Posts filed under Lamy

Lamy AL-Star Whitesilver Ballpoint Review

As a staunch #TeamSafari supporter, there is one #TeamAL-Star pen that makes me question my loyalties, and that is the Lamy AL-Star Ballpoint.

The fountain pen models are the star of Lamy’s show in both the Safari and AL-Star lineups, but don’t sleep on the ballpoint option. I reviewed the Safari Ballpoint a few years ago and fell in love with it, and I’m here today to admit the AL-Star ballpoint is ... better.

From a technical perspective, the two ballpoints are identical. Same size, same shape, same awesome knock - all of it. Aesthetically though? The AL-Star is where it is at.

I can’t believe I’m saying this, given the fact that the plastic barrel in the Safari fountain pen is a highlight for me. The plastic barrel in the Safari ballpoint is equally as great. But the design of the AL-Star is better, and better suited for the ballpoint.

Like the AL-Star fountain pen, the ballpoint features a plastic, translucent smoke grey grip section. While that is nice on the fountain pen, I feel that the same grip on the ballpoint synergizes with the ballpoint better. Since it is a knock-type pen, and not capped, the design feels more coherent. You can see the entire pen out in the open, and the grip balances the design well with the end of the pen, and it’s unique knock design.

The lone construction difference between the AL-Star ballpoint and the Safari is that the Safari barrel unscrews right above the front nose cone, and the Al-Star unscrews between the grip section and the barrel. This doesn’t change the usability of the pen in the slightest.

Writing-wise, I’m a Lamy ballpoint refill fan. They are consistently smooth and clean, and I have no issues with them no matter the length of the writing session. The refills are proprietary(-ish), with only Monteverde producing a compatible refill, but still only with ballpoint ink. Monteverde does offer many more colors than Lamy’s Black and Blue stock refills, so they may be worth trying if you enjoy the pen as much as I do.

If there is one area where I will yield to the Safari ballpoint over the AL-Star it is price. At $24, the AL-Star is $10 more than the Safari ballpoint. That is a big number for a relatively low priced pen. Are the style differences worth the price? Yesnomaybe? It is a big ask for two pens that are very close in every other aspect.

I just happen to like the Whitesilver AL-Star more than any recent Safari ballpoint, and it may make me a complete convert to the aluminum side - as least as far as oil-based ink Lamy’s go.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on March 28, 2022 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Lamy, AL-Star, Ballpoint, Pen Reviews.

Lamy Xevo Ballpoint Pen Review

The Lamy Xevo is exactly what an entry level pen should be.

When I first saw pictures of the Xevo I was intrigued. Is this a metal barrel? Plastic? Twist mechanism, or knock? $50? $25? I really liked it, but the answer to those questions, plus its performance, would determine how much.

To answer a few of those original questions, this is a plastic barrel pen with a twist mechanism to deploy the refill. And the price? $10.

The Xevo is a Lamy design from top to bottom. If you are into stationery even just a little bit, you can pick a Lamy pen out of a lineup with relative ease. I think that is great. Even the outlier designs - like the Safari or Tipo - are pure Lamy. They have great cohesion throughout the brand.

And they have me spoiled, too. I’m as hard on Lamy as I am on any company, but that is because 1. Everything they do, they do well, and 2. I want more of it. The second part is my problem, and this beloved German brand certainly knows their job better than I do. A boy can dream, right?

I picked up the Light Grey from Goldspot recently, and what I found is a workhorse pen that is great for any writing situation. The plastic barrel is lightweight and comfortable, especially with the triangular grip that you are free to rotate in your hands to your heart’s content. The twist mechanism is solid, with a short, station-to-station engagement. A quick twist clockwise engages the refill, and a quick counter the opposite direction snaps it back.

It should come as no surprise that the clip is great, too. This is Lamy, after all.

Writing wise, the Xevo uses the standard M16 ballpoint found across many Lamy models. It’s a great ballpoint, but you are mostly stuck with it. There is no Parker-style, or Pilot G2 compatibility - only Monteverde makes a matching refill, with a few more ballpoint ink colors than Lamy offers.

The medium black lines from this refill are dark and smooth, and there was no spidering or ink blobbing to speak of. It’s one of the “good ones” as far as ballpoint refill types go.

And the Xevo is one of the good ones as well. It surprised me for many reasons, primarily the quality for the price. It is in the Tipo category, and for my money, that’s a good place to be.

Now, when orange barrel, Lamy???

(I purchased this pen at Goldspot using a 10% off coupon code.)

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Posted on December 6, 2021 by Brad Dowdy and filed under Lamy, Ballpoint, Pen Reviews.

Lamy Safari Shiny White and Red Fountain Pen Giveaway Winner

The Lamy Safari Shiny White and Red is my favorite Lamy Safari - at least until the next Lamy Safari releases! I had one to give away this week, and the winner is: