Lamy pens are from Germany. They're not quite as sought-after in
North America as Pelikan and Mont Blanc, but they make rather good pens
for all levels of society. The Safari is their school pen, and
the Vista is a transparent version of that. Why transparent?
Once, when pen salesmen wandered the land, showing both merchants
and consumers the latest in pen innovation, this sort of thing was used
to show the guts-- rather like being able to lift the hood on a car to
show off the new bits on the engine. This earned the style of pen
the name "Demonstrator". However, in the case of the Vista, it's
more likely to just make a slightly cooler-looking pen.
The school pen signatures are all in place-- a cut-out in the body to
keep an eye on ink level (rather pointless in this model, but the molds
are the same as for the Safari), finger-locating "ergonomic" shaping of
the section, and a super-robust clip. The Sheaffer School
is an example of school pen made less to be robust, and more to be
easily replaced, while the Lamy gives the impression of being the last
identifiable thing left in the pocket of an accident victim. It
also has, unlike that Sheaffer counter-example, amazingly smooth points
which all reports indicate are extremely consistent in quality.
With the Lamy, at least, the quality of the writing is not
afflicted by the instrument. It is also possible to replace just
the point if it's damaged, although it's not quite as easy a prospect
as with an Esterbrook.
The only drawback to this pen in my view is a lack of flex in the
point. As this isn't really an attribute that goes well in a
school pen, I will overlook it-- it does write amazingly smoothly.
Specifications: Medium steel point. Cartridge (Lamy's own brand) or converter filled. 13.9cm long capped, 16.5cm posted.
Condition: Very light wear-- the tiniest flaws really show up on a clear body, catching the light as they do.
Repairs:
None to date.
Location: My collection.
For sale: They're still in production. I paid retail for mine, and I'd have to pass the lack of savings on to you. Seek one elsewhere.
Please use your browser's BACK button to return to the page you came from.
Website design
by Dirck de Lint, renaissance thug, with the great assistance
of 
