Lamy 2000 - understated but much appreciated

[Elisablue]

Oh dear , this is indeed a *frightening* sight !!! :blink:

 

 

*gulp*

 

what has Lamy to say about this ??

[gds]

To me they just said "Here is your new pen", when I returned it to them. I've always found Lamy's service to be really outstanding (and the original reason I posted was to reassure Philip that Lamy should indeed repair this under their warranty).

 

I doubt that there's anything very significant in the fact that two of us has similar-sounding problems. The 2000 is a very popular pen, and it's been around for a long time. If there was a design or recurring materials fault then I'm sure that we would hear about it a lot more and none of my other 2000's have ever hinted at this sort of problem (yes, I have more than one. I really like the 2000 )

[Juan in Andalucia]

The Lamy 2000 has become my main pen since I got it. I like it so much that I've got 4 of them (3 Fnib, 1XF nib), although I only use one of them; the other 3 are spares.

 

Juan

[Elisablue]

To me they just said "Here is your new pen", when I returned it to them. I've always found Lamy's service to be really outstanding (and the original reason I posted was to reassure Philip that Lamy should indeed repair this under their warranty).

 

I doubt that there's anything very significant in the fact that two of us has similar-sounding problems. The 2000 is a very popular pen, and it's been around for a long time. If there was a design or recurring materials fault then I'm sure that we would hear about it a lot more and none of my other 2000's have ever hinted at this sort of problem (yes, I have more than one. I really like the 2000 )

 

ouf as we say here ...

 

I've been scrutinizing my Lamy 2000 since I read your post , expecting it to crack open any minute with a dreadful sound ...

 

If it happens I know I can send the remains to Lamy and they'll send me another one. Cool. I would prefer it to stay in one piece , though ... :blink:

You have more than one 2000 ? I can understand that . I'm quite tempted to get another one too, with a fine nib.

Edited May 10, 2009 by Elisablue

[MYU]

It's curious... on the one hand, the Makrolon material used in this pen is supposed to be a very sturdy material.

 

However, Lamy has discovered issues with it. At one point early on, they used to stamp "Lamy 2000" in the cap, near the bottom edge. They stopped doing this because sometimes cracks would emanate from the stamping. I have also known some people have weathered Lamy 2000 pens where the Makrolon had been exposed to the elements (usually frequent exposure to direct sunlight) and developed a brownish hue, to later succumb to cracking. I believe this was with older examples.

 

There are some inherent issues with the way Lamy uses Makrolon in making the 2000 pen. From what I gather, very small air bubbles can become trapped inside the walls. If enough of them form in the right pattern, the Makrolon can become weak and eventually crack under the right conditions. I've never seen such a bad example of it, as gds supplied in their photos. Naturally, this is a materials defect and accordingly Lamy replaces the pen without question.

 

I don't think it's something every Lamy 2000 owner should fret about. Also remember that this pen has been sold for over 40 years. If there was a high incident of defects, they'd probably be forced to retire the pen due to customer service costs erasing profits. Lastly, it could very well be that Lamy has already addressed this problem and that it's a matter of some older pens that may suffer cracking. It's just a guess on my part. But I have learned that Lamy hasn't abandoned making improvements on the 2000. Recently, I saw a photograph where the entire brushed steel part of the section had been extended to the area where the breather hole is, skipping that "sliced" look of makrolon and brushed metal joined together.

[Elisablue]

Thank you MYU : very documented and interesting answer .

 

Lamy 2000 is indeed a very "tactile" pen (as well as a "visual" pen). So I like to know what's going on inside or what could go on inside .

If this makes any sense to anybody ...

 

[Limerick]

Hey one little question to all friends of the 2000 - I think I've done something seriously wrong with the piston, could that be? The 2000 should hold much ink I have read but mine does only hold enough ink for 8 Din A4 pages - I've never experienced this with a cartridge! As I have to write exams with 20+ pages I'm going to worry ... or is it again the ink? PR ink tends to flow very well but I haven't experienced my pen being overly wet wen using PR ink.

 

By the way my ink problem has disappeared. Without changing the ink. I'm wondering why.

[Louis Chen]

Hello!

 

I've just ordered a Lamy 2000 EF, after reading all the reviews I can find online. I have only one pen that I bought 3 weeks ago and it's a Lamy Studio Steel EF.

 

I like it so much so I thought a 2000 should be even better

[Neill78]

I like it so much so I thought a 2000 should be even better

 

should will be even better!

 

But also very different!

[fenriz]

That was a fantastic review!

 

The Lamy 2000 is an excellent pen and a screaming value. It also has the smoothest nib I've experienced. It actually puts my Viscontis to shame :blink: . The smooth brushed steel section wipes off easily with no mess when filling, unlike my beloved Van Goghs. This is also the most comfortable pen I own, and I don't even find the M nib to be too broad. I got the M knowing about the 2000s running a size large and was planning to have it ground to something more interesting, but now that I've got it, it's way too smooth and luscious to have anyone mess with it.

 

I did miss one bit in your review- I'm picky and had a hard time with the 2000 at first. The first one I got was an EF, but there was something wrong with the feed and the nib so I sent it back. The nib was an odd shape and it skipped, also had uneven flow. I had a chance to get a M, but the body of the pen was lighter than the EF I'd returned. The makrolon had a chalky look to it. Since I've got a real thing for black, I didn't get it. Long story short, it was two more tries before I got one that wasn't very chalky or discolored. Here's the thing: the one I finally got did look a little chalky, with lighter striations especially on the cap, but I remembered reading somewhere that these pens attain a patina with repeated use. So I tried (this is a little gross- sorry!) wiping just a little nose grease on the cap, then buffing it off. It worked! So if you're a stickler for black, just oil the pen a tiny bit, then buff it with a soft cloth, and voila! You'll get a regular, even tone, and your pen will be black as night. If I weren't gross, I'd probably use something light and neutral, like mineral oil. Just a drop or two on a cotton ball would do it.

[Juan in Andalucia]

That was a fantastic review!

 

The Lamy 2000 is an excellent pen and a screaming value. It also has the smoothest nib I've experienced. It actually puts my Viscontis to shame :blink: . The smooth brushed steel section wipes off easily with no mess when filling, unlike my beloved Van Goghs. This is also the most comfortable pen I own, and I don't even find the M nib to be too broad. I got the M knowing about the 2000s running a size large and was planning to have it ground to something more interesting, but now that I've got it, it's way too smooth and luscious to have anyone mess with it.

 

I did miss one bit in your review- I'm picky and had a hard time with the 2000 at first. The first one I got was an EF, but there was something wrong with the feed and the nib so I sent it back. The nib was an odd shape and it skipped, also had uneven flow. I had a chance to get a M, but the body of the pen was lighter than the EF I'd returned. The makrolon had a chalky look to it. Since I've got a real thing for black, I didn't get it. Long story short, it was two more tries before I got one that wasn't very chalky or discolored. Here's the thing: the one I finally got did look a little chalky, with lighter striations especially on the cap, but I remembered reading somewhere that these pens attain a patina with repeated use. So I tried (this is a little gross- sorry!) wiping just a little nose grease on the cap, then buffing it off. It worked! So if you're a stickler for black, just oil the pen a tiny bit, then buff it with a soft cloth, and voila! You'll get a regular, even tone, and your pen will be black as night. If I weren't gross, I'd probably use something light and neutral, like mineral oil. Just a drop or two on a cotton ball would do it.

 

 

Normal use will attain the same patina; the skin oils from your hands (aka "sweat") and wear will give you that patina. I'd say the 2000 is a pen with almost instant wasi-sabi.

[Ed Ronax]

Excellent review, thanks.

[Louis Chen]

<!--quoteo(post=1082720:date=Jun 2 2009, 09:10 PM:name=Louis Chen)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Louis Chen @ Jun 2 2009, 09:10 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1082720"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I like it so much so I thought a 2000 should be even better <img src="https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /><!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

 

<strike>should</strike> <b><i>will </i></b>be even better! <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/thumbup.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="thumbup.gif" />

 

But also very different!

 

Yes! I have been using the pen for about 6 months now, and it's certainly much better than the Studio Steel, I also like it more than my Pelikan M600

 

Only "problem" I had was the EF I bought wasn't writing smoothly, so I sent it back to Germany and got a F instead. Now the Lamy 2000 is my favourite pen!

[flamesofanor]

My L2k developed the dreaded crack yesterday.

 

Details and pictures can be found at this thread:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php?/topic/141150-crack-in-lamy-2000/

[watsoncb]

I got my L2k with an EF nib in the mail today. $100 delivered to my home in Virginia from PenGallery.

 

It looks great, but I am so confused on how to fill it. Do I dip the pen in the ink well and then turn the fill knob counter-clockwise until it stops, then take the pen out of the ink well? Turn the fill cap clockwise until it is flush with the pen.....

 

Or turn the fill knob counter-clockwise until it stops and then dip the pen into the ink well turning the fill know clockwise until it is flush with the pen.

 

I did look at the Lamy directions and yes I should know better.

Edited January 30, 2010 by watsoncb

[Anton Emdin]

Hi Watsoncb,

 

It's the second way you've described...

 

 

1) Turn the piston counter-clockwise until it stops

2) Submerge the nib up to the section into your ink

3) Turn the piston clockwise until it stops. It should be flush with the pen now

4) You may want to repeat the procedure (with nib still dipped) to make sure there are no air bubbles.

5) Remove/clean

6) Some people turn the piston counter-clockwise again to let a few drops out, then turn the pen so the nib is facing the ceiling and tighten clockwise.

 

Have fun with the L2K... I love mine.

 

 

 

Cheers,

Anton

Edited January 30, 2010 by Anton Emdin

[watsoncb]

My brand new Lamy 2000 has a problem, it is bleeding out ink at the seam between the silver nib portion and the black makrolon/plastic portion. This is below the larger seam where the two metal ears are located.

 

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q268/Watsoncb/L2K_Leak.jpg

 

I literally just got the pen in the last week. It is filled bith Diamine Majestic Blue, so I do not think it is due to cheap ink. Which got all over me today while taking notes during a meeting.

 

Has anyone encounter this?

 

Any ideas would be great.... I'm going to switch back to my Namiki Falcon.

Edited February 4, 2010 by watsoncb

[Anton Emdin]

I've seen reports of this happening. Mine sweats from the "U" shaped bit near the breather hole, but it doesn't bother me.

 

Send it back right now and they will fix or replace it for you. Lamy service is pretty good I hear.

[tanburi]

Hmm... So many problems.

Edited February 4, 2010 by tanburi

[shrinknib]

My brand new Lamy 2000 has a problem, it is bleeding out ink at the seam between the silver nib portion and the black makrolon/plastic portion. This is below the larger seam where the two metal ears are located.

 

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q268/Watsoncb/L2K_Leak.jpg

 

I literally just got the pen in the last week. It is filled bith Diamine Majestic Blue, so I do not think it is due to cheap ink. Which got all over me today while taking notes during a meeting.

 

Has anyone encounter this?

 

Any ideas would be great.... I'm going to switch back to my Namiki Falcon.

 

Hi watsoncb

check out post by flamesofanor 29/1/10 about which link to the thread.

His problem was different but your pen has a fault and Lamy will replace it for free or repair it for free.

As you have purchased the pen recently you could ask your retailer to send it on your behalf...if you trust them :unsure: :unsure: