Lamy 2000 Or Pilot Vanishing Point

[Verbose]

I'm trying to decide between getting a Lamy 2000 or a Pilot Vanishing Point. What pen would you choose/recommend?

I need a pen that can write for up to an hour at a time, comfortable to hold, and always with me.

I was thinking of the Vanishing Point because I don't have a pen that doesn't have a cap, and it seems convenient to not have to worry about losing a cap off a desk, or have it fall on the ground and crack. (I hate posting the cap.) I liked the Lamy 2k because of the design, but I herd it had two metal "ears" that the cap clicks onto that can get in the way of your fingers.

How does the Lamy 2k and VP F nib feel compared to the Lamy Al Star EF nib? I generally use Noodler's BPB on Rhodia paper. Does the clip ever get in the way of your fingers on the VP? It looks like it has finger indents like the Lamy Al Star, but I can't tell.

I wish there was a store here so I could try them out, it closed a few years and moved to across the state >_<

Thanks!

[Silvermink]

I'm trying to decide between getting a Lamy 2000 or a Pilot Vanishing Point. What pen would you choose/recommend?

I need a pen that can write for up to an hour at a time, comfortable to hold, and always with me.

 

That pretty much excludes the Vanishing Point right there - IMO, anyway.

 

The VP both holds a lot less ink and is, or was for me, a lot less comfortable to hold, especially for an extended period of time, due to the weird placement of the clip. I ended up trading mine away. It's okay as a quick notes-jotting pen, but for an extended writer I don't think it's a great choice.

 

I don't find the 2000's "ears" bother me at all - I don't even notice them - but YMMV.

[cubic archon]

On the other hand: the fact that the VP is a C/C filler means that it's much more convenient in a meeting or lecture situation. Also, Pilot cartridges are pretty huge.

 

I own both a VP and a 2K and I love them both. I think on balance the VP is a better "meeting pen". It's a _lot_ more convenient when taking notes to be able to just click the thing rather than have to recap it. For more extended writing, I prefer the 2K... the balance and feel are better (in fact the 2000 is almost magically well-balanced).

 

Regarding nibs, the 2K F is I think between a Safari EF and F. The VP's F nib is significantly smaller than the Safari EF, it's one of the finest nibs I own - it really is pretty spidery. The M that I have, on the other hand (I have two nib units for the VP) is around the size of a Safari M... a nice, comfortable, wet writer but not thin.

[GOB Bluth]

Having owned both and traded both of them away, I regret trading my VP.

[Tsujigiri]

I'd say the 2000. It writes well, is durable, and holds a lot of ink. It will last for a long time looking the same as the day you bought it. The piston is makrolon instead of brass, so the 2000 is also fairly lightweight, which is important for long writing sessions. The VP is really heavy, and has an odd grip. The metal ears on the 2000 are no problem at all for me, but some people hate them. It's tough to say which of these pens would be more comfortable for you since both have controversial grips.

[gillyohan]

I think if you are okay w the al star grip you will be fine with the vp clip. If you get a fine nib for the vp I think you will be okay for a couple hours of writing.

[Silvermink]

I think if you are okay w the al star grip you will be fine with the vp clip. If you get a fine nib for the vp I think you will be okay for a couple hours of writing.

 

FWIW, I find the AL-star/Safari grip perfectly comfortable. I don't think it's really comparable to the VP's.

[Verbose]

Thanks for everyones input.

The F VP doesn't feel toothy or scratchy to anyone does it?

I think a heavier pen will help build more endurance/dexterity.

[goodguy]

Here is a comparison review I wrote exactly for people like you who consider the VP vs the Lamy 2000.

I hope you will find it helpful.

 

Good luck and let us know what you chose.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/170673-lamy-2000-vs-pilot-vp/

Edited October 27, 2010 by goodguy

[eilu]

I own both and like both. I suggest you go to a B&M store and try them out to see which you like, as it's all a matter of personal choice.

[eilu]

browser hiccup, double post. Ignore this one.

Edited October 27, 2010 by eilu

[Verbose]

@goodguy, thanks for the link. This should be helpful.

 

@eilu, B&M store?

[gillyohan]

I guess I should have added "in my own personal experience". My grip was the same for both and I was fine with them.

 

I think if you are okay w the al star grip you will be fine with the vp clip. If you get a fine nib for the vp I think you will be okay for a couple hours of writing.

 

FWIW, I find the AL-star/Safari grip perfectly comfortable. I don't think it's really comparable to the VP's.

[watch_art]

b&m = brick and mortar. a real building to walk into.

 

i own both and prefer the l2k. i like the matte finish very much. my ef l2k nib is WAY finer than my vp fine nib. i fixed a vp f nib for an FPNer a few months ago and it was WAAAY finer than my fine. my fine isn't very fine actually... hmm...

 

but the retractable thing is fun. my nose cone broke and now my clip swings side to side a LOT. so... but i don't think that happens too often. i need to do something about that....

 

the balance on both is good but i like the lamy better. and posted, too. either way it just feels better in my hand. and those metal ears are quite nice actually. act as a guide, sort of like the grip on the safari, for where to hold the pen for the best nib to paper contact.

[Silvermink]

i own both and prefer the l2k. i like the matte finish very much. my ef l2k nib is WAY finer than my vp fine nib. i fixed a vp f nib for an FPNer a few months ago and it was WAAAY finer than my fine. my fine isn't very fine actually... hmm...

 

Lamy's nib widths on the 2000 seem to be inconsistent at best. My EF is what I'd call a fine on any other Western pen.

[Breck]

I've had 3 VPs (including one decimo), and now own none, and have no plans to get another.

 

I've had 3 L2Ks and now own 2. When I sold the first one, instantly regretted it, ordered another online almost the next day, couldn't wait for it to arrive, went down to the b&m pen store and bought another one.

 

Any questions?

 

 

 

More specifically:

 

The VP is far too heavy for me, and the ink capacity is a joke. Plus, nib creep tends to spread all over the inside of the barrel if you're not careful. The decimo I had fell apart in my pocket, leaving me with only a clip. On the plus side, the Pilot nibs are excellent.

 

The L2K has huge ink capacity and is just the right shape, size, and weight for me. It's insanely durable, to boot. The only minus I can come up with is that sometimes (rarely) I'd like to write with the cap posted, but doing so throws off the balance for me.

[inkpenguin]

I compared a Fine vs my EF a few days back and found it hard to tell the difference. It is possible that a Fine would feel smoother, but then again my EF feels pretty good also and is smooth enough that I can also write pretty quickly if needed.

 

No worries about the Lamy 2000 drying out and I like the comfort of a slightly wider barrel.

[Verbose]

You guys are awesome, thanks for all your advice so far!

Theres sadly no B&M store within reasonable driving distance of where I am :c

Is the weight of the VP similar to the Rotring 600?

[watch_art]

The L2K has huge ink capacity and is just the right shape, size, and weight for me. It's insanely durable, to boot. The only minus I can come up with is that sometimes (rarely) I'd like to write with the cap posted, but doing so throws off the balance for me.

 

REALLY? I thought it felt so much better with the cap posted. I mean, it's great either way, but posting lets me hold it back a little farther and it's juuust perfect.

[Verbose]

I'd agree with Breck about posting any cap, it makes the pen all wonky.