Caran d'Ache 849 vs Lamy AL-star

With that being said: In the last two weeks, I have ordered three of these pens, all stating that they are blue pens with blue ink. While the external color of the pens have all been blue, EVERY one of them has arrived with black ink cartridges. Please, either fix your item's description or send the item with the right colored ink cartridge. I am tired of returning these, so I will keep this last one and will eventually replace the ink cartridge myself

I tried out the one in the store and immediately fell in love with how that medium nib Al-Star model behave when I pressed down on the trial paper pad. I bought that one in gold color for $47 in store plus sales tax. After expensed a box of the cartridge ink in a few days and piles of ink filled paper I practiced on, I found that the design with the two flat holding areas really let me write without causing discomfort in my hand and on my finger tips. I wanted to try one with fine nib, and at the cost of $27 for this purchase I was sold

Caran D'Ache 849 is a reasonable alternative as well when found on sale. Good price here - [Caran D'Ache

We're looking here at a surprisingly cheap ($27 in November 2017) Lamy Al-Star. This is a good price for an Al-Star, which usually start around $32. I suspect the cheaper price is due to the rather unremarkable color.

The Caran D'Ache 849 are a superb/excellent pen so buy another color and you will love it. These shiny metalic colors are to slipper to hold on to. This brand of pens is one of the best, along with the Fisher Space Pen. It's just the metal-shiny colors are slippery

The Lamy Al- Star and Safari have a triangular grip, and for those who do not wish their pen to tell them how to grip it, might be a problem, especially left handed people. Also , the Aluminum body is more prone to dents and scratches than the matte finished plastic ones, even though the price and construction materials might suggest otherwise.