Pen Review: Lamy Studio Wild Rubin 14k (Special Edition)
About 3 months into my pen habit there was still a notable absence of Lamy fountain pens in my collection. This terrible omission was rectified when I came into possession of a Lamy Studio. This is the special edition Wild Rubin released in late 2014. I bought this pen from Goulet Pens. It's no longer available at GPC but there is limited stock available in the wild still. Get this pen while you can if you fancy the colour. The normal versions are available in black, imperial blue, palladium and stainless steel finishes.
Before I got into Lamy pens I had read all sorts of crazy stories about how the value of Lamy SE’s (especially the Safaris) pens go up in value once their production ends. This was quite interesting but I wasn't too obsessed about getting pens just to collect then sell. My goal was (and continues to be) the enjoyment of using them. This is the case for all the pens that I own. Each one added to my "collection" but for specific use cases or writing experiences.
Still, when I heard about the Lamy Studio Wild Rubin I was quite excited. I love that vibrant red colour. I nabbed one with EF gold nib as soon as they arrived in Goulet Pens shop.
The pen came housed in a ginormous red box. The packaging is beautiful and precise. Opening the hinged lid of the box reveals a pen sitting on a white velvet platform along with a bottle of Lamy Blue ink.
The pen entire pen (cap, body and grip) is made from metal. The body and cap are lacquered in glossy vibrant red.
The grip looks like shiny polished chrome.
The cap is embellished by a distinctive propellor clip in the same polished chrome as the grip.
Both end caps sport chrome.
The shape of the pen is kind of a slender cigar shape with flat ends. Overall the pen is minimalistic in styling.
The pen is well balanced in my hand. It is fine posted though I tend to write with it unposted. I find it comfortable to hold. There are no awkward threads or steps in the grip area. Some may find the shiny grip slippery to hold. However, I have not found this to be an issue for me. Unlike the Lamy Safari or Lamy Al-Star, the grip is a simple tapered cylindrical shape that is comfortable to hold.
The pen uses a cartridge or converter, both are included in the gift box in addition to the 50 ml bottle of Lamy Blue. Lamy Blue is a serviceable mid-blue but not particularly exciting. Sometimes I wonder how I'll ever use the entire bottle.
The best part part about this pen is undoubtedly the two-toned 14k gold nib. The design of the nib is simple yet modern and is perfectly matched for the minimalistic look of the overall pen. The nib is engraved with the words in a sans serif font from tip down: EF, 14K, 585, LAMY. I'm not sure what the 585 stands for.
Writing with the nib is even more enjoyable than looking at it. It's smooth with very slight feedback on paper. It writes wet and juicy. In German nib tradition, the EF nib writes like a Japanese fine or fine-medium. Although I like fine lines, I love the expressiveness and feel of this nib. This gold Lamy nib always makes me feel creative and expressive. It's a feeling that is hard to beat and to describe. I just love it.
Being the second pen with a gold nib that I own, I actually prefer this over the medium nib on my Namiki Vanishing Point Galaxy Raden. This one performed flawlessly out of the box and never required any adjustment on my part. As well, the EF nib is more my cup of tea than the VP’s medium nib.
I do not treat this pen like a limited edition treasure. It is a tool that I love to use and it shows. I often take this pen to me for meetings and conferences, usually paired with a red or orange ink. I use it for emphasis but also for everyday writing depending on the type of red it is inked with. The writing I do even at work is for my personal notes so I don't ever feel that any colour could be not work appropriate.
The snap cap is a breeze to whip off and jot down a few words. It pushes to post but I rarely do that. I find it just a touch unbalanced when posted. Instead I just enjoy holding the cap in my left hand. That's just me.
This pen is easy to clean. It only takes a few minutes to flush the nib, feed and converter using water and a bulb syringe. As well, the nib is easily removed to ensure good cleaning between the nib and feed. The nib is interchangeable with those on Lamy Safari or Lamy Al-Star. For whatever reason, I've never interchange the steel nibs with the gold one. Somehow I feel that only the Wild Rubin deserves the gold nib. I know, strange.
A finally, a comment on finish. I love the Red. It is eye-catching. I've had received many complimentary comments on this pen because of the colour. I try to treat the pen carefully but I don't give it the white glove treatment. The finish has held up well for the most part. There are a couple fine dings from the odd drop of two. As well, there is a divot in the finish where the clip comes in contact with the cap. Otherwise, the pen has held up well to 1.5 years of near constant use along with it's sibling, the Lamy 2000.
Side by side comparison of 2 EF Lamy fountain pens
Closing Comments
The Lamy Studio is a well-constructed all metal pen that feels great in the hand. The Wild Rubin special edition is eye-catching and beautiful. The 14K extra fine nib is a worthwhile upgrade for a flawless writing experience.