Review Of The Lamy 2000 Ef Nib

[xuan87]

More pen reviews can be found on my blog: http://inkoholicanonymous.blogspot.sg/

 

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss324/xuan87/Fountain%20pens/DSCF0940.jpg

 

INTRODUCTION: Before I start getting into fountain pens seriously, I ask around which fountain pen is worth getting, and the pen that keep getting mentioned is the Lamy 2000. Initially, I didn't really like the small nib. However, I became curious after reading numerous reviews praising the pen, I decided to get one. ( I bought 2 and sold 1 in the end, but more on that later.)

1. Appearance & Design (8/10) – The pen has a like-it or hate-it design. There is no adornment of any sort on the pen, and the word “Lamy” is engraved on the side of the spring-loaded clip, which is matt silver in color. The pen body is made of fibre-glass reinforced Makrolon which is a matt gunmetal black, and the barrel is made from stainless steel. The Makrolon material also managed to disguise the back piston cap. Most piston filler has a metallic ring at the end, but the Lamy 2000 doesn't need the ring due to the Makrolon. The simple 14K Platinum-coated gold nib looks great on the pen and I felt that a full sized nib will only look weird. The Makrolon body has the best feel among all my pens ( which have bodies mostly made from resin or metal.) However there are some shiny spots on the pen body which I can't seem to get out. Also, the ink window could have been better designed, so that the ink level can be seen more clearly. In an effort not to spoil the aesthetic of the pen, the designers made the ink window as small as possible and slightly opaque. Lastly, there are 2 pieces of metal placed on the pen body to hold the pen cap in place. However, one of the metal pieces are placed right where my index finger grip the pen. While I haven't experienced any discomfort, others might. So i'm taking 2 points off for the metal pieces and the ink window.

 

2. Construction & Quality (10/10) – The Lamy 2000 has to be the most durable fountain pen ever with it's fibre-glass reinforced Makrolon body. There have been various stories of Lamy 2000 being thrown out of moving cars, dropped from numerous floors with no damage. I've read a thread where the barrel seal to the pen body is faulty, resulting in an ink leak. However, I didn't have that problem, so... a perfect 10!

 

3. Weight & Dimensions (10/10) – The pen has a nice heft to it, but it's not too heavy, considering it is a piston filler. The length is just nice unposted ( I write unposted) and the balance is perfect too.

 

http://i588.photobucket.com/albums/ss324/xuan87/Fountain%20pens/DSCF0941.jpg

 

4. Nib & Performance (18/20) – The Lamy 2000 is available in a variety of nib sizes: Extra Fine, Fine, Medium, Broad, Double Broad, Oblique Medium and Oblique Broad and Oblique Extra Broad. My lst Lamy 2000 was in Fine nib, but it wrote like a Medium. A very wet Medium. The nib was so wet that there was bleedthrough on my thickest paper, using my driest ink. Coupled with the fact that my handwriting is small, I knew that the Fine nib was not for me. Luckily, I was able to sell it off at a good price since the pen was still quite new. A few months later, I bought the EF nib, thinking that it will be like a Fine nib but I was pleasantly surprised that the EF nib was just a bit thicker than a normal EF nib. Hence, the EF nib writes like a wet EF nib rather than a wet F nib. The end result is a very smooth, well-controlled EF nib. The nib is a 14K, Platinum-coated nib and is slightly springy. Hence, it's possible to achieve ink shading and line variation quite easily, not that I need it too. I took a point off because I feel that the nib sizes are off.

 

5. Filling System & Maintenance (10/10) – The pen is a piston filler with a big ink capacity. The piston is smooth, and there's basically nothing wrong with it. A perfect 10!

 

6. Cost & Value (10/10) – It's hard to believe that I got the pen for only $89. For $100, you can get a bottle of ink, and a pen that is a piston filler, extra-durable and comes in a variety of nibs. I can't think of any rating other than a 10!

 

7. Conclusion (Final score, 66/70) – If you plan to get a workhorse pen to be used as a daily user, the Lamy 2000 should definitely be in your list of consideration.The Lamy 2000 outperforms many pens that cost 2 or 3 times more. After all, there's a reason why the Lamy 2000 has remained unchanged since 1966 ( that's way before I'm born!).

Edited July 23, 2012 by xuan87

[Scribblesoften]

Thanks for the nice review.

[tonybelding]

If you plan to get a workhorse pen to be used as a daily user, the Lamy 2000 should definitely be in your list of consideration.The Lamy 2000 outperforms many pens that cost 2 or 3 times more.

 

I've been looking for a workhorse pen to be a daily user... and one of the contenders was a Lamy 2000. After some testing I ruled it out because I find the grip uncomfortable, the clip is awkward and tried to chew on my pocket, I sometimes have trouble keeping the nib oriented on its sweet spot, and the nib just wasn't quite right -- my downstrokes were nice and wet, but upstrokes sometimes almost disappeared. It's a pity because I love the look-and-feel and the overall ruggedness.

 

I'm thinking a Sheaffer Targa is probably my next option.

[JGA]

Great review..Thanks...where did you get it for such a low price?

[Ytland]

Thanks for the review!

 

My pen of choice for most of my school years. I've said this too many times, but I'm very proud of the fact I used this pen for eight years straight.

 

Good choice! Enjoy in good health.

 

Jack.

[DrorJS]

Am I the only one who thinks this pen is UGLY?!

 

I mean, nice review, but come on! What is that nib?!

[opus7600]

Am I the only one who thinks this pen is UGLY?!

 

I mean, nice review, but come on! What is that nib?!

 

It's called semi-hooded (versus, e.g, a Parker "51" which is totally hooded). At least one benefit is the pen can sit uncapped for a longer time without drying out.

[LYTH]

Nice review !

Personally, I really like this design.

[RPfister]

Nice review, thanks!

I own a Lamy 2000 since a couple of months, and also experienced the shiny spots on the pen body. Polishing with a tiny tiny drop of oil made the spots vanish. Otherwise a pen one must get used to, but after some time of continuous use it is one of my favorite pens.

[daladoir]

Well, that's it then. Looks like mama's getting a Lamy 2000 next.

[BMG]

Am I the only one who thinks this pen is UGLY?!

 

Probably not, but FWIW the Lamy 2000 has won many design awards is said to be in MOMA's permanent collection so you're likely in the minority.

 

This thread has much interesting info on the 2000, and the photo below, by our very own Christof, shows its lineage:

 

Edited September 28, 2014 by BMG