Although I knew of Lamy as a brand before joining FPN I never considered owning one. But apparently, it seems to have some kind of "cult following" among FPN members! I see "Lamy 2000" scattered everywhere throughout the posts to the extent that I must surmise it is very popular. Suddenly my interest is up - am I missing out on something good? On the surface I can't see what the appeal is - it's about the drabbest looking thing (one color only - dull boring black!) I've ever seen. Yet - is that somehow part of the mystique?

On the other hand, I have always loved a partially hooded nib (one of my all time favorite writers is the Parker 45 with hooded nib - I own 3). And, if there was ever a time to buy one it would be now because I just got an email from Swisher for a 10% off Presidents day sale on everything in stock. Their price for the Lamy 2000 is 110.00 and with 10% off that puts it under 100.00. I think the sale is good to the 20th.

Should I? Darn - I promised my wife that I wasnt going to buy any more pens for awhile! As if I don't already have enough? - No, Never! Do I need the Lamy 2000 to continue to feed this sick obsession? I think I might.....

Opinions please?

John
Krewalk.com

Do you really NEED a 2000? No, you can go on through life perfectly without having ever touched one. Do you WANT a 2000? Of course you do! I love my 2000 and it is now the favourite in my small collection of pens. It's drabness and lack of anything that would make it look expensive and fancy is the reason why I bought one. I've always liked the sleek, no-nonsense look of Lamy pens and the 2000 is a model of that. The pen was made for writing and that is what it excels in. Comfortable to hold due to the shape and light weight, I can write with it for hours. If you do get one, I think you won't regret it.

I first got a Lamy 2000 in the mid-1980s and have been very
pleased with it ever since. When I saw that they were still
available a few years ago I bought a couple more. One thing
though -- don't let ink dry inside or you may damage the pen.
I damaged one this way. I sent it to Lamy/Filofax for repair
and was astonished that the damage was covered under warranty!

As everyone says, they are wet writers and the nibs write
wider than you'd expect. I just got my fine nib replaced
by an extra-fine which writes very smoothly. (Unfortunately
I broke the fill mechanism when trying it out and had to send
it back. I hope this repair is not too expensive!)

The only things I don't like are that sometimes ink collects
on the grip under the blind cap and the pens are fairly stiff
to fill out of the box. Others have detailed how to lube them
with silicone grease. A bit on the threads of the filler
cap does help. A tiny amount in the barrel helps
more.

Ted

A few things:
I have a 2000 and it's in the rotation nearly continually.
The Medium nib writes on the wide side of medium
The 2000 holds a ton of ink
It's a great writing pen
I don't worry about damaging the pen - it's rugged.
The slip cap is handy.

You might check out www.oscarbraunpens.com Pam is a good dealer as well as
Chuck at Swishers.

Have fun.

There have been a few of us in your position who discovered that the Lamy 2000 was not the right pen for them (like me). As a previous poster said, it's a very wet writer with a broad stroke and in addition it's got a very "soft" feel. (I guess I would say it's the opposite of "feedback"). I had a fine nib but couldn't get a good feel for the paper, it was like writing in a liquid. Now you may like that, many people do. The quality is superb and I hated to sell it but I couldn't get comfortable with it.
But nonetheless I recommend trying it, you can easily resell it if it's not for you.

The Lamy 2000 is one of those pen you can't keep away from your rotation. Mine is on my night table in a neat little Lamy leather holder and I write with it every night before going to sleep. I got an EF nib and I keep it filled with Lamy blue-black.

It's just a cool pen that doesn't scream bling bling. It's in the same category as my Densho and my brand new Hero 100.
The simpler the better for me.

You won't regret it, get one!

Samovar

I've had one for a few years. I used it a lot at first and not so much now. It's a great pen. It takes a dya or two to get used to the feel of the nib. The design is clean and minimal. It's well balanced. The cap is postable if you like that sort of thing. From my experience their build and quality control is very good. Their service is good too--my nib somehow split after a year and they promptly replaced it. It's a piston filler (important criteria for me but not everyone cares). The section unscrews for flushing. I think the only reason I don't use it more often is because it is so incredibly understated.

John, if you have a decent number of fountain pens and you're just looking to augment your collection with a Lamy 2000, you've got plenty of time. They are readily available from a number of sources. The Swisher sale is a good shot and at least this way you're buying your pen from a place that can assist you easily. There are FleaBay deals to be had a little cheaper, if you look long enough. I was lucky to nab mine for $72, in lightly used condition. But if I had to pay $100, I'd still be happy with it.

The thing is, you have to appreciate the appeal of understatement. I mostly use it at home, although I'm going to try it out traveling. For business meetings where I travel, I prefer the more crisp look of a Pilot Custom black stripe.


But there's no other pen quite like a Lamy 2000.

Get one.


I was hesitant at first, but now it is one of my regular standbys. It is understated and perfect for when you don't want to draw attention to your pen but want to use a FP anyway. Plus, if someone does notice it, you then know that they "know" about the value of quiet, unassuming quality.

I say yes, but I'll admit to being a Lamy shill. ;-)

Yes! You NEED it - the wife will understand.

Whee! I love the Lamy 2000. Some FPNers have had trouble with the clipwings near the grip, and some with the metal grip itself, but from my observations, if you buy it and end up not liking it (that is, if you can't try it in a store), you can post it on the marketplace here -- they're snapped up very quickly, and go on to happy owners.

I have always wanted to ask this question about the Lamy 200.

How does the Lamy 200 nib compare to some of the normally well thought of nibs on pens like Omas or Stipula or the Sheaffer Legacy or current MB's or Signum??

Are people saying it is a good nib in its price range or are people saying it is flat out a good nib and as nice to write with as the nibs they have used on some of the more expensive pens reknowned for good nibs?

Also, for Lamy fans.... Is the nib tolerant of the angle at which it is held or is it one of those pens that one must be careful to hold correctly or one ends up with skips and scratching??

Now before anyone jumps on me for asking this, let me say I am well aware that price of a pen is not an indicator of nib writing quality.

I find it amusing that about every year or so someone joins one of the fountain pen forums and asks why the last three 200 dollar pens he bought do not write as well as his Phileas. Price does not always equal performance.

One of my flat out favorite nibs is the Danitrio steel nib. I would buy an Omas celluloid pen with a Danitrio steel nib on it if it would save me $100 on the cost of the pen. IF you want a very firm and very smooth nib, you will not likely be disappointed by the DT steel nib.

So I am not falling into the trap that high priced is always better.

So Lamy lovers, I understand that all pen judgements are subjective, but what do you say?

Thanks for the input. J

Whoops. Up above I meant, of course, the LAMY 2000.

j

Thanks to all who replied - I ordered my Lamy 2000 last weekend and I can't wait till it arrives. Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy!!! - the thrill of getting a new pen!!!!! I thought it would be here today and looked for the UPS truck but it didn't show. Now I have to wait another day! How can I sleep tonight?

I already love everything about this pen after reading all about it on the forums here. I found the information invaluable in making my decision and I will let you know my opinion of the pen and it's performance after I give it a test drive!

What size nib are you getting?

John

I'm getting a medium and I am aware (based on these forums) that it will write wet and on the broad side of medium. I can't wait!

Congratulations! Let us know how you like it.

Congratulations on your purchase. I just bought one a while ago and I absolutely love it. It has been the only pen that I have used since I got it. And as Tytyvyllus said, it is in the eye of the beholder about the beauty of it. Whomever enginneered this pen did a great job on the details. The clip is great and the cap fits on really tight.

Enjoy and let us know how it goes.

Oh, and sorry you will be up all night waiting for it.

How are the F and EF nibs?? With the Safaris, the F is a little broad but the EF is truly EF; is this the same way with the 2000? Does the EF write equally as smooth as an M? What would be the size comparable to a Pelikan F?

I have never owned or used a Pelikan but I do own a Safari with a Fine nib which writes like a Medium, while the 2000 EF writes more like a Fine.

OK - I got my new Lamy 200 earlier today (yes - I waited for and watched the UPS truck drive up!).

The first thing I have to say is - "it's ugly as sin"! Plain black - nothing like my other pens that are all pretty much beautiful. But wait - there is something very desireable about the symetry and simplicity - almost a "space age" look even though the design has been around for decades. It really is growing on me. Yes - the understatement is really quite cool.

There are many things I like about it - the fact that you cannot even detect a seam for the piston filler is intriguing and shows superior manfacturing techniques. The way the cap snaps on to the two little clips is great. I also love the "see thru" ink window and the nib is finished beautifully - even when examined with a 10X loupe.

Along with the pen I bought a bottle of Lamy Blu/Black ink. What a cool bottle!! It is made for a pen to be dipped in and even has a built in roll of "mini-tissues" to wipe the nib off after dipping! Another great bit of German engineering!

So now the big test - I did notice the piston filler moved a bit tightly so I put a bit of silicone lube on it and it smoothed up nicely. Into the bottle went the nib and ink drew up perfectly. After writing several pages on all kinds of different papers as a test, I have to say that - unequivocally - this is one of the finest writing instruments I have ever used and the performance rivals that of pens costing many times more! Which by the way - is not saying much for the quality control on those pens - but that is the topic of another post.

In summary - I LOVE THIS PEN! It is now one of my personal favorites for writing. Notice I said - for writing - if you want a pen to look at - get a nice Italian resin pen. But if you want a pen that really writes great - this is it!. The medium nib is silky smooth and puts down a nice wet line.

The feel is great and well balanced whether posted or not - and the cap posts beautifully (again - unlike some more expensive pens that don't even post right!).

This pen has alot of other pens beat when it comes to pure functionality and writing ability. It will always be in my rotation to pull out when I need the best writer! I also have to say that I am also very impressed with the Lamy ink and it is now one of my favorites as well.

When I get a chance I will photo it and post to my website noting it's wonderful writing ability.

One more thing: I noticed on the papers that came with it the words "Kein Design schreibt besser" which in German is "No design writes better".

After using the pen, I would have to say this is definitely an understatement!!!

John
Krewalk.com

Congrats on the pen. Where will you use it most? I suspect it writes a really broad wet line which seems like it would have limited use. I'm curious where folks write with that kind of nib. Writing notes, or on forms, I find it hard to use medium or broader nibs.


John

I will use it mostly for taking notes. I find that the paper has everything to do with the broadness of the line. Especially if you are using some kinds of recycled paper you will have a line that is both too broad and too wet and you will run out of ink fast.

I have experimented alot with notebook papers and the Meade notebook I have takes that same nib that soaks recycled paper and turns it almost into a fine line that conserves ink!!!

Fascinatiing - but true. So, my note taking will be on a paper that suports the kind of line and wetness I want - kind of a matching of the paper o the pen.

I really love the way the 2000 looks. I actually love my pens to be very simple and streamlined. And I usually go for black, demonstrator or stainless steel pens. Occassionally I get a hankering for a yellow or red pen.

My 2000 was giving me issues the other day and then I found what looked like a crack in the nib . . . i swiped it with my finger and it was a cat hair stuck all the way into the hood (I have two cats and there's hair everywhere). I pulled it out and the pen became a gusher again. I decided to give Noodler's Black a go in the pen--I didn't like it before, but maybe that cat hair was in there before. And sure enough it writes beautifully with Noodler's.

I've had to put it down because I have other pens I like to write with, but I always feel bad about it.

Yea--glad to hear of another happy Lamy 2000 owner! I was feeling a bit sad about the 2000 after reading the posts of a couple of dud experiences.

I just took it with me on a business trip and it performed beautifully, both in the air and on the ground. Plus, it never left my pocket--not enough metal to set off the detectors.

After a moment of really looking it over closely during a lull in a business meeting, I decided to do a write-up. I know it has already been reviewed on FPN, but it doesn't hurt to have another perspective. I'll post it this weekend when I'm back home.

I had two duds before I got an outstanding 2000. The piston is smooth, writing is unbelievably smooth, and the design is simple, functional, and yet so very stylish. Of my 20+ pens, it is definitely a favorite and now is an every day work pen.

I got my 2000 today used for $79. The pen looks like new and definitely is a great writer. Very sturdy.
The problem with my precious pens is always that I fear they could break or scratch. This pen is rugged and yet sophisticated. The fine nib is fine and despite the general opinion that the Lamy fine runs wider, I can not bear this out. With good quality paper this is a fine, yeah, maybe a medium to fine, but not by far as fat as my true Visconti medium.

I hated Lamys ever since I graduated from German highschool because the Safari reminds me of my schooldays. It's a good writer but it is just not handsome at all.
I will refuse to use a Lamy Safari ever again since life is just too short to carry an ugly pen but I'll carry the 2000 at any time.
The Lamy 2000 is something that I can cherish and appreciate.
It's a great, great writer.

BTW - I have found that my new Lamy 2000 medium is indeed a medium for me - like your experience - maybe just a tiny bit wider than a medium but in no way can I say it is a lot wider or that it is leaning towards a broad. So, despite what many others have said about he nib being wider than listed - I also cannot bear this out as being true with mine. As far as I am concerned - mine is an acceptable medium line when compared to my other mediums (which I did this afternoon).

Perhaps only the fine and XF Lamy nibs are wider than normal????

I just received a new 2000 as well, with a fine nib. I will echo the previous statements that this is (A) a unique pen that is aesthetically pleasing while still being ugly and (B ) absolutely, without question, the smoothest writing pen I've ever used; it's like writing on ice. It's amazing to me that such a reasonably-priced pen can write so well! This pen is absolutely a daily carry, and it will likely be my pocket-pen while at work as it fits a shirt-pocket nicely, with my larger pens remaining on my desk or in a leather case in my jacket.

I find that the fine nib writes more medium than fine, in fact it is almost exactly the same width as my Omas Bologna medium and noticably wider than my Pelikan fine. It is about the same as my Van Gogh fine, which also seems to run broad based on other comments here.

*edited for format