Dialog 3 - Longitudinal Studies?

[Calabria]

I'm looking at the Lamy dialog 3 and can only find somewhat old threads and reviews from people who basically had just unpacked their pens.

 

Does anybody have long term experience with this pen? Does it travel well on planes? Where can I get one at a reasonable price?

[ErrantSmudge]

How long do you define "long term?"

 

I got a Piano White Dialog3 at the LamyUSA liquidation sale in November 2017, for 50% off list. It had a loose nib, I got it exchanged by Lamy and the replacement has been working well. Overall, I like the pen.

 

Some comments about the pen:

 

- The gold nib (F) is very smooth, and has more spring to it than Lamy's steel nibs.

- It works nice as a note-taker because the retractable mechanism is quicker/more convenient than uncapping.

- The nib does not dry out when retracted, any worse than capped pens in my collection. (i.e. I can leave it for a week and it still starts nicely)

- The pen is heavy, but it is balanced such that the nib end is weighty - so the opposite end of the barrel is very light. This weight distribution makes the pen feel more comfortable (to me at least) because it seems less heavy in use. Because the pen is a pure cylinder, it does have a unique feel in the hand compared to all other pens in my collection.

- It's a little harder to clean than some other CC pens, because the inner assembly (which comprises the converter, feed and nib) can be easily removed from the pen, but it can't be bulb-flushed.

 

- It also takes cartridges, but you basically force the cart onto the feed until the seal breaks - unlike the Safari, where you simply screw the barrel to puncture and seat the cartridge.

 

I have no experience with the pen on planes.

 

If you have specific questions about the pen, I can do my best to answer.

Edited April 28, 2018 by ErrantSmudge

[praxim]

I have owned mine, a metal one, since mid-2016 though I can not claim long term use if it implies frequency. Thanks to a massive spate of pen purchasing in the last two years, few pens have made it past three cycles, on which number the Dialog sits. Most recent was a couple of months ago.

 

Regarding its nature, I agree with ErrantSmudge's points. Mine is a medium nib, very smooth, slight springiness. For a note-taking setting it is excellent, almost ideal. For longer writing I tend to prefer other pens which would be inked at the same time. The Dialog 3 is easily my heaviest pen in writing weight. I do not post pens which have caps unless the pen is very short (vintage).

 

When I bought it my pen needed a little silicone grease on the cap mechanism to operate smoothly. Now I regard it as reliable, robust and easy, noting again that it is not as if the pen is in constant use. It might be even better if it were.

 

If I were to take it on a plane then I imagine it would behave much like any other modern C/C pen, so I would carry it nib up and be surprised if there were any problems.

 

edit:afterthought

Edited April 28, 2018 by praxim

[Calabria]

Oh right - long term I was thinking somebody who has used the pen for a few years. Just asking because it definitely is neat out of the box, but does it actually perform well as a carry pen?

 

These are really good comments - thanks. Errantsmudge do you like the piano white? I'm sorry I missed that on the closeout sale! I was also debating what version to get - the older one or the new updated with ink window.

[ErrantSmudge]

Oh right - long term I was thinking somebody who has used the pen for a few years. Just asking because it definitely is neat out of the box, but does it actually perform well as a carry pen?

 

These are really good comments - thanks. Errantsmudge do you like the piano white?

 

Yes, I like the piano white a great deal. Out of the 40 pens in my collection the Dialog is the only white one, which makes it unique - but above that, the glossy white finish paired with the rounded cylinder shape make for a really elegant appearance.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm sorry I missed that on the closeout sale!

 

 

At the time I saw the pen on the LamyUSA site, I knew it was then or never. No judgements on the value of the pen, but I wasn't willing to pay list price. But at the same time, I had been on the lookout for a high-end Lamy and the usual choice (the 2000) isn't so appealing to me.

 

 

I was also debating what version to get - the older one or the new updated with ink window.

 

 

 

FWIW, my version is the newer model with the ink window. The ink window is a big reason why the feed cannot be bulb-flushed - it provides two holes to prevent a seal. (You need a converter installed to effectively flush the feed).

 

I believe (but am not certain) the newer model also upgraded the seal on the shutter mechanism to better prevent nib dryouts.

Edited April 28, 2018 by ErrantSmudge

[praxim]

I believe (but am not certain) the newer model also upgraded the seal on the shutter mechanism to better prevent nib dryouts.

 

I think they did that fairly early, well before the ink window was introduced. I have that Version 2, improved shutter, no window.

[dapprman]

Mine has been carried around for several years now attached to my Midori Passport - literally goes every where with me. Only problem I've had is wit bouncing around in my usual cargo pants pocket the inner nib section/unit can become unscrewed - normally noticeable by the nib not being aligned on being opened. Also if it's just been upright for too long and not been written with for a while it can take a few seconds for the ink to flow. Very practical pen.

http://i.imgur.com/q4bJO7s.jpg?1

[Calabria]

 

I think they did that fairly early, well before the ink window was introduced. I have that Version 2, improved shutter, no window.

It's a bit like buying a car, right, with three generations of slightly changed mechanics? So the matte black and palladium are still generation 2?

[Calabria]

Mine has been carried around for several years now attached to my Midori Passport - literally goes every where with me. Only problem I've had is wit bouncing around in my usual cargo pants pocket the inner nib section/unit can become unscrewed - normally noticeable by the nib not being aligned on being opened. Also if it's just been upright for too long and not been written with for a while it can take a few seconds for the ink to flow. Very practical pen.

http://i.imgur.com/q4bJO7s.jpg?1

Nice picture, thank you. I was wondering whether this would work as a EDC

[Calabria]

Errant Smudge - the white would be my choice, too, although I don't really go for white pens. Or matte black, which always works for me, although I guess it has a tendency to show signs of wear

[ErrantSmudge]

I think they had white and silver available from the LamyUSA closeout, but white would have been my first pick if I had the entire range to choose from.

[praxim]

It's a bit like buying a car, right, with three generations of slightly changed mechanics? So the matte black and palladium are still generation 2?

 

Perhaps. I bought mine over the web so I have never had the opportunity to compare different Dialogs in a shop.

[SpecTP]

I have the white and paladium version and I use the paladium one every day. I have no issues with it on airplanes. it's also an easy starter too. I never have issue with it working even after a few weeks of sitting idle with ink.

[kwinana]

I have owned a palladium version since 2010. It has never leaked. The only issue has been a jamming mechanism on one occasion, repaired by Lamy.

 

Overall it is one of the best pens I own due to the smooth nib and convenient twist mechanism. Great for note talking as very little fatigue. Highly rated.

Edited May 13, 2018 by kwinana

[Calabria]

I'm reactivating this topic since I just committed to the Palladium version on Massdrop. Looking forward to doing my own study (finally).

[ingolf]

I once had 3 Dialog 3 pens. My first Lamy Dialog 3 Palladium was seen by my wife ... and oops ... the Dialog went to my wife . But that's OK.

So I went to buy another Lamy Dialog 3 Palladium. I used it a lot until I noticed some misalignment of the two strips. Therefore I contacted the Lamy service and got a totally new Lamy (except for the nib) for free. So I am fully convinced of the Lamy service.

 

 

Some months ago I did a exchange - I gave my Pilot Capless and got a black Lamy Dialog 3 that is currently in use (ink is Pelikan Edelstein Topaz).

 

 

To my opinion there were some initial problems regarding ink drying out as the closing mechanism still had some issues. But the nowadays Dialog 3 models are optimised for that problem.

The Lamy nibs (I used nib size M) are not very flexible but are writing very smooth.

The Lamy Dialog 3 is a well-balanced pen with a very individual design. I think you like it or not. But I like it.

 

Regards, Ingolf.

Edited June 2, 2018 by ingolf

[Calabria]

Beautiful pictures! 😍

[little pen]

I have a palladium dialog 3 acquired from a trade . The pen is just over 1 year old and I have been using it daily at work for about 3 months.

For me the pen is well balanced and a pleasure to use . I do love the twist mechanism and the weight of the pen. The only minor issue for me is the clip it's developed a slight off line tilt . But still a great pen.

[Calabria]

July 27, 2018

 

I finally received my dialog 3. I waited much too long for this pen and next time would go through a specialist retailer. Still, the pen arrived in perfect condition. As many have pointed out, it is pretty heavy. The mechanism on the inside is like a cp 1 stashed in a tube, and is beautifully made. It reminds me of a mechanical toy:

 

 

What redeems the pen is its nib. After years of Pelikans, it is amazing to receive a nib that has been hand ground and polished, and still had a few threads of blue tissue in the tines from the person who tried it out before shipping.

 

There are many reviews of this pen so I won't add to that. What I'm interested in is whether this pen is just a clever toy, or whether it is also a writer like the 2000. I will check back periodically and update my feelings about it – until I take it out of rotation. Please add your comments!

 

Derek

[1nkulus]

Using it for 5+ years, no issues at all. Robust and smooth. Used it with all nib widths.

No issues on airlines either.

 

I definitely prefer it to the Pilot VP.