Calling All Lamy 2000 Skeptics (Current and Former)

[Calabria]

Seems to me that the OP has his answer. I have a few L2Ks, also the steel Edition 2000 and the blue Bauhaus. I’m obviously a fan, but oddly the design seems a bit drab to me just now. It’s not really simpatico or charming but seems rather strict and dogmatic. I’m from Germany btw and recognize a bit of German Besserwisserei (know-it-all) in the design.

[MuddyWaters]

On 12/20/2020 at 8:04 PM, AL01 said:

 

 I owned two 2000s.

 

 One fitted with a F nib and another with an EF.

 

 I found the nib unsatisfying to use and didn't enjoy the weirdness that I felt when experiencing it's architect's grind.

 

 However, the nib did work well and I did not notice any odd sweet-spot.

 

 I also found the pen's shape mildly comfortable; it could be used for a fair period of time, but quite frankly I prefer the feel of a traditional pen that has a non-existent step and no metal decorations near the the section, etc.

 

 You should try the pen out, because I am pickier than most when it comes to fountain pen preferences.

 

Does the f nib also have an architect grind? 

 

I have found the ef nib to be more forgiving than my m nib, but I dislike the architect grind of the ef. I wonder if the f would be a happy middle ground. 

[es9]

Like others, I have a love-hate relationship with this pen.  From design and aesthetic perspectives, I love it.  I wanted a pen I could use in a variety of settings that was understated and would not draw attention.  It fulfilled that mission perfectly.  However, I have yet to find a nib that works well for me.  The medium was extremely smooth, but put down too much ink for me to use it on cheaper paper.  I opted for a fine which, for my hand, was perfectly mediocre.  It was not scratchy per se, but it was also not smooth.  After spending too much time with micro-mesh, I finally got it pretty smooth, but it (expectedly) ended up closer to a medium.  I refuse to be defeated, though, so it is currently with a well-known nib specialist who can hopefully improve it.  

 

I recall reading somewhere that the design of the tip is notably different on this pen -- more flat than ball-like.  Perhaps that explains why many find this pen fickle.  In any event, I am certainly not blaming the pen.  I knew what I was getting myself into and did not expect this to write like butter out of the box.  

[AL01]

14 hours ago, MuddyWaters said:

 

Does the f nib also have an architect grind? 

 

I have found the ef nib to be more forgiving than my m nib, but I dislike the architect grind of the ef. I wonder if the f would be a happy middle ground. 

 

 Yes; the F and EF nibs possess an architect's grind. According to LAMY, the M nib is rounded. I have written with a B nibbed 2000 as well, and according to LAMY, the B and wider nibs are stub-like. I personally liked the B nibbed 2000 the most... (I usually prefer finer nibs, but I feel that other companies do them better, as always, YMMV.)

 

EDITS: Gramma', as always.

[vivdunstan]

I thought the look wasn’t great, and didn’t think I’d like it at all. I bought anyway, needing a solid piston filler pen. It turned out to be a delight to hold, vanishing into the hand, and a thoroughly reliable writer. I still think the look is too modernist for me, but I’m ignoring that in happy use. P.S. I wasn’t able to try it in person before buying, so I really did take a gamble. It paid off

[ExcaliburZ]

On 12/21/2020 at 2:29 AM, Checklist said:

Thanks, lucraak.  I hadn't seen many pictures of a 2000 with some mileage on it.  I really like how it "ages"; makes me want it more, if I actually use it regularly, along with my 8 other pens.  How long did it take to get that way?

That is really shinny, but say 4 to 6 months depending on use. Like leather it is effected by use and the oils in your hands.

[senzen]

It ticks many boxes for me, just can't stand the looks of hooded nibs; but for this the recent blue one looks spectacular, at a price I wouldn't even consider, and the rumored brown one also looks nice.

[lucraak]

On 1/1/2021 at 1:10 AM, ExcaliburZ said:

That is really shinny, but say 4 to 6 months depending on use. Like leather it is effected by use and the oils in your hands.

Yes it is like leather but I have the old pen for several years (at least more than 10 and bought it 2nd hand). I dont think it should take 10+ years but 4-6 months of heavy use might be a tad short. On the other hand, the really matte (gray-ish) finish is gone quite quickly.

[carlos.q]

On 12/24/2020 at 1:24 AM, AL01 said:

Yes; the F and EF nibs possess an architect's grind.

My own rather limited experience does not reflect this. I have 2 Lamy 2000 pens with fine nibs and they both have the square cut stubbish nib. I haven't tried an EF nib so I can't comment on those. 

[es9]

6 minutes ago, carlos.q said:

My own rather limited experience does not reflect this. 

 

Same here (re fine, at least)

[Pointyscratchy]

I haven't come on this topic to be argumentative, but I am curious.

 

I've being trying out my various nibs at small handwriting.I have ef's and find the 2k the best.

 

Reading this topic I picked up on comments about the ef being an architect grind.Ahh, I thought that must be the secret sauce that makes it better than the others.The pilot falcon ef is very good but scratchy for instance.

 

So I google architect grind;

An architect nib is a nib that is (to simplify drastically) shaped like a “|” causing to write thin on the downstroke and thick on the cross-stroke. An italic nib is essentially a type of stub nib (shaped like “-“) that writes thick on the downstroke and thin in the cross-stroke.21 Jun 2020

 

Armed this did a few strokes.My pen is thicker on the down stroke and thinner on the across, which according to this would make it an italic.Any thoughts? 

[silverlifter]

7 minutes ago, Pointyscratchy said:

Armed this did a few strokes.My pen is thicker on the down stroke and thinner on the across, which according to this would make it an italic.Any thoughts? 

 

This is fairly typical for the L2K. Their grinds, across the point sizes, tend to be stubbish. 

 

The only Architect grinds on L2Ks I have heard of are aftermarket alterations by nibsmiths, or enthusiastic amateurs.

[Checklist]

1 hour ago, lucraak said:

I dont think it should take 10+ years but 4-6 months of heavy use might be a tad short.

 

I thought that it would take several years.  Don't think I'd use enough to get that wear soon, since I like to rotate which pens I use.

 

On 12/31/2020 at 3:04 PM, vivdunstan said:

I thought the look wasn’t great, and didn’t think I’d like it at all. I bought anyway, needing a solid piston filler pen. It turned out to be a delight to hold, vanishing into the hand, and a thoroughly reliable writer. I still think the look is too modernist for me, but I’m ignoring that in happy use. P.S. I wasn’t able to try it in person before buying, so I really did take a gamble. It paid off

I'm hoping for (and somewhat expecting) a similar result for me.  I'm attracted by the piston fill and how it's said to write, but not sure about the design.  Bad writing performance will ruin my opinion of a pen; maybe good writing will make up for any qualms about the design. 

 

Now, to save up for one and to finish the project that I'm commemorating with this pen...

[A Smug Dill]

1 hour ago, Pointyscratchy said:

My pen is thicker on the down stroke and thinner on the across, which according to this would make it an italic.

 

Generalising loosely, yes.

 

1 hour ago, Pointyscratchy said:

Any thoughts? 

 

Apparently, then, there is inconsistency in Lamy's nib finishing for its most ‘iconic’ pen model.

 

1 hour ago, silverlifter said:

The only Architect grinds on L2Ks I have heard of are aftermarket alterations by nibsmiths, or enthusiastic amateurs.

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/351043-brief-comparison-of-various-lamy-extra-fine-nibs-output/

 

[inkstainedruth]

I like the look of Lamy 2000s -- but the ones I've tried have been too heavy for my hand.  As with most pens, it's a case of YMMV.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

[vivdunstan]

1 hour ago, inkstainedruth said:

I like the look of Lamy 2000s -- but the ones I've tried have been too heavy for my hand.  As with most pens, it's a case of YMMV.

Definitely a YMMV! I’m female, with a neurological disease and huge hand control problems as a result. I find my Lamy 2000 one of the feather lightest pens to use. I’m always picking up my pen case with it and thinking the pen isn’t in there 😜

 

It’s maybe worth clarifying here that the original Makrolon version is 15g body and 10g cap. By contrast the stainless steel version is vastly heavier at 34g body and 20g cap. I’d hate to use the latter. Just clarifying though that Lamys come in different weights, and the main model is the lighter one.

[AL01]

15 hours ago, carlos.q said:

My own rather limited experience does not reflect this. I have 2 Lamy 2000 pens with fine nibs and they both have the square cut stubbish nib. I haven't tried an EF nib so I can't comment on those. 

 

15 hours ago, es9 said:

 

Same here (re fine, at least)

 

 I do remember looking at the tipping of both nibs. They were longer in length than they were in width.

 

 Here is a crappy picture from some time ago showing the tipping on my "F" nibbed 2000:

 

 

 

 The shape of the nib resulted in broader cross strokes than downstrokes.

 

 

13 hours ago, A Smug Dill said:

 

Generalising loosely, yes.

 

 

Apparently, then, there is inconsistency in Lamy's nib finishing for its most ‘iconic’ pen model.

 

 

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/351043-brief-comparison-of-various-lamy-extra-fine-nibs-output/

 

 

 

 Unfortunately Lamy's QC has never been up to snuff anyways, (IME)... 

 

 (After a few Safaris, 2 2000s, and a stainless steel Studio.)

 

 EDITS: Gramma', as always.

[MuddyWaters]

Thanks for the picture of your tipping AL01.

 

I would be surprised if there are major differences between the individual pens that are produced by Lamy's automated machines. Probably there is more variance between what people expect of their pen than between pens themselves of a same model.

 

The Lamy 2000 would be an exception since it seems that there is a huge handmade component to them, but I am not sure I would call the variation between pens a quality control issue.

[AL01]

 

 As always, our experiences differ. I have owned 10 or so Lamy pens, (and do intend on owning an Imporium/Persona someday), and have, regrettably, seen inconsistent quality control across the board.

 

 (Forgive me if this question has been asked already), but do you have any fountain pen shops near you? 

 

 If not, you could  try buying a 2000 from Amazon for they have a good return policy.

[Checklist]

8 minutes ago, AL01 said:

do you have any fountain pen shops near you? 

 

No, not with a 2000 within a 6-hour drive (one-way).  I'd rather not contribute to Bezos' Behemoth, so I'm thinking about buying from the Goulets.  They will fully refund the order unless I ink up the pen; considering that I'm questioning the pen's aesthetics, that's probably good enough for me.