Dark Entries

Lamy 2000 Review

The Lamy 2000, or Lamy 2k as it is frequently known, is highly regarded amongst pen connoisseurs and widely considered to be an essential part of any respectable pen collection.  To be fair, this model would not still be available on the retail market after over 55 years if wasn’t a good pen.

The Lamy 2000 is a design classic. A nod to the Bauhaus school, it still looks as modern as it did when the pen was first released in 1966. The matte black and silver, minimalist Lamy 2000 is made from Makrolon, a fibreglass polycarbonate, and brushed steel. It has a hooded platinum-plated 14k gold nib and a piston fill mechanism.

First impressions

I have owned my Lamy 2000 with a Fine nib for a few years now, having sold on my original Medium, so it is difficult to recall my very first impressions. Somehow, I seem to always forget how good this pen is and each time I use it, after neglecting it for long periods, it still surprises me.

The Lamy 2k’s design is undeniably stylish, with a modernist elegance. The pen has clean lines and is functional without unnecessary frippery. At a mere 26g, the Makrolon body is lightweight, yet sturdy. The joins between polycarbonate parts are so seamless, that I recall having to consult the instructions to locate the filling mechanism when I first received one. Can you see where it is?

Here’s a hint…

There is also a very useful (and subtle) ink window where the section meets the body, so you can see how full your pen is without having to unscrew it or rely on guesswork.

Writing Experience

The writing experience, in terms of the nib, is excellent. The platinum-coated 14k gold nib positively glides across the page with the lightest touch. It lays down ink generously and effortlessly. This is to a large extent the reason the Lamy 2000 is so highly acclaimed. I’ve only ever had a hard start when the feed has become clogged with shimmer particles, otherwise it works first time consistently.

As with any piston filler, it has a fairly large ink capacity, so isn’t going to run dry during lengthy writing sessions. This is a high quality, but no-nonsense, workhorse pen that will not fail you in everyday use. In all honesty, I’m really not sure why I don’t use it more regularly.

It’s not all beer and skittles though. There may be one possible drawback for some. The section is metal and shaped in a curved taper towards the nib, making it potentially kLamy*  slippery. I don’t have an issue with that personally, although I do start to find the section shape slightly hard work if I use it for a long writing session.

*sorry! 😀

Another (known) issue I should mention is that, if you dismantle the pen for cleaning, it is easy to lose the little metal ring found between the section and body that holds the cap in place. It is a loose ring and will come off and is easily lost if you aren’t paying attention. Do I speak from experience? Certainly! Fortunately, if you contact Lamy, they will send you a replacement or two gratis.

In Summary

The Lamy 2000 is a great pen. The design is stylish, the writing experience excellent, but somehow I just don’t seem to reach for it regularly and I’m not really sure why.

This is my second Lamy 2000 – the medium nib on the first was a little too fat for my taste. I like this pen a good deal more than many pens I have owned or used. It has style, capacity and writes beautifully, so why is it not more often my first choice, my every day carry?

There is nothing wrong with the Lamy 2000. Far from it. The best analogy I can come up with is that it is rather like an architecturally inspiring building**. You admire the innovative design, are impressed by its style and features, look around in awe at the construction, but you don’t actually want to live there. Therein, I suspect, lies the difficulty. It’s just not a pen I necessarily want to live with daily, despite all its virtues. And, in truth, I feel bad about that because I do quite like it. Perhaps it just doesn’t make me feel sufficiently warm and fuzzy inside.

**not necessarily a Bauhaus one

I am not alone in my ambivalence to the Lamy 2000, despite all its critical acclaim. It isn’t a marmite pen insofar as it’s not a love-hate thing; more of a love and a love-but-can’t-live-with thing. All I can suggest is that you try one for yourself and make up your own mind about it. You almost certainly won’t hate it, but you may not love it (enough) either.

Pro

• Quality 14k gold nib
• Stylish design
• Light weight
• Large ink capacity
• Wide choice of nib widths

Con

• Potentially slippery section
• Material and shape of section may not suit some

Who is it for

• Fans of minimalist Bauhaus style
• Prolific writers
• (tenuously) Goths

The lowdown

Available from all the usual stockists, prices appear to vary widely, ranging from the £270 at the Lamy Store to (at time of publication) £146 (down from £230rrp) at Cult Pens.

Nib options include the usual EF-BB, plus OM-OBB, so something for all tastes. There is a more expensive and heavier Brushed Steel version of the Lamy 2000, if the polycarbonate doesn’t appeal. Lamy also released some Limited Edition colours including Blue Bauhaus, for the Bauhaus centenary in 2019, and Brown for the Lamy 2000 55 year anniversary in 2021, though good luck finding one of those for sale.

Finally, if you want to try before you buy, you could always hire one for a week or two from Pensharing.

For those of you who are not of the Goth persuasion, Dark Entries was a 1980 single by Bauhaus (the band).

This is my own pen, as are the opinions given herein. I have no relationship with Lamy or any other retailer, and no incentives have been offered or received for this review.