Written by: Jin Fujisaki / Published: 2026-02-10
Do your hands tire quickly when writing with a ballpoint pen, or does your handwriting get messy? It might be because you're unconsciously pressing down too hard. Ballpoint pens require a certain amount of force to transfer ink onto paper.
Fountain pens, on the other hand, use "capillary action" to release ink the moment the nib touches the paper. In other words, you don't need to apply any pressure at all. Because you can write as if you're stroking the paper, your hand won't get tired even after long writing sessions. The "Safari," made by the German company LAMY, is the world's best-selling fountain pen, and it lets anyone effortlessly experience that pleasure.
| A shape designed to teach children the "correct grip"
image LAMY
The Safari's most distinctive feature is its triangular indented grip section. This isn't just a design choice. By simply fitting your thumb, index finger, and middle finger into the indentations, anyone naturally falls into the "correct pen grip."
Its origins lie in an educational model originally developed for German elementary school students learning to write properly. Even adults with awkward grip habits will find their hold corrected the moment they pick up a Safari. Unnecessary tension drains away, and you can let the pen glide across the page in a relaxed manner. This is why it feels so good to write with.
| Just like LEGO bricks. A tough ABS resin body
image LAMY
When you think of fountain pens, you might picture delicate luxury items with black barrels and gold nibs that shatter if dropped. The Safari is different. Its body is made from "ABS resin"—the same material used in LEGO bricks and PC casings.
It's lightweight and incredibly durable. Drop it off your desk by accident, even step on it, and it won't break easily. There's no need to store it in a paulownia wood box like a high-end fountain pen—you can toss it into your pen case or, true to its name, take it out on safari (into the great outdoors) without a second thought.
| A giant clip that fits onto your jeans pocket
image LAMY
Another iconic feature is the oversized wire clip on the cap. While the clips on most pens can snap when forced onto thick fabric, the Safari's clip flexes like a spring.
It grips firmly onto denim pockets, the cover of a thick notebook, or even a canvas tote bag. Thanks to this clip, you can always carry it with you. Safari's real achievement is transforming "writing" from a special ritual confined to the desk into something you can take with you into every part of daily life.
| Easy ink swaps. Just pop in a cartridge
image LAMY
Worried that refilling ink sounds like a hassle? No need. With the Safari, you simply click a dedicated ink cartridge into the back of the pen. It's no different from swapping out a ballpoint refill.
Once you're comfortable, you can also use a separately sold converter (a built-in ink reservoir) to draw your favorite color from a bottle of ink. Blue-black, turquoise, seasonal limited editions—a world of hundreds of ink colors awaits. "What color should I write with today?" Even that little dilemma becomes a joy. Welcome to the rabbit hole of fountain pens.
| Summary: 4,000 yen can change your writing habits
image LAMY
The list price runs around 4,000 to 5,000 yen (parallel imports can sometimes be a bit cheaper). It's expensive compared to a 100-yen ballpoint, but as fountain pens go, it's an unbeatable entry-level model.
We modern types spend so much time on keyboards and smartphone flick input that we've forgotten how to write kanji. Pick up a Safari, and somehow the urge to "take handwritten notes" or "start a journal" begins to bubble up. It's a magic wand that makes you fall in love with your own handwriting. Start with the classic yellow, or the cool charcoal black—give one a try.
