much.