Lamy, a German writing instrument manufacturer, is well known in the fountain pen world for adopting a rather different approach to many manufacturers. Founded in 1930, the company was reborn in a broken post-war Germany, adopting a design ethos inspired by the Bauhaus movement that has carried them from success to success. This, quite simply, is that "Form follows Function". Functional design, minimalist aesthetic and quality in workmanship underpinned everything; Gerd Alfred Müller, the designer of the Lamy 2000, drew on Dieter Rams'principles of design, namely:
Good Design Is Innovative
Good Design Makes a Product Useful
Good Design Is Aesthetic
Good Design Is Thorough Down to the Last Detail
The Lamy 2000 was designed in 1966, and quickly became a market success, turning Lamy into a writing instrument powerhouse. The sleek, modern design was unlike anything seen before; and it has not changed, barring evolutionary improvements in materials and workmanship, to the present day.
The pen is made from Makrolon, a glass-reinforced polycarbonate, making it strong and durable, and it feels warm and textured to the touch. The section is stainless steel so as not to be stained by ink whilst filling the pen, and weights the tip of the pen into a natural writing position.
The clip is machined from the same stainless steel, and is spring loaded for ease of clipping and holding power. No frills are present, save for a subtly engraved "LAMY" on the side of the clip, the only nod to branding on the whole pen.
The only non-functional part of the Lamy 2000 is a small circular disc of stainless steel on the piston knob, forming the sole decorative element of the pen. Whilst technically ornamentation, the little flash of steel visually balances the heft of the nib on the capped pen.
The nib is 14k gold, coated in platinum for corrosion resistance and to fit with the silver aesthetic. It is inconspicuously hooded, and doesn't draw attention to the pen; many people have asked me whether it was a ballpoint! Writing quality is excellent.
The design of the pen extends to easy maintenance also; the pen can be disassembled into nib, feed, section, barrel and piston mechanism without the use of any tools, for easy cleaning and lubrication. Many original pens from the 1960's are still in use, testament to the durability of the materials used.
Length capped: 138.5mm / 5.45in
Length uncapped: 123.9mm / 4.875in
Length posted: 153.45mm / 6.04in
Total pen weight: 25g / 0.9oz
Body weight: 17g / 0.6oz
Cap weight: 9g / 0.3oz
The Lamy 2000 family also includes a ballpoint, a 4-in-1 munticolour ballpoint, a rollerball, and a mechanical pencil; all are of similar design and construction.
I hope you've enjoyed this little pseudo-review / history lesson / picture thingy; if anyone has nay questions about the pen, feel free to ask! I'll plug /r/fountainpens for the interested too. As a reward for your patience, here's a relevant writing sample from the pen ;)
