LAMY Safari vs The Carousel: Best Beginner Fountain Pen?

Looking for your first fountain pen but can’t decide between the LAMY Safari and the Ferris Wheel Press The Carousel? Let’s compare two of the most popular affordable fountain pens and see which one deserves a spot on your desk.

Looking for a beginner fountain pen?

There are plenty of excellent entry-level fountain pens available today, but two models come up again and again: the LAMY Safari and Ferris Wheel Press The Carousel.

Both are colorful, lightweight, and affordable. They’re easy enough for complete beginners while still being enjoyable for experienced fountain pen users who simply want something fun for everyday writing.

So which one should you choose? Which works better for smaller hands, younger writers, or someone buying their very first fountain pen?

Let’s take a closer look.

Meet the Pens

LAMY Safari

The LAMY Safari has been a beginner favorite for decades. It’s widely available, reasonably priced, and comes in an endless selection of colors—including limited editions released almost every year.

Despite its plastic construction, it’s a remarkably durable pen that can easily last for years.

Specifications

Available nib sizes: EF, F, M, B, left-handed nib, calligraphy nibs

Ferris Wheel Press The Carousel

The Carousel is a much newer addition to the fountain pen world, but it quickly became one of my favorite budget-friendly options.

Like the Safari, it’s lightweight, colorful, and made from plastic—but it comes with a few pleasant surprises.

Specifications

Available nib sizes: F, M
Extra: included standard piston converter

LAMY Safari vs The Carousel: The Biggest Differences

The biggest advantage of the LAMY Safari is its interchangeable nib system.

You can swap nibs in seconds and choose everything from an extra-fine writing experience to broad or calligraphy nibs. If you enjoy experimenting with different line widths, Safari gives you plenty of options.

The Carousel takes a different approach. The nib isn’t designed to be replaced, so you’re limited to Fine or Medium.

On the other hand, Ferris Wheel Press includes a converter in the box and uses standard international cartridges.

That’s a surprisingly big advantage.

With the Safari you’ll either need proprietary LAMY cartridges or you’ll have to purchase a converter separately, which increases the overall cost.

Price Comparison

This is where The Carousel really shines.

At the time of writing:

Once you add the converter, the Safari can cost almost twice as much.

Similarities

Despite their differences, these pens have a lot in common!

Both feature:

• plastic bodies
• stainless steel nibs
• plenty of available colors
• beginner-friendly designs
• semi-premium Aluminum variant
• comfortable everyday writing experience

Interestingly, both collections also include officially licensed Harry Potter house colors, making them especially appealing to fans looking for themed stationery.

Writing Performance

On paper, the nib sizes tell one story.

In real life, it’s a completely different experience.

My writing samples show that the Fine nib on The Carousel actually produces the thinnest line, while the difference between LAMY Fine and Medium is surprisingly small.

This mostly comes down to LAMY’s fairly generous manufacturing tolerance, where an F nib can sometimes feel closer to an M and vice versa.

It’s something worth keeping in mind if you prefer very fine handwriting.

Which Fountain Pen Should You Buy?

At first glance, these two pens have a lot in common. They’re lightweight, colorful, beginner-friendly, and surprisingly affordable. Either one could be an excellent introduction to the world of fountain pens.

After spending plenty of time writing with both, though, a few clear differences started to stand out. One focuses on versatility and customization, while the other wins with simplicity, convenience, and outstanding value for money.

So, which one deserves a place in your stationery collection?

Final Thoughts

I’ll admit it—I own quite a few LAMY Safari and AL-star pens, and for years they were my everyday companions.

But recently I’ve been reaching for The Carousel much more often.

The included converter makes getting started effortless, the pen is incredibly lightweight, and I don’t have to spend extra time figuring out which converter I need.

If you’re looking for a colorful, affordable, beginner-friendly fountain pen that won’t stretch your budget, Ferris Wheel Press The Carousel is my current recommendation.

It’s simple, comfortable, and surprisingly capable.

However, if you know you’ll be experimenting with different nib sizes or exploring calligraphy, the LAMY Safari remains one of the best entry-level fountain pens ever made.