Lamy Safari

Safari
Manufacturer:	Lamy
Type:	Fountain Pen, Ballpoint Pen, Rollerball, Mechanical Pencil
Refill :
Made in :	Germany

The Safari is a noted design by Wolfgang Fabian and Bernt Spiegel of the Entwicklungsgruppe Mannheim which remains in production from 1980. The Safari and the derived AL-star and Vista lines are intended for students and young writers, featuring a non-round grip section optimised to be held with a 'tripod pen grip'. The Safari receives a new limited edition colour every year, usually with a matching bottle of ink.

Different Generations of the Lamy Safari

First generation

Launched in 1980, these were available in a textured finish with three colour options: Terracotta orange, Savannah green, and Charcoal black. The easiest way to identify the pen is by the lack of an imprint at the bottom of the barrel. Another minor detail that differentiates it from future generations is the hexagonal cap nut; the flat edges can be observed if one shines a light into the cap. The pen was designed for cartridges or the old-style metal squeeze bar converter, so there are only two wide slots at the threaded end of the section. The old-style converters were likely included with the pen in some markets and sold separately in others.

Second generation

These appeared sometime in the mid-1980s. The "W. Germany" imprint was added to the bottom of the barrel. The inner cap was redesigned (as the early material deteriorated quite easily) and the cap nut was altered to a round shape. Further colours were added, including white, red, yellow, and blue. Most of these colours were only offered with a smooth texture. The charcoal remained textured, whilst the white was produced in both textured and smooth variants. Rumours exist of a smooth charcoal model, though it remains largely unverified. The Terracotta and Savannah models were discontinued.

Third generation

These emerged around 1990 or 1991. Two primary changes occurred in this iteration: the barrel imprint was updated to "Germany" following reunification, and additional slots were added to the section to accept the snaps on the plastic piston converter. Colours remained largely consistent with the previous generation, though the textured white disappeared and the first demonstrator model was introduced. The demonstrator might be considered the first "LE" (Limited Edition) Safari. Around the mid-1990s, they were sold in select markets, though it is unclear if they ever appeared as a regular catalogue item.

Fourth generation

This significant revision occurred in the mid-to-late 1990s. The clip, nib, and feed remained identical, but all other components were redesigned. The Lamy logo and nib size were added to the nib via laser-etching. The barrel was transitioned from a single part to two. The cap and cap ring were amalgamated into one piece. The cap assembly was redesigned to snap together, effectively eliminating the machined top screw and cap nut. It is highly probable this redesign was executed as a cost-saving measure; the retail price of these pens has changed very little in nearly 30 years, and this redesign allowed Lamy to lower manufacturing costs. The total number of parts was reduced from 14 to 11, eliminating two costly machined parts without compromising the aesthetic or qualitative integrity of the pen. The original white pen was retired, a textured grey was introduced, and numerous LE colours subsequently followed. The demonstrator existed in this generation as well, though it was phased out upon the introduction of the Vista. This generation is designed to function alongside the Z28 converter.

Special Editions

2004 Orange (Flame)

Orange body and red clip.

2006 French Blue (Sky Blue)

2006 Sky Blue

Light blue body and red clip. Also sometimes referred to as "smurf blue".

2007 Black

Black body with chrome clip and silver nib.

2007 White

White body with grey ring, chrome clip and silver nib.

2007/2008 Blue (Sweden Edition)

Blue body with yellow clip.

2008 Lime Green (Black Cross)

Lime green body with black cross on the cap.

2009 Orange

Orange body and chrome clip.

2009 Pink (Pink Dot)

Pink body with chrome clip and silver nib. Pink dot on the cap.

2010 White (Japan only)

White body with red clip and red dot on the cap.

???? White Body, Red Clip (East Asia only)

White body with red clip and grey cross on the cap. Only available in select Lamy stores in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan.

2010 30 Years Lamy Safari (Japan only)

White body with red clip. Two versions were available: a premium edition with a pen case, numbered (1000 pieces released) with "30 Year LAMY Safari xxxx/1000" on the barrel, and a standard version featuring a plain white shiny barrel.

2011 Pink (Pink Cross)

Pink body and chrome clip. Pink cross on the cap.

2011 Aquamarine

Light blue body with chrome clip and silver nib.

2011 Lime Green (Lime Cross)

Lime green body with lime cross on the cap.

2011 150 Jahre Freundschaft

Black body with yellow clip and red dot on the cap. Produced to commemorate 150 years of friendship between Germany and Japan.

2012 Apple Green

Apple green body with chrome clip, silver nib, and matching green cross on the cap.

2012 Red (China Edition)

Red body with yellow clip and yellow cross on cap.

2012 Eslite

Produced for the Taiwanese bookstore Eslite. Available in three variants: Matte black, red, and yellow. All feature a red clip.

2013 Neon Yellow

Neon yellow body with chrome clip and silver nib.

2014 Neon Coral

Neon pink body with chrome clip and silver nib. Available as a fountain pen, rollerball, and ballpoint pen.

2015 Neon Lime

Neon yellow body with chrome clip and silver nib.

2015 Line Friends

2015 Line Friends

Matte brown body with black clip and various Line Friends clip-ons.

2016 Dark Lilac

Dark lilac body with black clip and black nib.

2017 Petrol

2017 Petrol

Matte petrol (blue/green/grey) body with black clip.

2017 Lamy x Laimo

Cooperation with Japanese artist Laimo. There are two versions: Black with white Laimo writing on cap and White with black Laimo writing on cap.

2017 Pirates of the Caribbean

Similar to the Petrol edition, but includes a skull on the clip, a pen roll, and a presentation box.

2018 All Black

Comes with an all-matte black body, black clip, and black nib.

2018 Lamy x Line Friends Umbra

A Lamy Safari in black (matte finish) with the Line character’s name BROWN embossed on the cap. Packaged in an aluminium tube.

2018 Minions

A yellow Lamy Safari housed in a Minion-themed tin. Includes a converter, one ink cartridge, and four distinct clip add-ons.

2018 Pokémon Pikachu

A yellow Lamy Safari with a red clip and Pikachu's tail printed on the cap. Comes with two Pikachu clip-ons, a Poké Ball pen holder, a Poké Ball-inspired box, and a yellow pencil case.

2019 Lamy Safari Pastel Colours

A series of three pens in pastel colours: light blue, mint, and rose. Clips and rings match the body colour.

2019 Independence Day (USA only)

Blue barrel, black ring, white cap, red clip.

2020 Vista katakana (Japan only)

A Vista with the name Lamy written in katakana on one of the flat panels of the pen body. On the opposing panel, Lamy is written in the Latin alphabet. Retailed exclusively at a specific chain shop in Japan.

2020 Lamy Candy Colours

A series of three pens in pastel colours: Mango, Violet, and Aquamarine. Clips and rings match the respective bodies.

2021 Lamy Original Colours

Savannah Green and Terracotta Red, representing re-releases of the original colours. Available as a fountain pen (F and M), ballpoint pen, and rollerball pen.

2021 Limited edition "patterns"

A Japan-only model that leverages advanced laser technology for the body of a Safari fountain pen. Available in white, pastel blue, pastel green, and pastel red. Offered with a choice of Heart, Dot, and Stripe patterns or three distinct animal patterns.

2022 Strawberry and Cream

Strawberry red and Cream (off-white). All structural components of the pens are in either strawberry red or cream white, featuring a matte body.

2022 White Aquamarine Mango Violet

Available in Japan. The aquamarine Safari features a red clip and ring, the white Safari features an aquamarine clip and ring, the mango-coloured Safari features a purple clip and ring, and the purple Safari features a yellow clip and ring.

2023 Radiant Pastel Colours

A series of three pens in pastel colours: Aqua Sky, Spring Green, and Light Rose. The clip, ring, and cross cap perfectly match the body colour. Similar to the 2019 Pastel Colours series but featuring a more vivid, saturated tone.

2024 Pink Cliff and Violet Blackberry

Pink Cliff features a matte soft navy blue body with a contrasting magenta pink grip. The clip, ring, and nib are black, with a cross cap matching the grip colour.
Violet Blackberry features a shiny deep berry-coloured body with a contrasting bright purple grip. The clip, ring, and nib are black, with a cross cap matching the grip colour.

2024 Summer Special Colours

A series of two pens: Pina Colada and Cherry Blossom.
Pina Colada features a mint blue body with a contrasting yellow grip. The clip, ring, and cross cap match the grip. Silver nib.
Cherry Blossom features a light pink body with a contrasting red grip. The clip, ring, and cross cap match the grip. Silver nib.

Table of Special Editions after 2021

Note: Whether Lamy has introduced the identical special edition colour for other product lines (e.g., Safari Rollerball, Safari Ballpoint), in addition to fountain pens, is primarily based on data sourced from this JetPens® blog.

List of Years, Editions, and Colour Combinations

Year	Name	Finish	Body	Cap	Grip	Clip	Top Style	Top Colour	Ring	Nib	Note	Rollerball	Ballpoint	Calligraphy	Mech. Pencil	Ink
2021	Terra Red	Matte	Terracotta	Terracotta	Terracotta	Black	Cross	Black	Black	Black	"Original"	✓	✓	✗	✗	✗
2021	Savannah	Matte	Fern Green	Fern Green	Fern Green	Black	Cross	Black	Black	Black	"Original"	✓	✓	✗	✗	✗
2021	Japan Exclusive	Gloss	White	White	White	Aquamarine	Cross	Aquamarine	Aquamarine	Silver	White w/ Green Clip	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
2021	Japan Exclusive	Matte	Mango	Mango	Mango	Violet	Cross	Violet	Violet	Silver	Yellow w/ Purple Clip	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
2021	Japan Exclusive	Matte	Violet	Violet	Violet	Mango	Cross	Mango	Mango	Silver	Purple w/ Yellow Clip	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
2021	Japan Exclusive	Matte	Aquamarine	Aquamarine	Aquamarine	Red	Dot	Red	Red	Silver	Green w/ Red Clip	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
2021	Breast Cancer Awareness	Gloss	White	White	White	Red	Dot	Red	Red	Silver	White w/ Red Clip	✓	✓	✗	✓	✗
2022	Cream	Matte	Cream White	Cream White	Cream White	Cream White	Cross	Black	Cream White	Silver	"Cozy"	✓	✓	✗	✗	✗
2022	Strawberry	Matte	Scarlet	Scarlet	Scarlet	Scarlet	Cross	Scarlet	Scarlet	Silver	"Cozy"	✓	✓	✗	✗	✗
2022	Vista - Black	Gloss	Clear	Clear	Clear	Black	Cross	Black	Black	Black	GouletPen Store Edition	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
2022	North America Exclusive	Gloss	Blue	Blue	Blue	Red	Cross	Black	Black	Black	Blue w/ Red Clip	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
2022	North America Exclusive	Gloss	White	White	White	White	Cross	Black	Black	Black	White w/ Black Clip	✗	✗	✗	✗	✗
2023	Aqua Sky	Gloss	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Cross	Sky Blue	Sky Blue	Silver	"Radiant Pastel"	✓	✓	✗	✗	✗
2023	Spring Green	Gloss	Spring Green	Spring Green	Spring Green	Spring Green	Cross	Spring Green	Spring Green	Silver	"Radiant Pastel"	✓	✓	✗	✗	✗
2023	Light Rose	Gloss	Light Pink	Light Pink	Light Pink	Light Pink	Cross	Light Pink	Light Pink	Silver	"Radiant Pastel"	✓	✓	✗	✗	✗
2024	Pink Cliff	Matte	Soft Navy Blue	Soft Navy Blue	Magenta Pink	Black	Cross	Magenta Pink	Black	Black	Annual Special Edition	✓	✓	✗	✗	T52
2024	Violet Blackberry	Gloss	Eggplant	Eggplant	Violet	Black	Cross	Violet	Black	Black	Annual Special Edition	✓	✓	✗	✓	T52
2024	Pina Colada	Gloss	Mint Blue	Mint Blue	Yellow	Yellow	Cross	Yellow	Yellow	Silver	2024 Summer Special	✓	✓	✗	✓	✗
2024	Cherry Blossom	Gloss	Light Pink	Light Pink	Red	Red	Cross	Red	Red	Silver	2024 Summer Special	✓	✓	✗	✓	✗