---
title: "LAMY AL-star: Aluminium Body, Nibs & T10 Cartridges"
canonical: "https://stationerytimes.com/guides/lamy-al-star/"
description: "LAMY AL-star fountain pen explained: anodized aluminium body, 167.4 mm posted and 22 g, EF to B and LH steel nibs, T10 cartridges or Z28 converter, and origin."
category: "Pens"
type: "Fountain pen"
published: 2026-10-20
updated: 2026-10-20
author: "Ellis Penhale"
publisher: "Stationery Times"
sources: 10
products:
  - name: "LAMY AL-star Fountain Pen (graphite)"
    brand: "LAMY"
    brand_origin: "Germany"
    made_in: "Germany"
    material: "Anodized aluminium body and cap, translucent plastic grip, steel nib, metal clip"
    released: "1997"
    price_band: "$$$ ($20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count), typical US retail, October 2026)"
    manufacturer: "C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Heidelberg (part of Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.)"
    model: "AL-star"
    url: "https://www.lamy.com/de-de/p/lamy-al-star-fountain-pen/54395069759832"
---

# LAMY AL-star: Aluminium Body, Nibs & T10 Cartridges

> The LAMY AL-star is the aluminium version of the LAMY safari fountain pen. Goulet Pens lists it at 167.4 mm (6.6 in) posted and 22.0 g, with a 12.8 mm body. It has a steel nib in EF, F, M, B or left-handed (LH), takes LAMY T10 cartridges or a Z28 converter, and LAMY lists Germany as its origin.

- URL: https://stationerytimes.com/guides/lamy-al-star/
- Category: Pens
- Author: Ellis Penhale
- Published: 2026-10-20
- Updated: 2026-10-20

![Side view of a graphite LAMY AL-star fountain pen with the cap posted, drawn to scale: 167.4 mm (6.6 in) long, with the aluminium cap and barrel, metal clip, ink window, translucent grip and an inset of the steel nib, EF to B and LH](https://stationerytimes.com/images/raster/lamy-al-star-16x9.png)

*The AL-star in graphite, posted, to scale at Goulet Pens' 167.4 mm.* Original drawing (SVG): https://stationerytimes.com/images/lamy-al-star-cover.svg. Drawings © 2026 Stationery Times, reusable with credit under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

## Product facts

| Product | Brand | Brand origin | Made in | Material | Released | Price range (typical US retail, October 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LAMY AL-star Fountain Pen (graphite) | LAMY (by C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Heidelberg (part of Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.)) | Germany | Germany | Anodized aluminium body and cap, translucent plastic grip, steel nib, metal clip | 1997 | $$$: $20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count) |

- Made in (LAMY AL-star Fountain Pen (graphite)): Germany. LAMY's own AL-star listings (India storefront) give Germany as the country of origin and name C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Heidelberg, as the manufacturer; LAMY's German page names no country. One Swiss retailer, Galaxus, has listed China and Germany for one color (its page now blocks automated reading); we follow LAMY's own figure. Source: https://www.lamy.com/en-in/p/lamy-al-star-fountain-pen/45788342714554

## Key takeaways

- LAMY's German site lists the AL-star at 13 × 13 × 140 mm and 24 g; Goulet Pens gives 167.4 mm (6.6 in) posted and 22.0 g (12 g body, 10 g cap).
- Its body and cap are anodized aluminium, with a translucent plastic grip and a metal clip.
- LAMY sells 5 polished steel nib options, EF, F, M, B and LH for left-handers, and lists the pen at €29.50 (about US$33) in Germany.
- It takes LAMY T10 cartridges; Goulet lists 1.56 ml per cartridge and 1.08 ml in the Z28 converter.
- LAMY's own listing gives Germany as the country of origin, with C. Josef Lamy GmbH in Heidelberg as the manufacturer.

## What is the LAMY AL-star?

**The LAMY AL-star is the LAMY safari's design made in anodized aluminium instead of plastic.** Pen Hero dates it to 1997, and retailers credit the shared shape to Wolfgang Fabian, who designed the 1980 safari.

It sells steadily in the US. Goulet Pens' own best-seller roundup names the AL-star among the pens competing for the top spot in its mid price tier, next to the safari, the Pilot Metropolitan and the TWSBI ECO.

## LAMY AL-star specs

| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany |
| Body and cap | Anodized aluminium |
| Grip | Translucent plastic, molded finger flats |
| Article / EAN | 1225279 / 4014519252795 (LAMY Germany's default listing, black) |
| Nib | Polished steel, push-on: EF, F, M, B, LH |
| Ink | LAMY T10 cartridge or Z28 converter |
| Ink capacity (Goulet) | 1.56 ml cartridge, 1.08 ml converter |
| Length capped | 140 mm (5.5 in) per LAMY; 139.4 mm per Goulet |
| Length of body | About 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Length posted | 167.4 mm (6.6 in) |
| Diameter | 12.8 mm body; 14.8 mm cap, 19.5 mm with clip |
| Weight | 24 g (LAMY); 22.0 g (12 g body, 10 g cap) per Goulet |
| German list price | €29.50 (about US$33) |
| Made in | Germany (per LAMY) |

LAMY's German shop gives the size, weight, nibs, price and article number; Goulet Pens gives the body and posted lengths, diameters, part weights and capacity, and Pen Boutique also gives 140 mm capped. LAMY's India listing gives the origin.

![LAMY AL-star to scale: about 139.5 mm capped, about 130 mm body, 167.4 mm posted, 22.0 g](https://stationerytimes.com/images/lamy-al-star-lengths.svg)

*Posting the cap adds about 37 mm, so most hands write with it posted or not.*

## How is the AL-star different from the LAMY safari?

**The difference is the material: aluminium instead of plastic, which makes the AL-star about 5 g heavier on Goulet Pens' scale.** The nib, grip shape, ink window and T10 cartridge are shared.

| | LAMY AL-star | [LAMY safari](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/lamy-safari/) |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Anodized aluminium | Plastic (ASA, per LAMY) |
| Grip | Translucent plastic | Molded plastic |
| Capped | About 139 to 140 mm | 139.5 mm |
| Posted | 167.4 mm | 163.9 mm |
| Weight | 22.0 g (Goulet) | 17.0 g |
| Nibs | EF, F, M, B, LH | EF, F, M, B, LH |
| Price band | $$$ | $$$ |

Safari figures come from its guide. LAMY's German site lists the AL-star at 24 g; LAMY says the pen comes with one blue T10 cartridge. The metal body feels cooler and denser in the hand, and the anodized finish has a slight sheen rather than the safari's matt plastic.

## What ink does the LAMY AL-star use?

**It takes LAMY T10 cartridges, or bottled ink through a LAMY Z28 converter.** Standard international cartridges don't fit, so buy LAMY's own or a compatible T10 refill.

Goulet Pens lists a maximum of 1.56 ml with a cartridge and 1.08 ml with the converter. Our [LAMY Z28 converter](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/lamy-z28-converter/) guide uses Unsharpen's lower 0.8 ml, so treat the converter figure as approximate.


## Which LAMY AL-star nib should you choose?

**Choose EF or F for small handwriting and planners, and M or B for a wetter line on good paper.** LAMY uses German sizing, which runs wider than Japanese sizing, so an AL-star F writes closer to a Japanese M such as the [Pilot Custom 74](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/pilot-custom-74/)'s.

The LH nib is ground for left-handed writers. Because the nibs push on and off, you can swap one AL-star nib for another later.

## Is the LAMY AL-star a good first fountain pen?

**Yes, for writers who want a metal body without a gold-nib price.** It writes exactly like a safari, so the decision is about weight and finish.

If you want the lightest pen, the safari is 5 g lighter. For other starter options, see our [best fountain pens for beginners](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/best-fountain-pens-for-beginners/); the next step up in LAMY's range is the gold-nibbed [LAMY 2000](https://stationerytimes.com/guides/lamy-2000/).

## Where is the LAMY AL-star made?

**LAMY's own listing gives Germany as the country of origin, with C. Josef Lamy GmbH in Heidelberg as the manufacturer.** One Swiss retailer has listed China and Germany for one color, which we haven't seen confirmed elsewhere.

## How much does a LAMY AL-star cost?

**The AL-star is in our $$$ price band, $20–75 per pen.** That is from the US listings we checked in October 2026, such as Goulet Pens; it usually costs a little more than the safari. LAMY's German shop lists it at €29.50 (about US$33).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the difference between the LAMY AL-star and the LAMY safari?

They share the same design, nib and cartridges, but the AL-star's body and cap are anodized aluminium while the safari's are plastic (matt ASA, per LAMY). That makes the AL-star heavier: Goulet Pens lists 22.0 g against 17.0 g for the safari.

### What cartridges does the LAMY AL-star use?

LAMY T10 cartridges. Standard international cartridges don't fit; for bottled ink, use a LAMY Z28 converter, sold separately.

### How heavy is the LAMY AL-star?

LAMY's German site lists 24 g. Goulet Pens weighed 22.0 g in total: 12 g for the body and 10 g for the cap.

### How long is the LAMY AL-star?

LAMY's German site gives 140 mm (5.5 in) capped and Goulet Pens 139.4 mm; Goulet lists 167.4 mm (6.6 in) with the cap posted.

### What nib sizes does the LAMY AL-star come in?

LAMY lists EF, F, M, B and LH (a left-hander's nib). They are steel push-on nibs that also fit the safari, so you can swap them yourself.

### Is the LAMY AL-star good for left-handed writers?

LAMY sells it with an LH nib, ground for a left-handed angle. The T10 ink and the molded grip are the same as the right-handed version.

### Where is the LAMY AL-star made?

In Germany. LAMY's own listing gives Germany as the country of origin and C. Josef Lamy GmbH in Heidelberg as the manufacturer.

### When did the LAMY AL-star come out?

In 1997, according to Pen Hero. It is an aluminium follow-on to the 1980 LAMY safari designed by Wolfgang Fabian.

## Sources

- [LAMY (Germany): LAMY AL-star Füllhalter (fountain pen: €29.50, polished steel nib EF–B and LH, anodized aluminium, 13 × 13 × 140 mm, 24 g, article 1225279, EAN 4014519252795)](https://www.lamy.com/de-de/p/lamy-al-star-fountain-pen/54395069759832)
- [LAMY: LAMY AL-star fountain pen (country of origin, manufacturer, nib widths)](https://www.lamy.com/en-in/p/lamy-al-star-fountain-pen/45788342714554)
- [LAMY: LAMY AL-star fountain pen, white silver (nib widths)](https://lamy.com/en-de/p/lamy-al-star-fountain-pen/54395069759832)
- [Goulet Pens: LAMY AL-star fountain pen, graphite (139.4 mm capped, 167.4 mm posted, 22.0 g, diameters, ink capacity)](https://www.gouletpens.com/lamy-al-star-fountain-pen-graphite)
- [Goulet Pens: LAMY AL-star fountain pen, mint (cap diameters)](https://www.gouletpens.com/products/lamy-al-star-fountain-pen-mint-special-edition)
- [The Journal Shop: LAMY AL-star fountain pen (T10 cartridge, Z28 converter)](https://thejournalshop.com/products/lamy-al-star-fountain-pen)
- [Pen Hero: LAMY AL-star (1997)](https://www.penhero.com/PenGallery/Lamy/LamyAlStar.htm)
- [Pen Boutique blog, February 2018: LAMY AL-star (140 mm capped)](https://blog.penboutique.com/2018/02/)
- [Galaxus: LAMY AL-star (lists China and Germany for one color)](https://www.galaxus.ch/en/s12/product/lamy-al-star-1x-pens-56371561)
- [Goulet Pens: Best selling fountain pens at every price point](https://www.gouletpens.com/blogs/fountain-pen-blog/best-selling-fountain-pens-at-every-price-point)