Lamy 2000 Vs. Pilot Custom 74

[pixlr]

Pretty typical showdown. These are my two favorites and it's a bit odd in a way in how I've come to these two.

 

The Pilot Custom 74 looks good, but it's almost undeniable that it's not in the same class for appearance as the 2000. But strangely, that's why I'm drawn to it. In a school environment, I don't want it to get stolen by the hundreds of peers I'm constantly surrounded with. It can write well without showing off.

 

The Lamy 2000 looks absolutely gorgeous. One of my favorite looking pens of all time, not that I'm the first to say it. It's hard to buy a Custom 74 for the same price when the Lamy looks so great.

 

So it's up to how it writes (as it should be, I suppose). What are your thoughts on the two if you've have the privilege of comparing the two?

[Oranges and Apples]

I do not own a Lamy 2000 but I have handled it.

 

I own two Pilot Custom 74s clear demonstrators, one in a broad nib and one in a fine nib and the nibs is what keeps me coming back to Pilot fountain pens.

 

I have tried many brands of pens but if you're chasing a pen which is a joy to write with, Pilot would be my choice.

 

But if you're chasing the looks I'd still pick the Pilot Custom 74 but that's my taste. The design of the Lamy 2000 leaves more to be desired.

[mikehodgman]

Two great pens!!! I've had both and my vote would go for the Lamy by a hair. The looks are equal in my opinion and I would say the same about the nibs. A lot of people have had problems with the 2000 nib out of the box, but mine was wonderful the first time I wrote with it and the same with the Pilot. The more durable construction of the 2000 and the piston filler elevate the Lamy 2000 out of this matchup.

[Abner C. Kemp]

I've actually found the opposite. The Lamy 2000 is exceptionally well made and I personally love the looks of the pen but it very much flies under the radar. The hooded nib makes it so that most people can't distinguish it from a ballpoint and the matte black finish makes it fit in with the rest of the world. The 74 on the other hand comes in some kind of a transparent finish and it is well made enough that it will make people look. Plus, the 74 sports a pretty decent sized fountain pen nib coated in rhodium that definitely sticks out. I have used the Lamy 2000 in classes and haven't had one person ask me what kind of pen it was.

 

IMO, the Lamy 2000 is the better buy anyway. If you a student ink capacity is important and the 2000 holds a nice amount of ink with it's piston filler. The macrolon finish will also put up with a lot more wear. That being said, the 74 can be had on ebay for under $100 (the msrp is of ~$160 is kind of ridiculous) so there is a price difference.

[ravantra]

I have two of each. I have a Lamy 2000 with a medium and OB nibs and 74's in medium and bold. Love both pens. The 2000 is indestructible and can hold a lot of ink but does seem to have a more limited sweet spot for writing fast. The 74 does hold a lot of ink if used with a con 70 (about 1.1cc), looks great and is easy to write with. The nibs also have a little flex to them.

 

I can't pick one over the other. It's a tie. Get both!

 

Typo edit.

Edited February 21, 2014 by ravantra

[UDog]

I love the Custom 74. I once owned the Lamy 2000, but I found the grip section way too small, like hold a thin pencil. I sold it. For larger hands, the Custom 74 is nearly perfect.

[setriode]

I have both. The convex section on the Lamy is awkward to grip and hold without some slippage. Otherwise it is a fine pen and the nib leaves a distinct 'chiselled' line. However, the Pilot writes beautifully, the nib is wet, smooth, cushioned and soft, allows for more shading and easier to write with for long durations. The Lamy cap is easy to remove and good for making quick short & frequent notes.

 

Both are well built with the Lamy giving a slightly more 'solid' feel.

[Blueorb]

I might be in a minority here, but Lamy pens are some of the most ugly writing instruments available to my eyes. I just can't get past their appearance to even consider one.

 

Custom 74 for me or even better Custom 92

[ziptrickhead]

I have both and love both. They don't get much use anymore since I've since found other pens I prefer to use over the 2 but when I was using them I found I was using the Custom 74 more often. I found the nib wrote smoother, was easier to keep on the sweet spot of the nib, and was still comfortable in hand. Never had an issue with ink capacity compared with the piston fill of the Lamy 2000 since a con70 converter holds quite a bit of ink (and I think you could probably eyedropper it if you really wanted). You can also get the 74 for cheaper (~$100) if you order from Japan plus you can get the non-demo colors. My 2000 also liked to burp ink through the breather hole into the cap when I kept it in my pocket during the summer.

[Steven]

I like the Lamy 2000 for the following reasons:

1) The ink capacity of the piston filler with an X-Fine nibs yields a lot of written pages.

2) The Makrolon finish is very durable and over time has developed a nice patina.

3) I like the art-deco minimalist styling. This is not your father's fountain pen.

4) I like the hooded nib for it allows me to hold the pen closer to the nib tip.

5) The X-Fine nib wrote smooth and crisp right out of the box for me.

6) Over the many years I have owned this pen it has performed flawless.

[calhoun tubbs]

I have both pens and I prefer the Custom 74 over the 2000. I like the looks and styling of both pens, though they are polar opposites. It has been my experience that the 2000 flies under the radar whereas the Custom 74 seems to get more attention ( though I prefer to avoid attention when I can). The nib on the Custom 74 is better in my experience. I have to admit, that though I really enjoy piston fillers for the capacity and ease of filling, it just isn't enough for me to choose the 2000 over the Custom 74 when putting a pen in my bag. Well, that was the case until I got a Custom 92, and well, now that beats them both out. The capacity is nearly the same as the 2000 and the nib is just like that of Custom 74.

[tomkeb]

The Pilot would give you superior performance out of the box. But since you live in the US where there are many nibmeisters, you can easily go for the Lamy and have it adjusted in case of need.

[fphilipp]

I have both. If forced to keep only one, I would not hesitate for a second, I would hold on to the Lamy for all the reasons mentioned above. If you go for the Pilot, what you pay for is a good nib. If you buy the Lamy you go for a well designed, piston filled, intelligently engineered writing instrument, with a good nib. Just my opinion.

[vondauster]

Also have both, but as much as I like the 2000 for its undeniable character and ruggedness, I end up using the Custom 74 far more often. The 74 has the larger sweet spot, as has been mentioned, but the real issue for me is the shape of the 2000's section causes it to "drift" a little in my personal grip, meaning I'm constantly adjusting my grip. This gets in the way of writing anything longer than, say, a check. The pump-action Con 70 is also a definitely a cut above the average, piston, converter.

 

Will

[holgalee]

I like the custom heritage 91 and 92 pens. If you're not keen on attracting attention, the 91 in black with one of the 9 nib choices and a con-70 converter is the way to go. Search ebay for some reliable Japanese seekers and the price can be quite attractive!