Discussion of the Lamy 2000 steel

[MaleusScrotorum]

I have heard various aspersions cast  on this pen within the fountain pen community, and for this reason I wanted to start a thread in order to investigate this question further.

 

Some of the most oft levied criticisms involve its weight (too heavy) its value (too expensive) and its construction (not as robust as it seems).

 

Now as to the first two points, for me the heft of the pen is not an issue, and the price doesn’t seem too exorbitant: after all we are talking about a chunk of machines steel, not a piece of plastic. As to the final point, this is where things for me get a bit less clear. Yes, it’s piston mechanism is made of resin, but then again, what else would it be made of? Maybe aluminum would have been preferable, but my knowledge of the practicality of such a device is limited.

 

I can say that from my perspective personally it is a great pen. Smooth as silk, dumps a ton of ink in the page and looks like the Hindenburg blimp. In fact, I find it hard to believe that the steel incarnation is a variation on an original. With its seamless construction it seems rather more like the definitive version, rather than a sequel.

[gyasko]

Plastic is fine for the piston rod. Metals would be susceptible to corrosion if ink were to get behind the piston seal.

 

The Parker Flighters are stainless, yet remain a reasonable weight.  Lamy thought a heavy pen was OK and didn’t bother with weight reduction or deliberately made the stainless version heavy.  Seeing how the weight limits the utility of the pen as a writing implement for most, the stainless version is more curio than a pen.  

 

The weight is functional in one respect: the stainless L2K makes a nice paperweight that blends in with a desk environment without calling attention to itself. 

[Bo Bo Olson]

4 hours ago, MaleusScrotorum said:

fter all we are talking about a chunk of machines steel, not a piece of plastic.

I agree sturdy plastic pens don't make good skateboard spare axles.

The original 2000, is made of an extremely sturdy plastic, and is lighter.

 

If you Ever have a problem with your Lamy return it to the factory for repair.....they are not fast, but for free fast enough.

[MaleusScrotorum]

*sigh*
 

If only it were mate out of Titanium with an unbreakable piston turning knob.

 

Now THAT would be quite a pen...

[PAKMAN]

Titanium would be nice, but oh my how much they would want to charge for it!

[MaleusScrotorum]

1 minute ago, PAKMAN said:

Titanium would be nice, but oh my how much they would want to charge for it!

Good point! But what a pen it would be!

 

That being said, I still find that a metal version just LOOKS the part. Maybe one day...

[Muncle]

1 hour ago, PAKMAN said:

Titanium would be nice, but oh my how much they would want to charge for it!

Imagine if they then painted it brown!

[sirgilbert357]

2 hours ago, PAKMAN said:

Titanium would be nice, but oh my how much they would want to charge for it!

 

 

 Seriously. It would be north of 600 bucks. But call it a "limited edition" and they'd sell every single one of them. I might even buy one.

 

I've been thinking about buying a stainless steel version for awhile. I'll probably pull the trigger around Christmas as a gift to myself...if nothing else ranks higher on the "Want List" before now and then...

[sirgilbert357]

2 hours ago, MaleusScrotorum said:

*sigh*
 

If only it were mate out of Titanium with an unbreakable piston turning knob.

 

Now THAT would be quite a pen...

 

Knob? Or you mean the piston rod that drives the piston seal up and down? If the pen were made out of titanium, the knob would be titanium too, presumably...

 

If you keep the piston greased correctly, there really isn't that much stress on the piston rod. It shouldn't break under normal use.

[sirgilbert357]

Honestly, instead of titanium, I wouldn't mind seeing it done in raw 7075 Aluminum.

 

Would be much lighter than the steel version and look just as cool. Should be cheaper and easier to produce than titanium too. If they wanted to go crazy with colors, they could anodize it. What they are already doing with the Al-Star should give them the base experience to apply the same colors to an aluminum L2K.

 

I'd give a lot for a burnt orange L2K in the same shade as that limited edition Al-Star from a handful of years ago...

 

Lamy needs to expand the metal L2K lineup...I think it's an untapped market.

[MaleusScrotorum]

1 hour ago, sirgilbert357 said:

 

Knob? Or you mean the piston rod that drives the piston seal up and down? If the pen were made out of titanium, the knob would be titanium too, presumably...

 

If you keep the piston greased correctly, there really isn't that much stress on the piston rod. It shouldn't break under normal use.

I was specifically referring to the fact that the knob, while coated in steel, is in reality only attached by a plastic rod to the body of the pen (the piston mechanism) making it far less “bullet proof” than one would expect from such a pen.

 

If the turning mechanism were also metal, then we would really have a truly robust object.

[MaleusScrotorum]

1 hour ago, sirgilbert357 said:

Honestly, instead of titanium, I wouldn't mind seeing it done in raw 7075 Aluminum.

 

Would be much lighter than the steel version and look just as cool. Should be cheaper and easier to produce than titanium too. If they wanted to go crazy with colors, they could anodize it. What they are already doing with the Al-Star should give them the base experience to apply the same colors to an aluminum L2K.

 

I'd give a lot for a burnt orange L2K in the same shade as that limited edition Al-Star from a handful of years ago...

 

Lamy needs to expand the metal L2K lineup...I think it's an untapped market.

Couldn’t agree more!

 

This in addition to making the innards more sturdy (preferably making them the same material).

[sirgilbert357]

3 minutes ago, MaleusScrotorum said:

I was specifically referring to the fact that the knob, while coated in steel, is in reality only attached by a plastic rod to the body of the pen (the piston mechanism) making it far less “bullet proof” than one would expect from such a pen.

 

If the turning mechanism were also metal, then we would really have a truly robust object.

 

Ah, yes, I see what you mean. True.

[sirgilbert357]

Well, I had to strike the iron while it was still hot....

 

In a "hail Mary" attempt, I wrote an email to Goulet Pens and addressed it to Brian. I told him he needs to leverage his connections to get Lamy to make an aluminum (7075 if I'm being picky!) L2K. I figured if I emailed Lamy with the idea, they would just ignore me. But if it comes from Goulet Pens, they might give it some thought. He can take credit for it, he can make it a "Goulet Exclusive" model, I don't care....I just hope they make it.

 

I also mentioned the colors from all the Al-Stars...I mean, Lamy already know how to anodize aluminum pens almost any color, it seems, and they already have their CNC machines set up for the stainless steel models. How hard can it be to just swap the metal out for aluminum? All the colors would give them "limited edition" options that they may not be able to do in Makrolon. Remember that 2015 Limited Edition Al-Star in copper orange?? That would look AMAZING as an aluminum L2K!

 

Fingers crossed. They might think there would be too much overlap with the Studios and the Aion, but I hope not.

[MaleusScrotorum]

7 minutes ago, sirgilbert357 said:

Well, I had to strike the iron while it was still hot....

 

In a "hail Mary" attempt, I wrote an email to Goulet Pens and addressed it to Brian. I told him he needs to leverage his connections to get Lamy to make an aluminum (7075 if I'm being picky!) L2K. I figured if I emailed Lamy with the idea, they would just ignore me. But if it comes from Goulet Pens, they might give it some thought. He can take credit for it, he can make it a "Goulet Exclusive" model, I don't care....I just hope they make it.

 

I also mentioned the colors from all the Al-Stars...I mean, Lamy already know how to anodize aluminum pens almost any color, it seems, and they already have their CNC machines set up for the stainless steel models. How hard can it be to just swap the metal out for aluminum? All the colors would give them "limited edition" options that they may not be able to do in Makrolon. Remember that 2015 Limited Edition Al-Star in copper orange?? That would look AMAZING as an aluminum L2K!

 

Fingers crossed. They might think there would be too much overlap with the Studios and the Aion, but I hope not.

Awesome!

 

If this ever came to fruition we would really have a *definitive* metal pen on our hands!

Edited June 24, 2021 by MaleusScrotorum

[sirgilbert357]

Just now, MaleusScrotorum said:

Awesome!

 

Let’s hope something comes of this!!!

 

LOL, it would be my greatest contribution to the world of fountain pens.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Anyone with a cc shop can make you one.

Why? I have no idea.

Want iron car style piston rings instead of the traditional since @ 1955 Plastic Gasket 2.0. 1,0 was from @ '38-54.

 

Suddenly I realized finally you are new.** more on that below.

 

Metal guts back end of the piston makes a pen back weighted. (the spindle and piston is of course plastic.)

 

But the truth be known boiled in oil and beeswax cork is the smoothest of all gaskets.

 

In today's world you can print out a plastic spindle and knob on any good 3D printer.

 

That spindle outside the '50's MB telescope spindle is only 98 1/2% problem free and that on 80-60 year pens.

 

I've never read of any complaining about the 2000's guts. They are sturdy.....and should you be that 0.01% Lamy Will Fix It for Free!!!!!

After all a pen that came out in 1966...saw it live at that time, should have a history of breaking..........it don't.

 

Noobies are use to for free and throw away plastic ball points that are made to last up to three months, in no one's going to spend  what ever it cost for a skinny refill costs any more....they are free and everywhere.

 

There are many grades of plastic and some are very strong.

 

Esterbrook @ '39-60 is a very, very robust pretty plastic pen. A take around the world pen; highest mountain, deepest swamp. So is the P-51.

 

Fountain pen plastic is sturdy....it is a 'noobie' fallacy that it is fragile, unless you plan on leaving on the drive way to be drove over.

This pen is more delicate so I'd not cross the Gobi with it, but in any civilized area; where one can find a cold beer, the 60 year old piston pen does very well...I oddly have shirt pockets. In I use fountain pens, all my shirts have pockets.

 

.......In uncivilized lug your own water areas I'd take this Geha 790 anywhere. It has the standard go to war plastic.

 

 Or I'd take my sterling silver P-75 before it, in I can sell the silver for a cold beer, even down a dusty alley, it will buy a case of beer or three. If one bargain's well it will be cold.

 

** Suddenly I realized finally you are new.

.....Ah!! You have never heard of Shirt Pockets!

Invented in 1895 right after the peddle washing machine, so one could put one removable clip fountain pen in the Shirt Pocket. Invented at the same time as sewn on cuffs and collars.

 

I can understand your problem....you want to Sit on your fountain pen.

 

A rough plastic 2000 may be so tough.....but the best advice is not to sit on a fountain pen......even steel bends if you try hard enough and don't mind the bruises. .

And put in the front pocket a fountain can be a painful poke.

 

If you really, really want to sit with a fountain pen in your pocket, there is regular super tough plastic small Kaweco Sports invented in @ 1936 for folks that wanted to play Soccer in their long pants between classes or such. They have them now in metal also......unfortunately I'd bet there is a plastic section......good thing you don't have to worry about a piston, except in the wonderful vintage pens.......modern have plastic ink cartridges.

 

There are also pen cases to attach to a belt, or to put in your manbag...or purse.

 

I've never understood, fountain pen users who let strangers who don't write at all anyway, dictate fashion, that shirt pockets are dead and mummified passe.

So's a fountain pen......

 

Every year some 'noobie' come here demanding the worlds best steel pen, in plastic is garbage, and have only had free ball points.

Fountain pen users are Not as Stupid as they Look.................most use plastic pens often.

If I dig, I can find 4-6 metal pens out of 85, but I didn't buy them for prying my tire off my bike but they were pretty.

 

To tell you the truth at least 3 of them have never been inked, my wife wanted to make my happy at a flea market....Buy Now Dear!!!   

 

 

 

 

[maclink]

It's a heavy pen, for sure, but not too heavy for me to relegate it to paperweight/curiosity status.  I give that honour to the Karas Kustoms Ink Copper which weighs in at twice that of the L2K Steel.  

 

I've written two fills in a row with the L2K steel exclusively and without trouble.  Mine currently has a medium nib and is currently dormant as I use other pens.  I will definitely be using it again.  The shape of the pen makes it balanced in the hand.  It posts deeply so even when posted, it remains surprisingly balanced though too heavy, at that point, for me.

 

The entire piston and reservoir system is plastic within the outer steel body.  I did come across a FPN thread with a picture of a steel version where the reservoir came loose from the outer steel barrel with the pen having to be sent in to Lamy for repairs.

 

If you unscrew the section from the barrel, you'll see that you've unscrewed the metal threading of the section from the plastic threading of the inner reservoir/piston system.  Metal on plastic threading doesn't go down well with some and is considered a real vulnerability especially if cross-threading occurs.  The threading is quite fine, rather than course/thick so the vulnerability is definitely there.  Due care is therefore definitely needed.  Additionally, there's the real possibility of the inner plastic reservoir coming loose from the torquing forces exerted when unscrewing the metal section from it.

 

To be honest, while I like the pen, I don't think it a shining example of durability. 

[sirgilbert357]

6 minutes ago, maclink said:

It's a heavy pen, for sure, but not too heavy for me to relegate it to paperweight/curiosity status.  I give that honour to the Karas Kustoms Ink Copper which weighs in at twice that of the L2K Steel.  

 

I've written two fills in a row with the L2K steel exclusively and without trouble.  Mine currently has a medium nib and is currently dormant as I use other pens.  I will definitely be using it again.  The shape of the pen makes it balanced in the hand.  It posts deeply so even when posted, it remains surprisingly balanced though too heavy, at that point, for me.

 

The entire piston and reservoir system is plastic within the outer steel body.  I did come across a FPN thread with a picture of a steel version where the reservoir came loose from the outer steel barrel with the pen having to be sent in to Lamy for repairs.

 

If you unscrew the section from the barrel, you'll see that you've unscrewed the metal threading of the section from the plastic threading of the inner reservoir/piston system.  Metal on plastic threading doesn't go down well with some and is considered a real vulnerability especially if cross-threading occurs.  The threading is quite fine, rather than course/thick so the vulnerability is definitely there.  Due care is therefore definitely needed.  Additionally, there's the real possibility of the inner plastic reservoir coming loose from the torquing forces exerted when unscrewing the metal section from it.

 

To be honest, while I like the pen, I don't think it a shining example of durability. 

 

I guess it has it's vulnerabilities. But I don't see a lot of reports of it falling apart, either. You shouldn't have to take it apart that often...maybe once a year to grease the piston? So don't cross thread it and don't over tighten upon reassembly and I think it would be fine.

[maclink]

2 minutes ago, sirgilbert357 said:

 

I guess it has it's vulnerabilities. But I don't see a lot of reports of it falling apart, either. You shouldn't have to take it apart that often...maybe once a year to grease the piston? So don't cross thread it and don't over tighten upon reassembly and I think it would be fine.

 

Well, of course. 🙂  If used with the more FP friendly, water-based inks, you may never have to disassemble.  This is my intention.  I am more adventurous with my Makrolon's.  One is my EDC and I use permanent ink in it, knowing that I can easily do a thorough clean, if necessary.