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Best Lamy Pens

Updated April 2023
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Lamy 2000 Black Fountain Pen, Extra-Fine Nib
Lamy
2000 Black Fountain Pen, Extra-Fine Nib
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Premium Choice
Bottom Line

Fountain pen aficionados will appreciate the stylish European design and solid construction of this top-of-the-line model, which is paired with a sleek leather case.

Pros

Users love the way the fountain pen feels in the hand. Comfortable and sturdy. Holds a decent amount of ink and is easy to fill and to clean. Writes very smoothly and with consistent lines. Nib is made from beautiful platinum-coated 14 karat gold.

Cons

Price point will dissuade all but the most ardent fans of the brand. Should use only excellent quality paper for best results. Nibs run wider than some users expect. Can only be used with bottled ink.

Best Bang for the Buck
Lamy Safari Umber Fountain Pen
Lamy
Safari Umber Fountain Pen
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Simple Yet Solid
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With a comfortable price point for anyone interested in trying a fountain pen made with solid craftsmanship, this writing implement is a perfect starter tool.

Pros

Nib size can be changed easily. Ink flows smoothly without sputtering, and the pen works well for both writing and drawing. First-time fountain pen buyers are happy with how quickly they're able to learn to use it, and that it feels natural in the hand.

Cons

Newbies might need trial and error to determine what nib size works best; some find that medium writes too thickly.

Lamy Pico Ballpoint Pen
Lamy
Pico Ballpoint Pen
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Ballpoint Version
Bottom Line

The perfection of the brand isn't just for fountain pens: this sophisticated ballpoint version will turn heads as well as provide a superior writing experience.

Pros

Mechanism to use and retract pen is sturdy, and overall construction allows pen to be kept in a pocket or purse without coming apart. Users love the look, feel, and curve of the pen, and the chrome exterior gives it a polished, professional appearance.

Cons

Refills are a bit on the small – and pricey – side, so may want to buy them in bulk.

Lamy AL-Star Purple Fountain Pen, Medium Nib
Lamy
AL-Star Purple Fountain Pen, Medium Nib
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Stylish & Sturdy
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Colorful and stylish, this lower-cost fountain pen will be the center of attention, all while giving its user years of writing pleasure.

Pros

Fashioned from brilliantly hued and durable – yet still lightweight – anodized aluminum. Pen can be used with a converter and bottled ink in addition to cartridges. Writes when it's supposed to, without tapping on the nib to make ink flow. Great for everyday use.

Cons

Fountain pen novices may find that determining the correct grip to write properly can take some getting used to.

Lamy Joy Black and Red Calligraphy Fountain Pen, 1.5 mm Nib
Lamy
Joy Black and Red Calligraphy Fountain Pen, 1.5 mm Nib
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Great for Creative Writing
Bottom Line

Put true artistry into calligraphy writing using a world-class instrument with a specially-designed nib that allows for perfect line variations where needed.

Pros

Can swap out nib sizes to create different script sizes and styles. Sold-separately converter will fit to swap out cartridges for bottled ink if desired. Window on pen helps monitor ink level. Users love the bright red trim’s contrast with the glossy black pen body.

Cons

Some Lamy fans find this pen a bit longer than other models, making it too tall for shirt pockets and creating a different grip.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best Lamy pens

Writing by hand decelerates the thought process, focuses the mind, and reduces stress. It connects you more closely to a topic and allows you to develop a stronger understanding than would happen if you were typing. However, to have the most fulfilling experience, you need the proper writing implement. A Lamy pen is just such a precision writing tool.

There are several elements to consider when shopping for a Lamy pen. The type of pen and nib are the two key factors that distinguish the many Lamy pens from each other. Knowing how large your writing will be and how you prefer to write (straight or slanted) can allow you to quickly narrow down your choices to just a few Lamy pens that are best suited to your needs.

Learn more about the different types of Lamy pens that are available.

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An unused Lamy ink cartridge has a shelf life of roughly one year.

Types of Lamy pens

When you think of a Lamy pen, you’re probably picturing a stylish, modern fountain pen that you can use for calligraphy. However, there are four different types of Lamy pens, and each one is designed for a slightly different user experience.

Fountain pens

These are the high-end models in the Lamy pen line. Fountain pens facilitate elegant writing while combining excellent craftsmanship with style. Lamy fountain pens offer the user a high level of comfort with an ergonomic grip and a smooth flow of ink, which means the writer needn’t exert much pressure to write. Lamy fountain pens cost between $30 and $50, but there are some special high-quality designer models that can cost $200 or $300.

Ballpoint pens

The line of Lamy ballpoint pens is designed for quick writing, such as note-taking. These are highly versatile writing implements that function as entry-level models in the world of luxury pens. Lamy ballpoint pens range from about $10 to $20.

Rollerball pens

Lamy's rollerball pens reside between the ballpoint pen line and the fountain pen line. These comfortable, ergonomic pens allow the user to write quickly, like the ballpoint pen, but are designed so the ink flows effortlessly, like a fountain pen. Because of the design, a rollerball pen uses ink more rapidly than a ballpoint pen. Lamy rollerball pens fall within the $20 to $30 range, but they can be priced higher or lower.

Multisystem pens

Just like it sounds, these are the most versatile pens that Lamy manufactures. They can serve as a pencil, a multicolored pen (red, blue, black, or green ink), or a marker. Lamy multisystem pens cost between $30 and $50.

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Nibs

The nib is what defines the look of your handwriting stroke. There is a wide variety of Lamy nibs and, with few exceptions, you can use whichever nib you most prefer on the pen that you like to create a fully customizable writing experience.

Rounded

Lamy's rounded nibs provide a smooth writing experience so there is no sticking or scratching while writing.

Left-handed

This nib is specifically designed for left-handed users who tilt their hand while writing.

Straight

For writers who use a straight grip, Lamy has four options: extra fine, fine, broad, and extra-broad nibs. The smaller your script, the finer the nib.

Oblique

For anyone who writes on a slant, Lamy has medium, bold, and extra-bold oblique nibs.

Calligraphy

For writers interested in calligraphy, Lamy offers 1.1 mm, 1.5 mm, and 1.9 mm nibs with a flat tip to facilitate the graceful strokes of varying weights needed for the art form.

Premium and special

Finally, for the individual who wants to write in luxury, Lamy has a variety of gold and stainless steel nibs that provide a softer writing experience along with adding a flash of style to your pen.

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Writing with a fountain pen requires smooth, precise control that can help a child develop their fine motor skills.

FAQ

Q. Will the ink from Lamy pens stain my clothing?

A. Yes. You must be careful because only the royal blue in Lamy pens can be removed to a satisfactory degree from most fabrics.

Q. How long will an ink cartridge for my Lamy fountain pen last?

A. The answer to this question depends on the type of nib you’re using. Obviously, if you’re using a fine nib, the pen will last longer. Likewise, broad strokes will use up your ink at a much more rapid pace. Somewhere between six to ten pages per cartridge is the average.

Q. What is a converter?

A. A converter is a special type of ink cartridge that allows you to use bottled ink instead of a one-time-use cartridge.

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