Few pen brands have achieved the cultural status of LAMY. With a design philosophy rooted in Bauhaus principles and a product range that spans entry-level to premium, LAMY has introduced more people to fountain pens than almost any other brand in the world. Here's everything you need to know.
The History of LAMY
LAMY was founded in 1930 by Josef Lamy in Heidelberg, Germany, after he left the Parker Pen Company where he had worked as a sales representative. The company began producing its own pens in the 1950s and quickly established a reputation for functional, well-engineered writing instruments.
The real turning point came in 1966 with the launch of the LAMY 2000 - a pen so ahead of its time that it remains in production today, virtually unchanged. Designed by Gerd A. Müller, the 2000 embodied the Bauhaus ideal of form following function, with a hooded nib, piston filling system, and a body made from Makrolon polycarbonate resin.
Today, LAMY is one of Germany's most successful pen manufacturers, exporting to over 100 countries and producing millions of pens each year from their Heidelberg factory.
The LAMY Design Philosophy
LAMY pens are defined by their commitment to functional design. Every pen in the range is designed to be ergonomic, reliable, and visually distinctive. LAMY works with leading industrial designers and releases annual special edition colours, particularly for the Safari and AL-Star which have become collector's items in their own right.
The LAMY Range
The LAMY Safari is the world's most popular fountain pen. Launched in 1980 and designed by Wolfgang Fabian, it features a distinctive triangular grip section, a robust ABS plastic body, and LAMY's iconic snap-on nib system. Available in a huge range of colours and nib widths from Extra Fine to Broad, plus a 1.1mm stub, the Safari is the perfect first fountain pen and a firm favourite among experienced writers too. The current special edition Neon is a standout for those who love a bolder colour statement. See our guide to changing a LAMY nib for tips on swapping nib widths.
The AL-Star is the aluminium sibling of the Safari, sharing the same ergonomic design but with a lightweight anodised aluminium body that gives it a more premium feel. It's available in a rotating selection of colours and is particularly popular as a step-up from the Safari.
The Vista is the demonstrator version of the Safari, made from clear transparent plastic so you can see the ink level and cartridge inside. A favourite among ink enthusiasts who love to show off their ink colours.
The Studio is LAMY's mid-range offering, with a slimmer, more elegant profile and a propeller-shaped clip that doubles as a nib stabiliser. Available in a range of metallic and lacquered finishes, the Studio bridges the gap between the casual Safari and the premium 2000. The Studio in Imperial Blue is a particular favourite for everyday elegance.
The LAMY 2000 is the flagship, a design icon that has been in continuous production since 1966. With its hooded 14-carat gold nib, piston filling system, and Makrolon body with brushed stainless steel trim, the 2000 is one of the finest fountain pens available at its price point. The LAMY 2000 in Black remains the definitive choice -- a pen for life. It uses bottled ink only -- see our guide to filling a fountain pen for instructions.
LAMY Inks
LAMY produce a range of bottled inks and cartridges to complement their pens. Their inks are well-behaved, fast-drying, and available in a good range of colours. LAMY uses a proprietary cartridge system, so only LAMY cartridges or the LAMY Z28 converter will fit their pens. See our cartridge and converter fitting guide for more detail.
Browse the full LAMY range at Pure Pens.
Which LAMY Pen is Right for You?
- First fountain pen: LAMY Safari - reliable, affordable, and available in dozens of colours. See our first fountain pen guide.
- Step up from the Safari: LAMY AL-Star or LAMY Studio.
- Ink enthusiast: LAMY Vista demonstrator.
- Premium everyday writer: LAMY 2000 - a pen for life.
Shop LAMY at Pure Pens
We stock the full LAMY range at Pure Pens, including fountain pens, ballpoints, rollerballs, inks, and accessories. If you need help choosing the right LAMY pen, get in touch we're always happy to help.