Lamy AL-star 071 Fountain Pen - Aluminium Fountain Pen in Black with Transparent Grip and Steel Nib - EF Nib Size

Quality build and not heavy. The nibs are generally consistent some are smoother than others but all this depends on your choice of ink and paper. I have found the medium and fine nibs to work well with general office paper if the ink is not too wet. Changing nibs is very easy and low cost - a wide range of nibs is available. All round these pens have a good reputation which is deserved. A must in everyone's collection or an excellent first buy.

A good pen for those who like it dry

I usually enjoy wet nibs and inks when I write, but I've found myself impressed by the fine nib on this lamy. It's absolutely a dry nib, no doubt about it, but dry does not equal scratchy! Coupled with the LAMY black cartridges that I have a gross amount of, the pen actually writes really well.On printer paper, there was some bleed through, but no feathering (atleast to my standards), and this is also terrible printer paper. On FP friendly printer paper I'm sure it would fare much betterPerfect performance on Midori MD paper. I expected it to feel poor with the combined slight tooth of the paper, but it was actually pretty smooth.Tomoe River much the same as the Midori.Overall I recommend this pen to those who enjoy drier writing experiences and a finer nib.

Excellent Color Revival... Now Where's the Ink?

One of my deep fountain pen regrets is not paying attention in 2017 when the LAMY safari Petrol was released. So, I was very excited when the Petrol AL-Star was announced. I ordered it immediately so I would receive the matching pen case. The color more than lived up to expectations and is now my favorite AL-Star color. Since LAMY has yet to reissue the Petrol ink (fingers crossed!) I am using Sailor Yurameku Sukigokoro in in it. The ink is a dead ringer for the pen's color when it first emerges, but then does that color shift magic and no longer matches. Not a perfect ink choice, but certainly a fun one. It's high time for LAMY to reissue the Petrol & Dark Lilac inks!

Fantastic beginner’s pen

This is my second fountain pen purchase and I must say I absolutely love it. When searching for my first fountain pen, I was originally going to get the LAMY Safari, but after seeing multiple reviews of people saying the tapered grip made it uncomfortable for big handed folk I decided to go with the TWSBI Eco. I’d get hooked on fountain pen writing from there, and then decided to get a LAMY, opting for the Al-Star for looks. As a 6’5 man with very large hands I can say that the idea of the tapered grip being harmful to big hands is a myth, and that these people are likely writing with a death grip and attributing the issue to the pen. This pen has an unbelievably soft & smooth nib, a light build allowing for easy bulk writing, and a sleek design that manages to be ... MoreThis is my second fountain pen purchase and I must say I absolutely love it. When searching for my first fountain pen, I was originally going to get the LAMY Safari, but after seeing multiple reviews of people saying the tapered grip made it uncomfortable for big handed folk I decided to go with the TWSBI Eco. I’d get hooked on fountain pen writing from there, and then decided to get a LAMY, opting for the Al-Star for looks. As a 6’5 man with very large hands I can say that the idea of the tapered grip being harmful to big hands is a myth, and that these people are likely writing with a death grip and attributing the issue to the pen. This pen has an unbelievably soft & smooth nib, a light build allowing for easy bulk writing, and a sleek design that manages to be both ergonomic & stylish. My only mild issue is that- at least in comparison to a piston filler like the TWSBI Eco- the capacity of the pen is lacking.

Flawless, feels good in the hand, suitable for everyday use

At first it took a little bit to get used to. Then one day I realized that the only thing I noticed was a great writing experience. Good feel, good flow, easy to control. I spent time chasing down ballpoint and gel "best of" pens. I literally stumbled on to fountain pens - and it is another world, a better writing experience altogether I believe. LAMY is well made andfunc- tion-al - engineered, designed to just work, it does it's job and does it well.

My 2nd fountain pen...

I LOVE IT! My first pen was a TWSBI Eco T with a medium nib, and I love that. I just received this Lamy AL-star with a broad nib, I cleaned and inked it up right away. Oh my goodness, I just LOVE it!!!! It feels nice in my hand, i like how it isn't a screw top, and i like the converter - everything is just easy. Great for a beginner like me. i have nothing bad to say. Great pen! I learned everything about my fountain pen by watching the Goulet videos - they teach you everything! Which gave me the confidence to order one in the first place.

Perfect in every way

This pen is amazing. After using it for about 3 months, I can say a few things. First, the aluminium body adds the perfect amount of weight to make it just right. Also, the ef nib is great. It has some nice feedback while still gliding over the paper. Also, the triangle shaped handle makes it good to give to friends, since it sets them up for success with the right grip. However, the clip is getting a bit loose, but that is a (kinda) easy fix. Overall, one of my favourite pens, especially considering how affordable it is.

Replacing an icon

So the cat had a freakout and sent my Safari shooting across my home office and landing hard on my porcelain tile floor. At first, I thought it had survived.Two days later, I discovered a crack in the barrel. And I mourned. The Safari, you see, had been my very first fountain pen, going back to the early 2000s. And while I have since collected others, my Safari was still my favorite, with its ultra smooth nib; it makes writing effortless. And sentiment. You always remember your first.But I couldn't replace it with another red Safari. I tried. In my heart, I knew it was the wrong move.Enter the black purple AL-star. It looked right. And now that it's here and in my hand, it feels right. The nib is as wonderful as my original Safari, although I think my original ... MoreSo the cat had a freakout and sent my Safari shooting across my home office and landing hard on my porcelain tile floor. At first, I thought it had survived.Two days later, I discovered a crack in the barrel. And I mourned. The Safari, you see, had been my very first fountain pen, going back to the early 2000s. And while I have since collected others, my Safari was still my favorite, with its ultra smooth nib; it makes writing effortless. And sentiment. You always remember your first.But I couldn't replace it with another red Safari. I tried. In my heart, I knew it was the wrong move.Enter the black purple AL-star. It looked right. And now that it's here and in my hand, it feels right. The nib is as wonderful as my original Safari, although I think my original was a broader tip, perhaps. (The packaging, however, is no longer plastic and yay less plastic but flimsy paper?)I did keep the converter from my Safari, so my AL-star is the best of the old and the new.RIP my Safari. Long live the AL-Star.

Smooth writer, Lamy reliability

I've put off buying a Lamy AL-star pen for quite some time now. After all, they seemed to be fairly similar to the Safaris, a pen I have a love-hate relationship with, despite the fact that they've been my daily driver for almost ten years now. However, after seeing this color and finally purchasing one, I'm very annoyed that I didn't purchase one earlier.With a slight weight to it that's rather comfortable from the metal body, to the way in which I can see the ink easily, and the wonderful color, it's immediately become one of my favorite pens. It doesn't feel quite as bulky in my hand as some of my other pens can, and so it makes it remarkably comfortable, even if the fact that it's slightly heavier than other pens might seem otherwise.Overall, I love this ... MoreI've put off buying a Lamy AL-star pen for quite some time now. After all, they seemed to be fairly similar to the Safaris, a pen I have a love-hate relationship with, despite the fact that they've been my daily driver for almost ten years now. However, after seeing this color and finally purchasing one, I'm very annoyed that I didn't purchase one earlier.With a slight weight to it that's rather comfortable from the metal body, to the way in which I can see the ink easily, and the wonderful color, it's immediately become one of my favorite pens. It doesn't feel quite as bulky in my hand as some of my other pens can, and so it makes it remarkably comfortable, even if the fact that it's slightly heavier than other pens might seem otherwise.Overall, I love this pen, and I'm quite happy with it. If I'm not careful, I'm going to end up with a few more in my collection.

Thank God for Lamy's quick change nibs!

This pen is beautiful, great weight, and length! I got it with the extra fine nib, as it was the only option available when I purchased it. As a recently new person on the fountain pen hobby, I hadn't tried an extra fine. The nib felt very scratchy at first, decided to use the pen with a fine nib instead, and have loved it ever since. As for the extra fin nib, I installed it on a Safari, and flexed it a bit. Not sure if its because of the lighter material or because of my flexing, but the nib doesn't feel scratchy anymore. Thank God for Lamy's interchangeable nibs, and the Goulet Pens Youtube channel!P.S.And if you're not sure what ink goes well with the color of the pen, Pilot Iroshizuku Shin-Ryoku looks great!