Lamy safari vs Lamy 2000 in writing?

[grox]

I didn't realise your importation duties were so high; in Australia, anything under $1000 AUD is tax-free.

Edited November 12, 2009 by grox

[Yuki Onitsura]

I didn't realise your importation duties were so high; in Australia, anything under $1000 AUD is tax-free.

 

Unfortuantely, the MSRP on fountain pens in Australia is completely absurd.

 

Yuki

[jszh]

I didn't realise your importation duties were so high; in Australia, anything under $1000 AUD is tax-free.

 

I checked out the index, for fountain pens the duties is 10% if it is made in Germany, maybe I should make a call...There were two purchases that I was not charged duties for. Once it was new books from Hongkong, once was second-hand books from US.

Edited November 12, 2009 by jszh

[Bull Winkle]

I paid 89 bucks for my 2k and with a bottle of ink and shipping it was still a tad under a hundred bucks

[Namo]

I have been using Lamy Safari for one year and pretty happy with its performance. It fits my hand and writes well. But ocassionally I think to get a smoother tip/point. My Safari has a fine nib. So my question is: with the same paper and ink, is Lamy 2000 with the fine nib smoother? Or a Safari with 1.1 nib and medium nib will get the same effect? I read somewhere that the hard metal on the tip and craftmanship determine the smoothness not the gold nib.

 

The only thing I care is the writing experience (grip and smoothness). I know the best way is to try it in a store but I am going to buy online. I am not sure the store in town will let me try their Lamy 2000 (220 CN$ + tax) if I have no intention to buy there.

 

Anyone who have used both can help? Thank you.

 

 

From the price you mentioned for your 2K, I take you are in Canada; if you are in Montreal, you may talk about "La boutique du sylo" or "Nota bene" papeterie. People in both places are very nice. You may not buy you 2K there, but you can always use a good ink ("La boutique du stylo" has Noodler's ink, and "Nota bene" has Diamine, among others) nice paper (some items at "Nota bene" are pretty unique) or something to carry your pen, converters, etc...

 

The 2K offers a totally different experience than the Safari: the nib is very smooth (for some, too much; they feel like writing with a RB and has some slight flex. I must say, even if this is considered as a myth by some, that my 2K changed since I have it, and now it has more personality.

 

Good hunting!

[yttl]

I own the safari and 2k. My experience seems to be different from everyone else's; my 2k has an EF nib and its finer than the Safari EF! I use it for all my precise writing such as maths, diagrams, etc.

As for a comparison, there really is none. The L2k is in a class of its own when compared to the safari. The higher quality is seen immediately, and its a piston filler instead of a c/c. Its only a tiny bit heavier, but i find it better balanced in the hand than the safari. The downside of the 2k is the tiny sweet spot. The nib has to be just so else it's scratchy and unpleasant. But you get into the habit, so its only annoying to start with.

 

I advise strongly that you try before you buy...

 

--

YTTL

Edited November 12, 2009 by yttl

[Darteres]

Not to talk you out of a purchase, but if you are just looking for a smoother nib, why not try smoothing the pen you have now. Get a brown paper grocery bag and draw swirly circles. It's a pretty common practice that's fairly well documented on this site. Use light pressure with your normal pen hold and keep drawing circles. A quick search on this site should turn up numerous results.

[AlejoPlay]

Of my four LAMYs--a Safari, a Vista, an Al-Star and a 2000--the Al-Star and the 2000 are the smoothest writers. The Vista and Safari are just fine too but have a little feedback. The Safari most of all (the best I can do to describe it is it's like a Sharpie). All four are great to write with but the 2000 needs good paper because it's very wet.

[oldnavy1988]

The only way to know for sure is to try, and if you are going to try at a dealer you should buy at the dealer. That's one of the reasons that in-person shopping costs a little more; you have the luxury of being able to make a better decision.

 

My Lamy 2000 (which I have owned for only a week) writes similarly to my Al-Star with an LH nib.

 

Thank you for telling me your experience.

I wouldn't mind paying a bit more for trying out before purchage. But is 240 US$ (250 CN$) a bit too much???

 

It certainly is. I just bought the 2000 from Pen Gallery for $89 plus S&H. Have not inked it yet though.

[jszh]

Not to talk you out of a purchase, but if you are just looking for a smoother nib, why not try smoothing the pen you have now. Get a brown paper grocery bag and draw swirly circles. It's a pretty common practice that's fairly well documented on this site. Use light pressure with your normal pen hold and keep drawing circles. A quick search on this site should turn up numerous results.

 

 

Good idea.

[MYU]

Best to pick up a used Lamy 2000 with the nib of your choice, and a seller who can affirm its qualities. This way you won't pay that absurd MSRP they are charging in Canada!

[Flourish]

Lamy Safari's are almost always good to go right out of the box. There seem to be a few Lamy 2000's that have problems but if you get a good one, which you usually will, the 2000 has that timeless James Bondsy Mookraker cool factor. The only problem I've ever had with my 2000 is that in my hand it isn't really a long distance writer as it can get a bit uncomfortable to hold after 4 to 5 hours, and if my hand's sweaty it can be hard to hold. But that's just me and I'm a line scratching freak.

Edited November 14, 2009 by Flourish

[haziz]

I've had a Lamy 2k for over a year or so, and to be honest it is the pen that I measure all others against for ease of writing. I have the EF nib and it is really more like a fat F or almost a M but as far as smoothness, writing first time every time, writing after sitting for a month, and the huge ink supply, really for these qualities it is my favorite pen. I have prettier pens, more "tech" pens but this thing just works.

 

I heard about the size issue. I feel the F on my Safari is a bit thin so, if I buy, I am thinking of getting an F with 2000, which may feel like an M.

 

If you want a medium then get a medium in the 2000. Recent production nibs seem true to size compared to other makes. At least this is true with my four samples of the pen, EF, F (two pens) and medium. My medium is delicious and feels the same width as Pelikan, Waterman and other Western medium nibs. The Lamy 2000 do tend to be wet writers, a big plus in my book. Great pen overall; far superior to the Safari in my opinion.

 

Sincerely,

 

Hany.

[Glenn-SC]

I have a 2000 with a Fine nib which Is smooth and also has a flow problem (skipping).

 

My Safaris may be a bit less smooth but they have more consistent flow.

[jszh]

I have a 2000 with a Fine nib which Is smooth and also has a flow problem (skipping).

 

My Safaris may be a bit less smooth but they have more consistent flow.

 

 

Thanks for the insight

[Bull Winkle]

I have looked at the safari/al star, still deciding which one, I have an Lamy 2k with EF nib that writes closer to a medium and very smooth

[professionaldilettante]

No one told you to use their cartridges, as the ink in them from lamy isn't even the best. Just throw a converter into it and you're golden for forever, costing only about 5$ for the converter.

[jszh]

I have a 2000 with a Fine nib which Is smooth and also has a flow problem (skipping).

 

My Safaris may be a bit less smooth but they have more consistent flow.

 

 

Thank you!

[Snoutmol]

I'm probably in a minority on this, but I can't suffer the safari. I don't like the stupid overpriced custom cartridges at all.

That's why you get a converter. And the 2000 doesn't take cartridges.

[Sasha Royale]

My LAMY 2000 has excellent ink flow qualities. The nib is very smooth. It costs five times the $$ of my Safari, which I like. As your fingernail is scratchier than your knuckle, a medium or broad is smoother than a fine nib. Also, putting a bit of Vaseline on your knuckle reduces friction. If you like your Safari, try a "lubricating" ink and a wider nib, like a medium.

 

Good news: Noodler's Eel Blue is a sleek, vivid ink that flows smoothly. A $15 LAMY Safari nib switches in 20 seconds.