Compiled from 5 sources; we haven't tested this product ourselves yet. How we research
Quick answer
The LAMY joy is a calligraphy fountain pen built on the LAMY safari's grip, with a long tapered body and a polished steel italic nib in 1.1, 1.5 or 1.9 mm. LAMY lists it at 178 mm long and 17 g. It takes LAMY T10 cartridges or the Z28 converter, is made in Germany, and sits in our $$$ band.
On this page11 sections
The LAMY joy capped, 178 mm (drawn at 1 mm = 4 px).
Product facts
Product
LAMY joy calligraphy fountain pen (1.1, 1.5 and 1.9 mm)
High-gloss ASA plastic body and cap, metal clip, polished stainless steel calligraphy nib (per LAMY)
Price range
$$$$20–75 per pen (multi-packs divided by the count)
Colors
black
Ink
LAMY blue T10 cartridge, one included
Rate it
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Notes on these facts
Made by C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Heidelberg (part of Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.). Made in Germany: LAMY's own India storefront lists the country of origin as Germany and names C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Grenzhöfer Weg 32, Heidelberg, as the manufacturer (read October 23, 2026). A Digitec listing gives China and Germany, which we treat as unclear. Source. Price: example listing.
Colors: names per LAMY Netherlands (German), checked October 24, 2026. Colors per LAMY's German-language Netherlands shop, which lists both in its Standard group and says one blue LAMY T 10 cartridge is included. Tints were sampled from LAMY's product photos; the black joy has a red clip. Tints are representative, not measured. Shops stock different colors.
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 = CZK 21.7; €1 = US$1.12; £1 = US$1.32; CHF 1 = US$1.21).
Key takeaways
LAMY offers the joy's steel calligraphy nib in 3 widths: 1.1, 1.5 and 1.9 mm.
LAMY's German site lists it at 12 × 12 × 178 mm (7.0 in) and 17 g.
It comes with 1 blue LAMY T10 cartridge; LAMY recommends the Z28 converter for bottled ink.
LAMY's German shop listed the joy at €22.90 (about US$26) on October 23, 2026.
LAMY's India store lists Germany as the country of origin; the main Amazon.com listing had 2,732 ratings that day.
What is the LAMY joy?
It is LAMY’s calligraphy fountain pen: a safari-style grip on a long, tapered body, with a polished steel italic (Bandzug) nib. LAMY says the overall look and the ergonomic grip are based on the LAMY safari, while the tapering body is a homage to traditional dip pen holders.
LAMY pitches it for lettering, hobby calligraphy, journaling and cards, and says the nib also gives everyday handwriting a distinctive look. Its designer is Wolfgang Fabian, who also designed the LAMY AL-star.
LAMY joy specs
Spec
Value
Maker
C. Josef Lamy GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany
Model
LAMY joy
Nib
Polished stainless steel calligraphy nib
Nib widths
1.1, 1.5, 1.9 mm
Filling
LAMY T10 cartridge (1 blue included) or Z28 converter
Body
High-gloss ASA plastic, metal clip
Size
12 × 12 × 178 mm (0.5 × 0.5 × 7.0 in)
Weight
17 g
Colors (Germany)
Black, strawberry; joy AL sold separately
German list price
€22.90 (about US$26)
From LAMY’s German product page, read October 23, 2026.
Which nib width should you choose?
Start with 1.1 mm if you also want to write normal-sized text; choose 1.5 or 1.9 mm for bigger letters. The width is the thickest line the nib makes when pulled straight down; sideways strokes are thin.
The three joy nib widths to scale (nominal).
Width
Good for
1.1 mm
Italic handwriting, journal entries, small lettering
1.5 mm
Headings, cards, practice alphabets
1.9 mm
Large calligraphy, titles, posters
These are our suggestions from the nominal widths, not LAMY’s. LAMY’s UK site sells a joy set with all three nib tips.
How does the joy compare with the Pilot Parallel Pen?
Both are beginner calligraphy pens, but the joy has a traditional italic nib and the Pilot Parallel Pen uses two parallel plates. The Parallel goes up to 6.0 mm for large lettering; the joy’s widths suit smaller hand lettering, and it fills like an ordinary LAMY.
The joy is longer, has a calligraphy nib and a tapered tail; the LAMY safari is a general writing pen. Both are 12 mm wide on LAMY’s German site and use the same cartridges and converter.
LAMY joy
LAMY safari
Length (LAMY)
178 mm
144 mm
Weight (LAMY)
17 g
16 g
Nibs
1.1, 1.5, 1.9 mm italic
EF, F, M, B, LH, plus 1.1 and 1.5 mm italics
Ink
T10 or Z28
T10 or Z28
Safari figures from our safari guide. If you mainly want italic handwriting, a safari with a 1.1 mm nib is the shorter option; the joy’s long body is LAMY’s nod to traditional dip pen holders.
What ink does the LAMY joy use?
LAMY T10 cartridges, or bottled ink with the LAMY Z28 converter. One blue T10 cartridge comes in the box, and LAMY recommends the Z28 converter for ink from a bottle.
A converter lets you use any bottled fountain pen ink.
Is the LAMY joy popular in the US?
Yes: it is one of the best-known calligraphy pens. The main Amazon.com listing, for the joy black with a 1.1 mm nib, had 2,732 ratings on October 23, 2026.
It sits in our $$$ band, $20–75. LAMY also sells a joy AL version, from €29.50 (about US$33) in Germany.
Where is the LAMY joy made?
In Germany, according to LAMY’s India storefront, which lists Germany as the country of origin. It names C. Josef Lamy GmbH in Heidelberg as the manufacturer. A Swiss retailer, Digitec, lists China and Germany, so check the package if it matters to you.
Frequently asked questions
Which LAMY joy nib size is best for beginners?
The 1.1 mm is the easiest to start with, because it also works for everyday handwriting; the 1.5 and 1.9 mm make bolder letters for headings and larger calligraphy.
Is the LAMY joy the same as a LAMY safari?
No, but LAMY says the joy's look and ergonomic grip are based on the safari. The joy has a longer tapered body like a traditional dip pen holder and a calligraphy nib.
Does the LAMY joy come with a converter?
No. LAMY includes one blue T10 cartridge and lists the Z28 converter as a recommended accessory, so buy it separately if you want bottled ink.
Is there a left-handed LAMY joy?
Yes. LAMY says the joy is also available for left-handers.
Can I use bottled ink in a LAMY joy?
LAMY T10 cartridges, or bottled ink through the LAMY Z28 converter, which LAMY recommends as an accessory.
Is the LAMY joy made in Germany?
Yes, according to LAMY's India storefront, which lists Germany as the country of origin and the Heidelberg company as the manufacturer.
What colors does the LAMY joy come in?
LAMY's German-language shop lists two colors for the joy fountain pen, black (with a red clip) and strawberry, both as standard models. Each comes with one blue T10 cartridge.
