For over forty years, the Lamy Safari ($30–35) has had one polarizing flaw: its rigid triangular grip forces every writer to hold the pen at the exact same angle. Enter the Sailor TUZU Adjust ($35–45)—a clever Japanese starter pen with a 360° rotating grip that adapts to your hand instead of forcing your hand to adapt to the pen, plus an included converter in the box.
Quick Verdict: Sailor TUZU Adjust vs Lamy Safari
Top Picks Compared
Sailor TUZU Adjust Fountain Pen
Sailor TUZU Adjust Fountain Pen · Typical: $35-45
Best if: Rotates in 10° steps to match left-handed, rotated, or non-standard grips. Ships with a Sailor converter + 2 ink cartridges included.
Setup note: Higher sticker price ($35–45), though the included converter closes the real cost gap with Lamy.
Lamy Safari Umbra (Fine)
Lamy Safari Umbra Fine · Typical: $30-35
Best if: Legendary ABS durability, spring-loaded pocket clip, and 10-second swappable steel nibs—ideal if you already use a standard tripod grip.
Setup note: Includes 1 blue cartridge only; add Lamy T10 cartridges or a Z28 converter below for longer use.
Kaweco Perkeo All Black (Fine)
Kaweco Perkeo All Black Fountain Pen · Typical: $17-20
Best if: German starter pen with a much softer, rounder ergonomic grip than the Lamy Safari at half the price, using standard international cartridges.
Setup note: Lightweight plastic build; converter sold separately.
Best Companion Ink: Waterman Serenity Blue (50ml Bottle)
Since the Sailor TUZU Adjust includes a converter right in the box, pairing it with a bottle of Waterman Serenity Blue unlocks months of smooth, fast-drying writing.
Buying the Lamy Safari instead? Grab a 5-pack of Lamy T10 Cartridges ($5) or the Lamy Z28 Converter since the Safari does not include a converter.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Sailor TUZU Adjust vs Lamy Safari
| Feature | Sailor TUZU Adjust | Lamy Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Typical US Price | $35–45 | $30–35 |
| Grip Ergonomics | 360° Rotating grip (adjusts in 10° steps to match any hand angle) | Fixed triangular grip (forces a single standard tripod finger placement) |
| Converter Included? | Yes — Sailor converter + 2 black cartridges included in box | No — includes 1 Lamy T10 blue cartridge (Lamy Z28 converter sold separately) |
| Nib Feel & Line Width | Japanese Fine / Medium with subtle, controlled Sailor pencil-like feedback | Western steel nib (broader line, firmer glide, swappable in seconds) |
| Body Material | Recycled PC resin with wide, gentle concave finger indents | Tough injection-molded ABS plastic with brass wire clip and ink window |
| Best For | Left-handers, side-writers, and anyone who finds the Safari grip uncomfortable | Standard tripod-grip writers who want rugged durability and easy nib swaps |
1. The Triangle Grip Problem: Fixed vs 360° Adjustable
Why do so many Reddit threads ask for a "Lamy Safari alternative"? Because a fountain pen nib only writes smoothly when both tines touch the paper evenly.
- How the Lamy Safari handles it: The Lamy Safari molds two deep, sharp facets into the grip section. If your thumb and index finger naturally sit where Lamy wants them, it feels effortless. If you roll your fingers, write left-handed, or use a four-finger grip, your fingers rest painfully on the sharp plastic ridges—or the nib hits the paper sideways and feels scratchy.
- How the Sailor TUZU Adjust fixes it: On the Sailor TUZU Adjust, the two wide finger indents unlock and rotate a full 360 degrees in 10-degree clicks. You hold the grip however your hand feels most relaxed, rotate the nib until it sits flat on the page, and lock the collar.
2. True Box Value: The Converter Cost
At first glance, the Lamy Safari ($30–35) looks cheaper than the Sailor TUZU Adjust ($35–45). However:
- The Sailor TUZU Adjust includes a Sailor ink converter (worth ~$8) AND two ink cartridges inside the box.
- The Lamy Safari ships with a single blue cartridge and no converter. Once you add a Lamy Z28 Converter ($6–8), both pens cost virtually the exact same amount.
3. Nib Character: Japanese Precision vs German Utility
Even though Sailor is famous for the pronounced pencil-like feedback on its 14K and 21K gold nibs, the steel nib on the Sailor TUZU Adjust is tuned to be much friendlier for everyday beginners—smooth with just a whisper of tactile control so your hand doesn't skate uncontrollably on slick paper. And because it uses Japanese sizing, a TUZU Fine writes noticeably crisper and narrower on cheap paper than a Lamy Safari Fine.
Where the Lamy Safari still wins is nib swapping: you can pull off a Lamy nib with a piece of tape and slide on an Extra Fine, Medium, Broad, or 1.1mm Stub nib in ten seconds without draining the ink.
Sailor TUZU Adjust
$35–45 · Converter + 2 Cartridges Included
Buy this if the Lamy Safari grip bothers your fingers, if you are left-handed, or if you want a complete Japanese pen + converter package out of the box.
Lamy Safari Umbra Fine
$30–35 · 1 Cartridge Included
Buy this if you hold pens with a standard tripod grip and want tough ABS construction with easy 10-second nib swaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Sailor TUZU Adjust or the Lamy Safari?
If you rotate your wrist, write left-handed, or dislike being forced into a strict triangular grip, buy the Sailor TUZU Adjust ($35–45). It lets you rotate the nib and grip section in 10-degree increments and includes a converter in the box. If you already use a textbook three-finger tripod grip and want a nearly indestructible pen with easily swappable nibs, buy the Lamy Safari ($30–35).
How does the Sailor TUZU Adjust rotating grip actually work?
You loosen the locking collar between the grip section and the barrel, rotate the two gentle finger indents to the exact angle where your thumb and index finger naturally rest while keeping the nib flat on the paper, and tighten the collar back down. It adjusts in 36 steps (10° increments).
Does the Sailor TUZU Adjust include a converter?
Yes! Unlike the Lamy Safari (which requires buying a $6–8 Lamy Z28 converter separately), the Sailor TUZU Adjust ships with both two Sailor black ink cartridges and a Sailor ink converter right in the box.
Is there a cheaper ergonomic alternative if $35–45 feels too steep?
Yes. The Pilot Kakuno ($10–15) and Kaweco Perkeo ($17–20) both use much softer, gentler faceted grips than the Lamy Safari at roughly half the price, though neither rotates like the Sailor TUZU.