Lamy 2000 Brown LE Review

[ralfstc]

Hi folks!

 

Well, I didn't actually mean to buy this pen. I wasn't against it, it was just that the Blue sold out so quickly that I didn't expect to ever see one for sale. But then I was in Montréal, at Stylo, and there it was. Now I've followed the thread on whether this pen is a way to rip off gullible Lamy fan-children, I've watched the Goulet videos, and I felt I sort of understood the product and the fuss it was attracting. Then I met one in person.

 

I've had quite a few Lamy 2000s over the years. I like the concept, the simplicity, the look, but they haven't always suited my hand. In my experience the nib matters a lot on 2000s, perhaps because of the section shape. If it writes smoothly it is a joy to use; but if there are any issues with the nib it seems like the shape may magnify them. Point being I was in no hurry to have another 2000. My current one is a modern EF that writes beautifully, totally reliably, and with a real EF line.

 

But. This LE is freaking beautiful.

 

The pictures do not do it justice. The colour is hard to capture in a photograph, and here I laid it on the included notebook to emphasise the brown-ness of it. It's hard to photograph because the effect is subtle. The cap off picture with the section in focus is, I think, the closest to true colour.

 

As I've spent time with it I've come to appreciate it more. And the amount of work going into it. Until I sat and looked at this pen, I hadn't thought about how much work it would be to have a limited edition numbered on the clip. The clip is shinier than a normal 2000 clip, and has LAMY on one side and the number on the other: 0314/3300 in my case (Yes, it's the π pen!). 

 

I was also blown away by the whole package. I use notebooks a lot, and really like the included Lamy notebook. I also like the book on the designer, which is shrink-wrapped. Overall, it does feel attractive to me in a way that, I must admit, "super-luxury" packaging doesn't. It is more about making the Lamy fan feel they are getting an exclusive invitation into the brand, which requires a minimalist approach.

 

I can't say a lot about how it writes. It's a fine nib Lamy 2000. It's going to write like one. I haven't filled it yet (I've been travelling) but the feel of the dry nib on paper is very nice, and I'm optimistic.

 

So, overall? I think it's kind of a special pen. I don't find the price offensive as I believe the whole package is coherent and satisfying (I was one of those incredibly fortunate people for whom lockdown allowed a little more spending on hobbies other than travel). I'm glad I picked one up, and I'm glad Lamy made it.

 

More than happy to answer any questions if anybody would like more details.

 

Stay safe out there!

 

Ralf

 

 

 

 

[A Smug Dill]

Thank you for the lovely overview! I'm glad you like the pen and are able to acquire one (with π for the serial number, no less).

 

I might be tempted to try to find a specific limited edition pen for which I can get 355/113 as its serial number!

[1nkulus]

Congrats on your Pi pen.

Glad you are enjoying it and wish you reams of happiness. 

[BayesianPrior]

  On 8/10/2021 at 11:31 PM, A Smug Dill said:

Thank you for the lovely overview! I'm glad you like the pen and are able to acquire one (with π for the serial number, no less).

 

I might be tempted to try to find a specific limited edition pen for which I can get 355/113 as its serial number!

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That would be a very specific limited edition indeed, where the manufacturer produced 242 pens more than the stated limit!

[Frank C]

I'm glad that you like your new pen. I have a few Lamy 2000s and they are quite pleasant to use. I also like that I can completely disassemble them without any special tools. I thought this one was overpriced, but your review makes me wonder. If I see one in person, who knows?

[Andre3000]

Hi there, congratulations on the acquisition! May I ask whether the clip on your 2000 SE is slightly loose at all ? (Vertical movement and side to side?)

[ralfstc]

  On 8/11/2021 at 4:17 PM, Andre3000 said:

Hi there, congratulations on the acquisition! May I ask whether the clip on your 2000 SE is slightly loose at all ? (Vertical movement and side to side?)

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Hi Andre3000,

 

The LE seems to have clip wiggle exactly equivalent to my black one, and to others I have had. Having taken one apart, it seems to be a feature of the design and does not affect the functioning of the clip at all.

 

Take care,

 

Ralf

[Andre3000]

Hi Ralf, Thanks so much, really appreciate the feedback. On my black one it is so solid. about less than 0.5 mm vertical movement zero side to side. On my new brown one it's nearly 2mm up and down and worse side to side.....rather strange. I have also seen some newer black ones do the same.... Guess they have loosened their tolerances perhaps.     Thanks again,   Take care.   Andre

[ralfstc]

Hmmm, your black one sounds about the same in actual mm as my black and my brown ones . . . I don't think it will do any harm though. I've seen some 2000 pencils with disconcertingly loose clips and they worked beautifully for decades!

 

Cheers,

 

Ralf

[maclink]

  On 8/11/2021 at 4:17 PM, Andre3000 said:

Hi there, congratulations on the acquisition! May I ask whether the clip on your 2000 SE is slightly loose at all ? (Vertical movement and side to side?)

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I know of this issue and on checking, mine is firmly in place with no play in it.  The vertical movement is very easily reproduced in my older black makrolon and stainless steel versions.  However, the movement is there in my newer black makrolon, though only with more effort.

 

@ralfstc Congratulations on your new purchase.  I also love the colour and also, the clip.  The F nib on mine, I initially thought was an EF, but on comparing with magnification, I can confirm it's a F nib.  The tuning is different from my other F nib in that the flow is more controlled. With less flow comes a thinner line and a tad more feedback.  Of course, this may well be a Yama Guri effect since I've not used any other inks with it yet.  I still have zero regrets having bought mine.