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.
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Product facts
- Product
- 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 range
- $$$$20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Notes on these facts
- Made by C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Heidelberg (part of Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.). Made in 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. Price: example listing. Released: Pen Hero dates the AL-star to 1997. Retailers credit the shared safari design to Wolfgang Fabian, whose safari dates from 1980.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026. Conversions to US dollars are approximate, at October 2026 rates (US$1 = ¥158 = ₩1,330 = NT$32.5 = CN¥6.7 = SEK 9.9 = DKK 6.7 = ₺49.6 = C$1.41 = A$1.43; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
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.
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 | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $$$ | $$$ |
Safari figures come from its guide. LAMY’s German site lists the AL-star at 24 g; LAMY says the pen comes with one blue T10 cartridge. The metal body feels cooler and denser in the hand, and the anodized finish has a slight sheen rather than the safari’s matt plastic.
What ink does the LAMY AL-star use?
It takes LAMY T10 cartridges, or bottled ink through a LAMY Z28 converter. Standard international cartridges don’t fit, so buy LAMY’s own or a compatible T10 refill.
Goulet Pens lists a maximum of 1.56 ml with a cartridge and 1.08 ml with the converter. Our LAMY Z28 converter guide uses Unsharpen’s lower 0.8 ml, so treat the converter figure as approximate.
Which LAMY AL-star nib should you choose?
Choose EF or F for small handwriting and planners, and M or B for a wetter line on good paper. LAMY uses German sizing, which runs wider than Japanese sizing, so an AL-star F writes closer to a Japanese M such as the Pilot Custom 74’s.
The LH nib is ground for left-handed writers. Because the nibs push on and off, you can swap one AL-star nib for another later.
Is the LAMY AL-star a good first fountain pen?
Yes, for writers who want a metal body without a gold-nib price. It writes exactly like a safari, so the decision is about weight and finish.
If you want the lightest pen, the safari is 5 g lighter. For other starter options, see our best fountain pens for beginners; the next step up in LAMY’s range is the gold-nibbed LAMY 2000.
Where is the LAMY AL-star made?
LAMY’s own listing gives Germany as the country of origin, with C. Josef Lamy GmbH in Heidelberg as the manufacturer. One Swiss retailer has listed China and Germany for one color, which we haven’t seen confirmed elsewhere.
How much does a LAMY AL-star cost?
The AL-star is in our $$$ 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)
- LAMY: LAMY AL-star fountain pen (country of origin, manufacturer, nib widths)
- LAMY: LAMY AL-star fountain pen, white silver (nib widths)
- Goulet Pens: LAMY AL-star fountain pen, graphite (139.4 mm capped, 167.4 mm posted, 22.0 g, diameters, ink capacity)
- Goulet Pens: LAMY AL-star fountain pen, mint (cap diameters)
- The Journal Shop: LAMY AL-star fountain pen (T10 cartridge, Z28 converter)
- Pen Hero: LAMY AL-star (1997)
- Pen Boutique blog, February 2018: LAMY AL-star (140 mm capped)
- Galaxus: LAMY AL-star (lists China and Germany for one color)
- Goulet Pens: Best selling fountain pens at every price point