Lamy 2000 Vs Pilot Custom 74 Vs Pilot Vanishing Point

[vicki92]

Hello!I have been lurking around these forums for some time, though this is my first post. I'm starting my graduate studies in September, and I would like a new (functional) pen to go along with it. There are a few I am considering and am certainly open to suggestions as well. The budget is about $200/£110 and I don't want anything vintage. As I will be using it for note talking and essay compositions, it needs to have a fine or (preferably) extra fine nib so hat it won't make a mess on cheap paper. I must be able to post the pen if it has a cap. I have been most considering a pilot custom 74 with a fine nib, a Pilot vanishing point, or a Lamy 2000 with an extra fine nib, but I am certainly open to and most appreciative of suggestions/advice.

 

During my undergraduate studies I used a Lamy Safari in extra fine for note taking. I wish the nib was a bit less stiff but they otherwise performed well and did not make a mess of notes or exams. I am now ready for a major upgrade to this pen. I also currently use a Platinum preppy for field work (archaeology) and will continue to do so.

 

In my collection I also have:

 

Parker 25, but I find that it writes too dry and the feed can't always keep up with me. It's okay with wetter ink, but just okay.

 

Parker 51, by far my favourite pen as it writes incredibly smoothly, but I find the nib a bit broad for everyday use.

 

Pelikan Pelikano in Fine which is a good writer but it can't be sturdily posted and it doesn't look vey professional.

 

Noodler's Flex pen, which is fun but too wet to be practical.

 

A few Bic Easy Clicks from my high school days, that are fine pens for the price, but a bit small for serious writing, and are only cartridge fill and I really prefer bottle filling.

 

And several cheap Chinese (mostly Hero brand) fountain pens, none of which have really wowed me, and some other less than $50/£30 pens that are just no good or are better suited for calligraphy.

 

At any rate, most of the pens I have owned have been in the budget category and I'm ready to move into a nicer category of pen. There is only one pen store near me but they aren't very knowledgable and they won't always take a return, even if the pen is defective, so I would prefer to order online. I'm just not sure which way I should go; the Lamy 2000, the Pilot Custom 74, the Pilot Vanishing Point or something else.

 

I like the idea of the Lamy 2000 as my current favourite pen is also a Lamy, however I tend to hold my pens higher up and I'm worried the two dots to keep the cap on might bother me.

 

I have reservations about both Pilot pens as the only experience I have with Pilot pens have been the V-pens/varsity pens, which are quite a bit too broad for my small hand writing. I'm not sure if the fine would be fine enough or if I should get the the extra fine on the Vanishing point. As they are Japanese, I'm worried that the extra fine might be too fine (I have some Chinese pens that are too fine) but then some people's reviews have said that the pilot nibs are more similar to European sizes.

 

So basically I'm not sure which way I should go, or if there may be some other pen that would be better suited for my needs. If you've read this far, thank-you very much for putting up with my rambling. And thank-you in advance for your suggestions.

Edited May 31, 2014 by vicki92

[maverink]

for a budget of $200 pilot custom 74/91( C/C filler) or pilot custom 92( piston filler) check out the rakuten mkt place, ebay

[martinbir]

I have no experience of the Pilots you are considering but am amazed by my Lamy 2000. It has a medium nib so fatter than you want but it just seems to have been perfectly designed for writing.

 

Comfortable for long stints but always seems to come to hand for quick notes and the nib starts right away even after 30 mins uncapped. I find myself wondering how no one else has equalled the practicality of the design in half a century. My biggest regret is that so many other pens now lie unused since the 2000 keeps getting picked.

 

Of course that is only my view. No doubt others will think differently.

[MBFan]

I have both the L2K (broad nib) and Pilot VP (fine nib). As a student, I would highly recommend the Pilot VP as they are very robust pens, and they have a distinct quality feel and look to them. The VP fine is perfect for note taking, although I haven't really used it on cheap paper.

 

The L2K is a great pen, but I hate fumbling with lids during lectures or when in the lab

[dneal]

I have a Lamy 2000 in F. It's a great writer, buttery smooth, but very firm. If you don't like the stiff nib of a Safari, you won't like the 2000.

 

The only reason to get a vanishing point is for the click mechanism. I don't like the clip being in the middle of what becomes the section as you hold the pen.

 

As for other options, there is simply a lot in that price range. The Pilot's already mentioned along with others like the Falcon. The nibs are all going to be similar. Based on your post, I think a Japanese Fine nib is going to meet your requirements.

 

I would also point out that there are other Japanese brands available, like Sailor. A 1911 mid-size is in your range, or you could stretch a little for the large. There's also the Sapporo at the same price (basically the same pen with flat ends.

[lzykramer]

Lamy 2000 in my opinion.

[rochester21]

I liked more the extra fine nib on the lamy 2000 than the soft fine nib on the custom 74. Also, it seems that the 2000 rested better in the hand. The custom 74 is slightly bigger, but seems a little less well built than the lamy.

 

Although i really don`t fancy german pens, i would probably choose the lamy in this case. It should retain it`s value better than the pilot as well. If you really don`t like it, you should be able to resell it with minimum loss.

 

Design-wise, the lamy has a cold, german industrial look, whilst the pilot looks basically like an oversized sheaffer balance. And the VP is just ugly- although pretty practical.

Don`t forget that both pilot and lamy seem to have occasional quality control issues with their nibs.

Edited May 31, 2014 by rochester21

[Algester]

you dont like Vintage but Lamy 2000's design is what you can already classify as "vintage" LOL... mmm Pilot?...

[rochester21]

The lamy design is not vintage, it`s a modern classic, much like the design of the pilot, but for a different reason- the pilot recreates the looks of 1930-1940s pens, but uses c/c system and modern materials. The lamy 2000 is pretty old, but was designed(at least to my eyes) to look very modern by 1960s standards. Even the name "2000" is futuristic.

Edited May 31, 2014 by rochester21

[parnesh]

I would suggest the OP try the pens out before making a decision. I have one of each (or variants CH92 instead of CH74) of the pens and I really like them for various different reasons.

 

The VP just can not be beat for ease of use. The nibs are great and the nibs have a hint of spring plus there is give in the mechanism. The CH74 has a huge variety of awesome nibs and pilot quality is top notch. They also take the Con-70 converter which mean decent capacity. The pen is light however. Now if you like safari EF, you probably want a pilot F or even an FM.

 

The L2K is something else if you like it's aesthetics. However I would encourage you to try a F/EF nib. I rotate my pens counter clockwise slightly and the "vintage" cut on the finer Lamy 2000 nibs really are not good for this.

[parnesh]

you dont like Vintage but Lamy 2000's design is what you can already classify as "vintage" LOL... mmm Pilot?...

 

 

I would call it timeless. It didn't look out of place in the 60's and does not now.

[Blue_Moon]

Ive got an L2K and a VP, and I would recommend the Pilot every time. My L2K has only been inked once. It had hard starts, and those two dots, you mentioned, do bother me. As for Pilot pens, don't judge all Pilots by the Varsity. If I remember correctly, I think they are medium nibs. My VP writes like a dream. I would recommend that you hold one befits buying, because the pen clip is uncomfortable to some people. It doesn't bother most people, but do try it before you buy. I've got several Pilots, and I would heartily recommend any Pilot pen.

Edited June 1, 2014 by Blue_Moon

[dunhamsa]

All three are wonderful. I would suggest trying out each, but would personally tend toward either of the Pilots. Their fine nibs are narrower than the Lamy and generally a pleasure with which to write.

[Blue_Moon]

As for other suggestions, I strongly recommend Italix Parson's Essential and Models number 02 or 03 by Franklin-Christoph. However, you can't go wrong with a Pilot.

[dspeers58]

The Pilot VP is a great pen, and for a relatively cheap price ($50-$70), you can get another nib, eg Bold, Extra Fine, or even as I have a Stub and a Cursive Italic ground by Richard Binder etc. It is a great writer and very practical for taking notes etc.I have the Lamy 2000 and the VP. The 2000 rarely gets used.

[Keyless Works]

I would pick the VP and have the nib tuned. Make sure you are okay with the clip on the grip section and the heavier weight.

 

The Lamy 2000 is definitely the best looking of the group but for school you can't really beat a VPs usability.

[andymcc]

I have a Custom 74 with soft fine nib and a Lamy 2000 with extra fine nib, both pens are great but for note taking I'd go for the Lamy as the EF nib on mine is incredibly smooth and keeps up with even fast writing, the large ink capacity would also suit long writing sessions. I was worried that the Lamy nib might be too wide but I was pleasantly surprised that it is a good western EF.

 

The two metal bumps on the 2000 were a concern I had before buying one but I actually like them as they help me position the pen at the correct angle to write, the barrel is so smooth and round that having a quick way of positioning the nib is a big help, they don't bother me in the least but as we're all different you may find them annoying.

I don't post the Lamy 2000 as I like a lighter pen but the cap does post securely if you prefer posting.

[writebyhand]

If you don't mind the modern look and fiberglass construction, I recommend the Lamy 2000. It is clearly the toughest and most durable of the three. It's a solid piston filler and has no cartridge or converter that could come loose; plus it has great ink capacity. I have all three of the pens you mentioned and I recommend the Lamy 2000.

 

I have the "Fine" nib Lamy 2000 – it's a fairly generous inkflow. I think you are righ to consider the "EF."

[setriode]

I have no experience of the VP.

 

The Lamy 2000 is an excellent pen but its convex barrel/section is not very easy to grip and tends to slip. For this reason I don't use it for extensive note-taking sessions. The nib is hard but has very nice line definition.

 

The Custom 74 is very easy to grip and outstanding for long note-taking sessions. My primary reason for using it is the cushioned and soft feel when the nib hits the paper. This is comforting and luxurious at the same time. Writing with it gives a great deal of pleasure.

 

While it isn't on your list a Pelikan 200 is very light, has some of the soft feel of the Custom 74 and holds lots of ink as a piston filler. It is noticeably thinner to grip than the others but this doesn't seem to get in the way of a pleasant writing 'feel' and experience. In some ways its weight and think section feel somewhat like writing with a wooden pencil.

[vicki92]

you dont like Vintage but Lamy 2000's design is what you can already classify as "vintage" LOL... mmm Pilot?...

It's not that I don't like vintage, my favourite pen is my Parker 51. However, I guess what I should have said is that I would prefer something in current production. With vintage pens, one can never how well they were taken care of, and so it's often a gamble. And if I were to get a vintage pen that I loved, and heaven for bid it were to get lost at university, it could be very difficult to replace. If a pen in current production were to get lost, while I'd be out a considerable sum of money, I know that I could replace it with the same pen and expect that it will write extremely similarity to the last. I love the vintage look though.

 

I'd love to try the pens out before I buy, but the only stationary/pen store in my area is very poor and they don't carry Pilot products. I'm really stuck on line.

 

Thank-you for all of your input. I appreciate it very much, and will look into the other pens mentioned as well.