Lamy 2000 Vs Pilot Vp

[Silvermink]

The 2000 holds a lot more ink and is probably more comfortable for long writing sessions for most people, though the click of the VP is pretty convenient if you don't mind the clip. I did, and ended up trading off my VP Raden after a year. I had other issues with it too, though - namely, ink seems to evaporate from it pretty quickly (which means if you don't write with it for a couple days, you'll get some color darkening for your first few lines' worth of writing) and ink has a tendency to collect behind the door where the nib pops out.

 

The 2000 isn't perfect either, though, as they suffer from pretty indifferent QC. Mine's good, but another VPC member has one that's never been quite right even after a trip back to Lamy. They also run a bit wide, though my EF is still reasonably fine.

Edited July 15, 2010 by Silvermink

[karynv]

It is actually for math and other purposes that require a fine line, which I think the VP will suit best.

 

I have both and I'd only use the VP for math, with an F nib. I love it for that.

 

The Lamy 2000 F has a thicker line, and I find the prongs near the point to be more uncomfortable than the VP clip. However, it feels tougher and the hooded nib feels sturdier than the delicate VP.

Not that my VPs have ever broken. Except the one I put through the laundry.

Edited July 15, 2010 by karynv

[gyasko]

What do you need the pen for? What niche will it fill?

 

Need a pen for long writing sessions? Get the 2000.

 

Need a pen to carry around with you for jotting down quick notes, or one to use while in meetings? Get the VP.

 

The two pens can't really be compared.

 

 

It is actually for math and other purposes that require a fine line, which I think the VP will suit best.

 

If it's a fine line you are after then the VP wins hands down. The 2000 EF nib is as wide as a western fine nib whereas the VP fine nib is like an extra fine nib.

 

 

I find this not to be true. My Lamy XF is pretty much an XF & my Pilot Capless F is an F, and not a particularly fine one. (I mean 'fine' as in 'narrow'. The quality is good.) Perhaps my Lamy experience is unusual, but others have remarked that the rule of thumb about Japanese nibs being a size narrower doesn't hold for the Capless. In fact, as someone who uses a lot of vintage pens, Pilot fine nibs don't seem especially narrow.

[Silvermink]

I find this not to be true. My Lamy XF is pretty much an XF & my Pilot Capless F is an F, and not a particularly fine one. (I mean 'fine' as in 'narrow'. The quality is good.) Perhaps my Lamy experience is unusual, but others have remarked that the rule of thumb about Japanese nibs being a size narrower doesn't hold for the Capless. In fact, as someone who uses a lot of vintage pens, Pilot fine nibs don't seem especially narrow.

 

My VP M was pretty similar to a western M, too.

[eslemexe]

I find this not to be true. My Lamy XF is pretty much an XF & my Pilot Capless F is an F, and not a particularly fine one. (I mean 'fine' as in 'narrow'. The quality is good.) Perhaps my Lamy experience is unusual, but others have remarked that the rule of thumb about Japanese nibs being a size narrower doesn't hold for the Capless. In fact, as someone who uses a lot of vintage pens, Pilot fine nibs don't seem especially narrow.

 

My VP M was pretty similar to a western M, too.

 

My VP F write like a XF Lamy Safari and My L2K F writes a little bit wider than Lamy Safari F but tinner than a M

[dizzypen]

I find this not to be true. My Lamy XF is pretty much an XF & my Pilot Capless F is an F, and not a particularly fine one. (I mean 'fine' as in 'narrow'. The quality is good.) Perhaps my Lamy experience is unusual, but others have remarked that the rule of thumb about Japanese nibs being a size narrower doesn't hold for the Capless. In fact, as someone who uses a lot of vintage pens, Pilot fine nibs don't seem especially narrow.

 

Compared to vintage nibs Japanese nibs are not much finer, but compared to modern German nibs they are. Perhaps you got lucky. Lamy's quality control is not the tightest. The Lamy Extra-Fine I had wrote like a fat fine nib. I've seen others make similar remarks. My Pilot fine nib writes a line of .3-.4mm which is listed as XF or XXF on Richard binder's chart. I've tried a friend's Capless fine nib and it is the same width.

 

ETA: My medium 14k Studio nib writes almost as wide as a western broad.

Edited July 15, 2010 by dizzypen

[Crewel]

I have both and I like/love both of them. To echo some others, I think the VP is best suited for stop and go writing because of the convenience of the capless design, click or twist action. I like the Lamy 2K for the simple yet timeless design. I'm not sure how the Lamy 2K can be slippery when the body and section is rough brushed so there's texture there that will help you maintain grip. As for the nibs, oh my! I have been lucky in that both have very buttery smooth nibs with enough give to handle practically most individual writing styles. My VP nib is also a very wet writer on the scale of about 7/10. The Lamy 2K is also decently wet, about 6.5/10.

 

As for your purposes, I would highly suggest the Lamy 2K in an Extra Fine if you can find it. That nib size should work well for your purposes despite it being slightly wider than normal. The ink capacity in that pen assures that you will not have to constantly refill, especially when you are taking notes in class. As for the VP, it's a great pen, and like others have said, I suggest you try the pen out before you purchase. The clip may be a deal breaker for you. When I got my VP, it took me a couple of days to get used to the clip. Luckily, I did not have to adjust my grip much. And for prices, the Lamy 2K can be had for about $90 - $120 if you look around enough. The VP can be had for about $60+ for the regular model (got mine for about $68 inclusive of shipping from FleaBay); ~ $140+ for the Decimo (slimmer, same click mechanism); ~ $240+ for the Fermo (slimmer, twist mechanism). A good online vendor to check out is here. Not affiliated, just good word of mouth and customer service, and some of the best prices I found.

 

The best thing to do is to get both ofcourse. :ltcapd: That's so I don't feel bad about my own stash.

[AtomicLeo]

Which one should I get?

 

I have some spare cash and I can't decide between these two.

 

People that have used both: which one is overall better?

 

When I say better: Smoother, sturdier, more durable as an everyday user, etc...

 

I own both and I would recommend the Lamy 2k. Great writer and it hold a ton of ink. I like my VP, but I'm disappointed with CON-50 converter that comes with the pen. Does not hold much ink. Thank goodness I have a fine nib or I would be filling all the time.

[Silvermink]

I own both and I would recommend the Lamy 2k. Great writer and it hold a ton of ink. I like my VP, but I'm disappointed with CON-50 converter that comes with the pen. Does not hold much ink. Thank goodness I have a fine nib or I would be filling all the time.

 

A lot of people (myself included) prefer the CON-20 squeeze converter, if you can get your hands on one. The only disadvantage of it against the CON-50 is that it isn't clear, but then with the VP the metal sheath covers more or less the entire converter anyway, which negates that.

[AtomicLeo]

I own both and I would recommend the Lamy 2k. Great writer and it hold a ton of ink. I like my VP, but I'm disappointed with CON-50 converter that comes with the pen. Does not hold much ink. Thank goodness I have a fine nib or I would be filling all the time.

 

A lot of people (myself included) prefer the CON-20 squeeze converter, if you can get your hands on one. The only disadvantage of it against the CON-50 is that it isn't clear, but then with the VP the metal sheath covers more or less the entire converter anyway, which negates that.

 

 

Yep, I have a CON-20 sitting in my jetpens.com shopping cart waiting for my next order.

[Moynihan]

CON-20

 

Of course, i am also a Parker 51 user

[Nikhil]

On Black n' Red, the VP is as smooth as you can get, though I find myself using my 2000 more, but that may be because I got it a couple days ago.