Before I Purchase The Lamy 2000, Should I Consider Anything Else?

[lurker]

I've been saving my pennies and I want to make a "big" purchase. I keep eyeing the Lamy 2000. I've read the reviews, I've played around with the pen at a store and now I might pull the trigger and get it.

 

What other pens should I consider (in similar price range or cheaper) before I just decide an just purchase the 2000? Or should I just go for it and get the pen?

 

I own a Pilot VP and love it and a few Safaris and a TWSBI. Part of me does want to wait until TWSBI releases the colored 580's, but I'm getting impatient.

 

Thoughts?

[ddustinn]

http://i1199.photobucket.com/albums/aa461/ddustinlongg/Mobile%20Uploads/PHOTO_20131216_22541_edit_1387252574735.jpg

 

I would go for it.

[ac12]

A NICE Parker 51, it has a similar modern look, and it goes back to the 1950s.

Or a Parker Vacumatic, or a similar era Sheaffer.

But these are vintage pens, so it also depends if you want a modern or vintage pen.

[Blackhorse]

Have you considered the Pilot Falcon? I recently bought one (still inbound) and had strongly considered the L2K during my search process.

[PAKMAN]

Another vote for going for the 2000!

[Sasha Royale]

ac12 has good suggestions. I would add a Pelikan M215. So, get the LAMY 2000, now, because you like it. Then, get these others. If you love fountain pens, you are going to get these eventually. I did. It's nice to have a list.

 

Compile a list and watch for opportunities.

 

Joy to you. (and a tiny bit of madness)

[savingbirds]

Have you considered the Pilot Falcon? I recently bought one (still inbound) and had strongly considered the L2K during my search process.

Both are very nice pens, but they are for different intended uses. The Falcon is a decent modern almost semi-flex pen that is popular with many artists, while the 2K is more of an everyday workhorse pen that has nothing special in terms of writing experience, but does a good job at doing just that.

[Lyander0012]

Unless you want a flex pen (like the abovementioned Namiki/Pilot Falcon) or you're merely dissatisfied with the overall look of the Lamy 2000, I see no reason for you to get another pen in lieu of it. It's an excellent workhorse pen with a good ink capacity and a durable barrel and finish. If it sounds like I was quoting someone else, then that's just because you've probably already read any of a large number of reviews on the pen available online. For the most part, all these claims are true; the Lamy 2000 is a great writer that offers a buttery smooth nib-on-paper feel and a pleasant amount of spring to your writing, which adds a bit of what a lot of the members of this forum call "character". There's always the off-chance you'll end up with a nib that needs a bit of tuning out of the box, but that is neither an uncommon occurrence nor a particularly difficult task; new as I was to fountain pens at the time I got mine, I had no trouble whatsoever adjusting the flow and aligning the tines.

 

Then again, as mentioned above, there are a LOT of excellent vintage pens that you can get for less than the current MSRP of the Lamy 2000. You could get a Parker 51, which some would say is an even better pen than the 2000, or a more traditional-looking fountain pen, something along the lines of an Esterbrook J or Mabie Todd Self-Filler. In my experience, there are even quite a few user-grade Parker Duofolds and Sheaffer Imperials/PFMs/Targas to be had for sub-$200. Also, you could always just buy a vintage or used Lamy 2000 and save even more pennies in the process.

 

In the end, it comes down to what you want out of the pen you're eventually going to buy. a new Lamy 2000 probably won't perform any better than a used one, unless the used one has been horribly abused, but you have the satisfaction of watching the finish of your pen gradually change, whereas most of the currently available used 2000s are in all likelihood as shiny as a newly-polished marble floor. Lamy has excellent after-sales service, so I wouldn't really worry about buying a pen from them.

 

 

Cheers, and best of luck with the hunt!

 

Kevin

[Lyander0012]

[snip] If you love fountain pens, you are going to get these eventually. I did. It's nice to have a list.

 

Compile a list and watch for opportunities.

 

Joy to you. (and a tiny bit of madness) [/snip]

 

I agree with the first un-cut statement above. I never really expected to spend more than $200 on a pen, or that I'd eventually want to build up a collection as opposed to just buying pens for everyday use, but there you have it. There's something immensely fun about collecting and using fountain pens (especially ones with specialty/non-ballpoint nibs), since they each give a different writing experience and have different hand-feels. Of course, having a lot of pens with interesting design language helps. That latter statement applies mostly to celluloid, chased, or hand-painted pens and ones with special Japanese finishes like urushi, maki-e, chinkin, etc.

 

Oh, and if no one's said this yet:

 

Welcome to the FPN, and sorry about your wallet!

 

 

K.

[85AKbN]

The Lamy 2000 (Makrolon) was my second FP that I ordered while my Al-Star still was on the way. http://pics3.city-data.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

I liked the Al-Star right off and did extensive research. FP reviews (including ink and paper), and any FP 101 site, video, thread, post that I could lay my hands on so I could properly use / evaluate these FPs.

 

Lamy 2000. For me, I wanted a FP that was reliable, comfortable to write with, reasonably priced - re: bang for the buck, and of course looks, which goes without saying or I would not be looking at it! What got me with Lamy is it's history. I liked that Lamy was started by a former Parker sales representative- Josef Lamy. I liked the form follows function. I especially liked the generous ink capacity and 14K nib. I like that it is my perfect workhorse EDC (everyday carry) FP. I like reports that the makrolon ages well and forms a nice patina. I use my 2000 every single day.

 

Both 2000 and Al-Star were writers straight OOTB. I lucked out. Both are fine point nibs. So far, I've only used Noodler's black on any paper to include no-name 8.5X11, backs of envelopes, Rhodia pad, staples legal pad, etc. To date, I don't know what feathering or bleed through looks like. Knocks on wood.

 

I've gone down on road of collecting with other hobbies with very mature collections - collections that reached the point of cessation of buying and starting to sell. I could very well skip to the end game, stop with these two FPs, and call it good. Though I plan on getting good duplicates of both as spares. And that Omas 360 sure looks nice... http://pics3.city-data.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[hari317]

I've been saving my pennies and I want to make a "big" purchase. I keep eyeing the Lamy 2000. I've read the reviews, I've played around with the pen at a store and now I might pull the trigger and get it.

 

What other pens should I consider (in similar price range or cheaper) before I just decide an just purchase the 2000? Or should I just go for it and get the pen?

 

I own a Pilot VP and love it and a few Safaris and a TWSBI. Part of me does want to wait until TWSBI releases the colored 580's, but I'm getting impatient.

 

Thoughts?

How much is the 2000 going to cost you? depending on that, alternate suggestions can be made...

[Keyless Works]

There are several other pens that I prefer in your price range....

 

Aurora Ipsilon

Parker 51

Pilot Custom 74

Platinum 3776

Sailor 1911

 

That said the Lamy 2000 is a truly iconic pen (more so than any of the pens I listed) and it has a loyal following for good reason. You are more likely to get a good nib out of the box with the pens that I have recommended but if you buy the Lamy from a place where it's easy to return it shouldn't be an issue.

[Gump]

I picked up my 2000 with a broad nib at a decent price a few months back and just wans't impressed with the nib. I would almost call it a BB, which coupled with being a pretty wet writer led to a less than optimal experience for me. It is currently off being Pendletuned, and I think I will like it much better upon its return. The shape, balance and feel of the pen are wonderful, possibly just a less than optimal nib selection on my part.

 

Take a look at isellpens.com (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer), they list them for only a bit above what used units go for on auction sites.

[Sham69]

nothing will surpass the 2000 in its price range anyone who says anything else is wrong.

[85AKbN]

Take a look at isellpens.com (no affiliation, just a satisfied customer), they list them for only a bit above what used units go for on auction sites.

 

isellpens is out and no longer carries the Lamy 2000, per an e-mail from Todd. I don't see the Al-Star or Safari FPs either, so these may be phased out of inventory also? Too bad, because Todd included Z24 converters with the former two.

[Gump]

 

isellpens is out and no longer carries the Lamy 2000, per an e-mail from Todd. I don't see the Al-Star or Safari FPs either, so these may be phased out of inventory also? Too bad, because Todd included Z24 converters with the former two.

 

That is odd, they are still listed: http://www.isellpens.com/Lamy_2000_Fountain_Pen_Black_p/l01.htm

 

Todd may not have made his way around to taking them down though. In any case, he is always a good guy to do business with and very prompt to respond to inquiries.

[85AKbN]

That is odd, they are still listed: http://www.isellpens.com/Lamy_2000_Fountain_Pen_Black_p/l01.htm

 

Todd may not have made his way around to taking them down though. In any case, he is always a good guy to do business with and very prompt to respond to inquiries.

 

I missed that. He has 1 less for sale now. http://pics3.city-data.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Gump]

Glad to be of some assistance, enjoy.

[lurker]

I was going to reply to all of these suggestions individually but there are a lot of comments! Thank you for all the suggestions guys.

 

isellpens has the L2k priced a lot less than all the other websites. Whats up with that? That makes me curious.... I did go ahead and email Todd (is it?) and will see if he has anything in stock.

 

I want a new pen, so I will stay away from vintage pens. Keyless Works suggested a few Japanese pens, I have been considering a Pilot Custom 74, which he suggested. I feel I'll get that down the road.

 

Thanks again for all the suggestions. I'll keep an eye on this thread :-)

[lurker]

Just heard back from Todd, and he said he will not be carrying L2k's anymore. Sad, that price was a real steal!