While the focus of this blog is economical selections, one must remember that value comes with getting the most out of your purchases. This is the Lamy Safari fountain pen fitted with a Lamy 1.1mm calligraphy nib, available on Jetpens. The main thing to keep in mind when spending $26 for a pen and $10 for a replacement nib is the value over time. Lamy guarantees their pens for the life of the pen, and they have been around for spell, so they know how to make a quality product. The pen itself is made of ABS plastic, and there is little concern for dropping it or carrying it with you in your pocket. This pen will last you, and there are dozens of reviews out there if you want to learn more about this pen. I chose the color charcoal, which is like a matte black, and the nib that came with it was an extra fine. If you want to dip your toes in the world of fountain pens, I'd say this is a good place to start. If you want to do it even cheaper, you could try a Platinum Preppy, which will be a later review.
The ink shown above is Noodler's La Couleur Royale - a rich, vibrant, deep purple - which has some bluish tones to it. The ink flows extremely well, and there is no feathering to speak of. Some credit must be given to the paper - my Rhodia Reverse Book, with 80 gsm graph paper. Some people do not like the grips on the Lamy Safari because of the triangular shape, which is meant to help position your fingers for a more ergonomic writing form, but I do not mind it. If you like trying new inks, or if you are a purple fan, then this Noodler's ink is a great buy. You will need to get a converter or learn to fill your empty cartridges if you want to try this ink in a Lamy Safari, but another option for you would be to get a pen that has a built-in ink system, such as a piston filler. Some pens, such as the Platinum Preppy, will allow you to convert them to an eyedropper, and there are many tutorial out there to do this, such as this article on Jetpens. But if you have any questions, please let me know, and I will be glad to help.