Well it’s been a long time coming, but finally I am getting around to reviewing a pencil that I use on a daily basis, the Lamy 2000. It’s a long smooth torpedo of a pencil – no grips, side buttons, logos, fancy colour schemes or patterns; just minimalist simplicity.
The body of the Lamy 2000 is made from fibreglass-reinforced Makrolon, that’s Bayer’s brand of polycarbonate, so it’s the good stuff from the world of engineering plastics. Excellent toughness and stability, they make ‘bullet-proof glass’ from polycarbonate. The 2000 has a ‘brushed’ finish which gives it a very nice feel in the hand. Smooth yet not, it’s a very tactile experience - almost a ‘wood’ sort of feel. A fellow employee came into my office the other day and in the middle of a rather animated discussion wanted to draw me a diagram, so he grabbed the pencil off my desk, and just came to a halt. “Wow, this is a nice pencil” as he ran it through his fingers. I made a deliberate point of getting it back from him after he had finished the diagram. “Mine” I said, “This one doesn’t go walk-about”. The brushed finish also means the grip is pretty good on this pencil. Over time it also starts to get a little bit of a polish or patina on the area you grip it by. I’ll leave you to decide if that’s a good thing or not. Personally I’m not all that keen on it, but some folk definitely are. The tapering body also helps with the grip as you can effectively choose to grip it where it feels best. Being mostly plastic it’s not a particularly heavy pencil, but it’s still got a reasonable weight to it.
The brushed finish is carried on through to the metal parts as well. The tip and pocket clip are brushed stainless steel. The pocket clip is excellent. Its spring loaded and works really well. “Lamy” is stamped in small plain insignificant letters into the side of the clip. There are no other markings on the pencil, apart from a ‘5’ on the top button to indicate the lead diameter. As usual, Lamy don’t go out of their way to push any sort of brand recognition. In fact, I’ve seen a Lamy 2000 ballpoint which is about 30 years old and it doesn’t even have the ‘Lamy’ on the side of the pocket clip.
The mechanism is a push top ratchet. Mine is 0.5mm lead, but 0.7mm is also available. There is a small eraser under the top button; occasional use only! You remove the eraser to refill the lead magazine. There is also a needle to help clear any lead jams, but I’ve never had any problems like that. The tip is not retractable. It’s a small short cone for writing only, but it’s a little sharp to be classed as totally pocket safe.
Lamy say, “The Lamy 2000 has been writing its way into design history since 1966. Even today, many people regard it as one of the world’s most modern writing instruments.” Well, for what it’s worth, I agree. Lamy designer Gerd A. Muller did a great job with this one.
- Best Points – Classic simplicity.
- Not So Good Points – Not fully pocket safe.
- Price Range – High.
Dimensions – Length 138mm, diameter 11mm at widest point. Balance point about 65mm up from the tip.
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47 comments:
And what a fine pencil it is! It's by far my number 1 favourite (with the Scribble in 2nd place. I have looked at the Caran d'Ache Ecridor, Pelikan Epoch and even owned a Lamy Accent. But I always end up liking my 2000 better. So I gave my accent away and always keep my two favourites close. I do own a Faber Castell mini as well - but that's more a collectors item than everyday pencil. Well....my point was that the 2000 is one of the very best pencils available.
Do you find with the patina that develops the grip begins to slip?
Also, do you prefer .005 to .007?
I prefer the thicker lead.
Thx.
Hi, the patina is only very light, and I don't think it would ever get to the slippery stage.
In general I'm probably a 0.5mm lead person, but definitely thincker isbetter for some purposes. I'll soon be posting a follow up on the 2000 which will note how i should be using something thicker than 0.5mm in my 2000.
Very nice review. I have the Lamy 2000 fountain pen and love it.
We need to talk. Virtually, of course. I don't have this Lamy 2000, but my favorite pencil is something that resembles it. It's made by Stabilo and it's a 0.5.
Now I'm very particular about my pencils. Maybe it's because I'm a writer. Or because I started off as an accountant. Pencils continue to be important to me, and I'm very specific about what I like and don't like in a pencil.
Like the Lamy 2000, my Stabilo has a torpedo-shaped body and no irritating ridges or grips. Unlike the Lamy 2000, the body is made of black rubber. Come to think of it, it's the same material that my PEBL cell phone is made of.
But mine seems more stylishly designed than the Lamy 2000. The silver tip and trim are brushed silver, not shiny. I think shiny is an engineer thing. I prefer brushed. And the clip has this ubercool round ball at the bottom of it. So even the clip is stylish.
Trouble is, the art supply store where I always bought these no longer carries it. I am desperate for more of these pencils. I went online to search for a supplier and that's how I found your blog. No supplier yet though.
If you could help a damsel in distress locate this pencil I would be forever in your debt. I will buy hundreds. Well, at least dozens.
And while your being so gallant, send over a NZ Pinot.
Cheers!
Hi purpleplume
Well sorry, I don't think I can help. I'm not all that familiar with Stabilo, but I've never seen anything of theirs like the Lamy 2000. I've checked their corporate and Singapore websites and theirs nothing like that - at least that I saw in a quick search.
So, at this stage I can't justify sending you a bottle of wine, packed with hundreds of pencils.
I fogot to add that the metal items on the Lamy 2000 are a brushed finish, but still relatively shiny.
Ordered this mechanical pencil based on your review and of course, it's great design. The Lamy 2000 lead advancing and holding system has a good solid feel and holds the lead securely. I like the simplicity of the pencil body; smooth with no annoying ornamentation. (I was originally going for the Caran D'Ache Dunas but didn't like the mid-body lead ID collar. Seems odd to have it on a writing pencil and detracts from the nice lines of the pencil.) Only complaint with the Lamy 2000 is the meager eraser; when will (quality) pencil manufacturers realize that consumers would appreciate a real working eraser? I wasn't sure I should spend this much money on a pencil but it was money well spent and I enjoy using it every day. TK
Hi TK - well I'm glad you like your Lamy 2000. You are right, there are very few luxury pencils that have a substantial eraser. I guess its a problem of styling. The luxury writing instruements only sell small quantities, the same basic body design usually does many options - FP, BP, RB and MP, and so there just isn't room to get a big eraser apparatus in there. Still, we can always hope.
:-)
After using this pencil almost daily since mid-February, I can still say that it was money well spent. I especially like the brushed finish and taper of the pencil body. Very comfortable. If there's one thing Lamy could improve, it would be to refine the lead advance so that it only advances 1mm instead of 1.5mm. I find that even with 0.7mm lead, I'll break it occassionally if I don't wait until the lead wears up to the metal tip before advancing. If you advance the lead too soon there's just too much lead exposed and it's susceptible to breakage. Still, a great pencil. TK
Right, here follows my list of favourite MPs in order of preference:
1. Lamy 2000 0.7: Because it's a treat to hold and I can write with it for hours without any signs of fatique (except for a sore bottom...). And it holds more leads than any other MP.
2. Caran D'Ache 844 Metal Pencil: It's wonderful in it's simple and understated way of just getting through a full day of work. It's not quite as pleasant to hold as the Lamy 2000 though, and the advancing mechanism isn't quite as good as Pentel Ains and Faber-Castell leads sometimes slip a little.
3. Lamy Scribble 0.7: Because it's so perfect at what it was intended for: jotting down quick notes. It's of excellent build quality.
4. Caran D'Ache Ecridor: Because it's built like a tank but with grace. It's also fairly pleasant to write with. I wish the push botton would be a little longer as in the 844 though. I feel I have to look after it so it won't fall off, and I'll lose it. Expensive though.
5. Pentel Graphgear 1000 0.7: This is the MP that should have made no. 1. It's solidly built, it's got a retractable tip, the rubber grib actually works in a pleasant way. But it's a technical pencil and not intended for writing. Which means the the tip of the lead is further away from my finger tips than I prefer. It rests in my everyday bag.
6. Lamy Accent (black with black rubber grip: It's in really nice quality. It's quite heavy though and really thick to hold. Too thick for me. Still a nice pencil though.
I thought about what else to buy and looked at the Pelikan Epoch. But I've read somewhere that it's built from aluminiu, and really light. It looks solid and therefore shouldn't be light. Most MPs are 0.5, and I prefer 0.7. I also prefer a push mechanism which further limits my options. So perhaps I should try to be happy with what I've already got :)
Max - great list. There must be some mental telepathy going on here beacuse last night before I saw this posting I wrote on paper a fairly long scribe about what pencil design I like (intending to use for a comment here) and of course naming the ones I liked and disliked. Anyway it didn't get beyond that paper stage and yours is a far more impressive list. Well done.
2 1/2P
Hehe..thanks a lot. I hope you will complete and post your list here sometime! In fact, I would love if more would post favourite designs and/or pencils. Thanks :)
Hey Dave, great blog. I read it all the time. The other day while pondering deep thoughts and gazing at my Lamy 2000 0.5 that I bought on your recommendation (thanks, excellent pencil), I noticed some lettering stamped on the underside of the pocket clip in black block letters. "GERMANY 1."
Hi Anonymous. Thanks for the compliment. Yes, mine has that too, although I didn't bother mentioning it at the time. If I remember, I must check, but my father has an old Lamy 2000 BP from the 1970's or so, and I don't think it has GERMANY underneath.
The engravings are likely related to the most recent German reunification.
I have a Mont Blanc Meisterstück FP that I bought new in the 70's, and engraved on the ring that is part of the pocket clip is W GERMANY.
The newer ones are engraved GERMANY.
nice job on the review i have been contemplating about getting the 2000....i have one question though for those of you who own the 2000 is the 2000 very durable and scratch resisant because i hate it when i scratch my pens
The surface on the 2000 is very durable. The texture is sort of engraved with fine lines, so you won't see any scratches. The material is called Makrolon which is just Bayer's name for polycarbonate. The only thing you might not like is that the pocket clip is of metal but held in place by surrounding makrolon. So the clip might wobble a little sideways. However, I've had my 2000 for...6 years I think, and it's exactly the same as when I got it.
I'd agree with Max. The surface is quite hard wearing, and doesn't tend to show scratches because it is already pre-roughened. But then if you carry it in a pocket rubbing around against with coins, keys, etc then like any pencil its going to show some wear.
what would be more worth my money, the lamy accent pencil or 2000 pencil
im announcing my part im now a follower of dave
can i wrote a review of the lamy tripen on here
Hi Wes. I am always happy to consider a guest article or review. Please contact me at the email address up in the blog header to discuss.
kiwi i know that with all your expirience in the pencil industry that you will suggest me a great pencil
i like very durable pencils that are scratch resistant
i prefer functuality over sheer looks
i am willing to spend 50-80 us dollars
what pencil is right for me
To anonymous: Accent vs. 2000
I have both. The Accent is über-durable! However, the surface isn't 'pre-scratched' as the 2000 so my Accent is showing some wear and tear.
Also, it's quite heavy and I find the shape a little odd because the where I hold it is thicker than the rest. The 2000 on the other hand has the perfect shape in my world.
But then again, to me the 2000 is the greatest mech. pencil in the world, so I'm really biased...
To max do you know what metal the lamy accent is made out of
Makrolon is what legos are
Made out of
does anyone here own the lamy dialog 1
Hi dave is the lamy2000 the best pencil in the world.
Wes - Yes, I have a Dialog 1. I have been meaning to review it for several years now!
Anonymous - Lamy 2000 the best pencil in the world. Its a great pencil, but not perfect, so probably not the best in the world. Don't ask me what the best is though, I'm still looking.
For everyone wanting a Montblanc (Masterpiece) pencil,
ebay Germany is the place to go, they are less expensive here.
http://www.ebay.de/
Enter this as the search string:
montblanc (bleist*, dreh*, drück*, mine*) -roll* -kugel* -kuli*
good luck, Arne
Hi Dave!
Are you still using your Lamy 2000 0.5 mm pencil? Or did you buy a 0.7 mm Lamy 2000?
I am just about to order a Lamy 2000 pencil, but can't decide on which lead size :P
Still on 0.5mm, but if i was buying again, for my personal circumstances, I would get 0.7mm for that extra bit of strength.
Hi again!
I think I'll go for the 0.5 mm, since I will only be using it while taking notes at university.
I read your blog a lot and it's really nice, bought a Lamy Scribble 0.7 mm cause of your blog :D
The Scribble made me unsure if I want to use a Lamy 2000 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm. But since I have always used 0.5 before my Scribble, I'll go with 0.5 mm :)
hi dave its wes. what is the mechanism the dialog 1. ex. do you twits the pen to get the tip out or do you click the top
Wes - you click the top. I hope to have a Dialog 1 review posted in a couple of months.
Hi, I purchased a Lamy 2000 0.7mm pencil and like it a lot. The only fly in the ointment is the clip - there seems to be quite a bit of lateral movement, which in time would probably mark the barrel. Is this a feature of this pencil or do I just have one that slipped through QC??
I do have the option of sending it back to the seller.
Lateral wobble of the clip is normal, see also Max's comment above. Mine does have some marking on the body from this movement, but its not really all that noticeable.
Hi Dave!
I finally ordered a Lamy 2000 0.5 mm :P
Should be getting it this week :D
Dave, I literally just came back form the stationary store and bought the 2000. The feel of it in my small hands is incredible. It is smooth yet grippy with its pre-scratched surface. It is sleek and has a sort of warm feeling to it like it belongs in my hand. The lead mechanism is quite ab-normal, but i like it. The lamy 2000 has sky-rocketed into being my #1! pencil in a matter of like 4 minutes.
My top three favourite MP's are
drumroll please..........
1. Lamy 2000. it is light weight durable, sleek, and has the greatest feeling in the world.
2. Lamy tripen 656. a cool titanium black pencil with a highlighter, a black ballpoint, and a very nice pencil.
3. Pentel p205. the classic drafting pencil with a great feel and excelant mechanism.
Glad to hear you are happy with your purchase.
I just got a Lamy 2000 today it's ok...I was hoping it would be smooth for writing or drawing But I find the Pentel Kerry superior for that I haven't found anything to match the Kerry.
I own (14) Kerry's =)
14 Kerry's !!!
That's over the top even by my standards.
Yeah.. Over the top definitely :)
I'm almost there myself. 10 Kerry's in the collection. Another that is beat-up that I use as a daily writer and the wife and daughter each have a pink one.
does office depot sell the kerry's
Thanks a million for your reviews Dave, you are the best source on the internet for what you cover. Hats off to you!
So, after reading your review and other's comments about the Lamy 2000, I decided to get one. I was afraid that it might be one of those things that gets too much hype, but that isn't the case at all. The Lamy 2000 is fantastic.
I recently got a Pentel Kerry too, but have found that I prefer the Lamy 2000 for the way it feels in my hand. For one thing the 2000 is 5 mm longer than the Kerry. That and the absence of any middle section on it seems to make for a lot more comfortable hold. Also, I seem to find that the clip is slightly more out of the way, where on the Kerry these parts seem to get more in the way of a nice comfortable grip. The material that the 2000 is made out of also seems a little more grippable than the Kerry, and I prefer the thickness of the body of the 2000.
Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction, and all your efforts to provide such an excellent resource.
Paul G
Time Waster,
If you don't find the 2000 "smooth" maybe all you need to do is replace the lead in it. That was the first thing I did, and filled it with Pentel Super Hi Polmer.
Paul
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