Lamy 2000 or Pilot Custom 74 which one, why?

[rgperedo]

I am thinking about my next pen purchase. There are obviously a lot of very nice pens especially in this budget of between $125-$150 ish. I have also thought of perhaps a franklin-cristoph or edison pen, but I want to buy those eventually with some of the nicer extras like gold custom nibs or non cc filling systems. So I've narrowed my pen choice to either a Lamy 2000 or a Pilot Custom 74.

I have used a 2000 and I really enjoyed it. Plus I like the fact that it is such a staple in fountain pendom.
Then I also really like the way the Pilot Custom 74 looks and I love demonstrator pens, plus I've heard many people rave about this pen and its nib.

I know this is like an apples to oranges kind of deal, but I'm curious to hear what people's opinions are. If you have either pen or both please send some advice my way.

thanks!

[dannzeman]

You should seriously consider the Pilot Custom Heritage 92. It's only $123 from Engeika. I would place well above the 74 and a very good alternative to the 2000.

[chad.trent]

I have all three pens mentioned in this discussion (Lamy 2000, Pilot Custom 74, Pilot Custom Heritage 92). Here's my opinion:

Lamy 2000 - best feeling pen I've ever held. If I had to pick one pen for the rest of my life, it would be the 2000. It writes super smooth (I have a F nib), the filling mechanism works flawlessly, and it just feels "right" in my hand. Plus the makrolon or whatever it's called that it's made out of hides scratches. The complaints I've heard about the pen are:

1. It has a small sweet spot. I guess I must just naturally hold it in the right spot or something because I've never noticed it. I have held it at different angles and found some skipping issues, but they are angles that I don't think people commonly hold their pens in
2. The little ears that hold the cap on get in the way. While it's true that they are right on the section, I have never noticed them. But, again it may be my grip. A lot of people hate the Lamy Safari section, but it doesn't bother me either.

Pilot Custom 74: The pen writes like a dream. I do think it's a little longer than it needs to be. Unposted it's fine, but if I post it, it gets way too long for my tastes. I have the CON-70 converter in mine and it holds a ton of ink. I haven't measured how much though. But I've never run out. I have the F nib and it is springy. Not a flex nib by any means, but does give subtle line variation.

Pilot Custom 92: Probably my favorite pen that I own. I don't use it that often because I'm afraid of losing or damaging it. It's not fragile, but I'm sometimes hard on pens (see my comment about scratches and the Lamy 2000). I have the FM nib - I got mine from engeika - and it's my favorite nib. Springy enough that it leaves lines like a fine or medium stub. The piston mechanism works flawlessly.

Yes, I realize I gave them all good reviews, so that probably didn't make your decision any easier. But, I don't really have anything bad to say about any of them.

Just for size comparison, here are all of them. Sorry about the fuzzy picture. My iPad doesn't do that well with photos.



The custom 74 is third from left. The custom heritage 92 is fifth. The Lamy 2000 is last obviously.

The others for comparison's sake are (L-R) Nemosine Singularity, TWSBI Vac 700, Stipula Vedo Nuda, TWSBI 540, Monteverde Artista Crystal

[rgperedo]

Thank you, the both of you definitely helped. I know that I have to get a Lamy 2000 and a Pilot custom heritage 92 hahaha. I'm didn't even think of the pilot 92 because I figured it was out of my price range, but now that Dan pointed me in the right direction I won't even take the 74 into consideration. I do feel like if I pay over $120 I should get a piston filler instead of a CC. I don't mind CC's terribly, but I do prefer a piston filler. Thank you for all the generous information gentlemen.

[Uncle Bud]

Don't rule out the custom 74, it's one of Brian Goulet's favourites. I have all three pens and in order of preference it's custom 92, custom 74, and lamy 2000. I know everyone loves the lamy 2000, it's a great pen, but I think the Japanese nibs are a bit smoother, also don't buy the lamy 2000 second hand, I have found quality control on lamy's questionable. Just my obersvationd based on my tastes on what I own. Cheers

[Uncle Bud]

Good call on the 92.

[fountainpenkid]

Thank you, the both of you definitely helped. I know that I have to get a Lamy 2000 and a Pilot custom heritage 92 hahaha. I'm didn't even think of the pilot 92 because I figured it was out of my price range, but now that Dan pointed me in the right direction I won't even take the 74 into consideration. I do feel like if I pay over $120 I should get a piston filler instead of a CC. I don't mind CC's terribly, but I do prefer a piston filler. Thank you for all the generous information gentlemen.

I am similar to you in my mentality about filling systems, but I think it is worth noting that the 74's converter is not at all a normal converter--it is a plunger fill one that feels quite upscale and distinct. It also holds from most people's estimates about the same amount of ink as a normal-sized piston filler like the 2000. That said, nothing beats the simplicity and efficiency of a piston filler as a whole, so if you want a pen that is really quick to fill, then the 92 and 2000 are the better options.

[rgperedo]

Thank you all for all the great information and advice. I took everyone's input into consideration, and in the end I decided to get the Pilot Custom Heritage 92 in a fine nib. It is by far my favorite pen. It is very smooth and just the right flow, it isn't too heavy, it isn't too light, great for long writing sessions. I am more than happy, so thank you for the help it is very much appreciated.

[KrazyIvan]

I have the Custom 742 which is the same as the 74 just Japanese domestic market. I have the Lamy 2k. If I had to do it all over I would have purchased the L2K first and waited on the Pilot.

[mtnbiker62]

I have two Custom 74s (EF and F), a Custom Heritage 91 (FM) and a Custom Heritage (912) (SFM) and I love all four of them. One nice thing is that they all will allow the use of the CON-70 converter, so you can get a little more ink in them than the pens that use the CON-50. I think the 92 is the same as the 91, just with a piston filler instead of a converter. I don't own the Lamy, so I can't really compare the two, but I don't think you'll be sorry with the Custom Heritage 92.

[discopig]

You should seriously consider the Pilot Custom Heritage 92. It's only $123 from Engeika. I would place well above the 74 and a very good alternative to the 2000.

I definitely recommend going this route as well.

[rgperedo]

I ended up getting the Custom Heritage 92 in Black, fine nib. I love it. Thank you.

You should seriously consider the Pilot Custom Heritage 92. It's only $123 from Engeika. I would place well above the 74 and a very good alternative to the 2000.

I definitely recommend going this route as well.

[Kaputnik]

The OP has gone with the CH 92. Good choice. Very good choice if you're not the type to buy one of each, like er...me.

I bought a Lamy 2000, fine nib, from an Amazon dealer for about $122 shipped. Excellent pen, very smooth, great ink capacity. Why would I need anything else?

A clear Custom Heritage 92, $133.80 including shipping from Kyoto Pen Store on eBay. FM nib. Spread the tines slightly to get it to write a little wetter. Again, a fantastic pen. No need for anything else.

So I just ordered a Custom 74 with a broad nib from another Japanese eBay dealer. It's one of the opaque ones, a dark green, not the demonstrators that you get from US dealers. Same (I hope) 14k nib, but without the rhodium plating. It comes with a CON-20 converter. $98.50 shipped for this, and I'm buying a CON-70 converter from Amazon for $10.40. So a saving of $51.10 plus shipping over any US dealer I know of, but why do I need this? I tell myself it's because I want to try one of Pilot's better broad nibs. It's as good a justification as any.

[rgperedo]

I really love the Custom Heritage 92, I would definitely buy a Custom 74. I use my 92 daily it has quickly become my favorite pen. I still want to eventually get a Lamy 2000, but it might wait. These days I've been very interested in buying myself a production line Edison pen. I have heard nothing but rave reviews, so do I need a Lamy 2000, a Pilot Custom 74 and an Edison? not necessarily, but I want them hahaha. I order my Pilot pens from Japanese dealers and I have nothing but good things to say. I also have a Pilot Vanishing point with a steel nib and it is seriously amazing. I use my pens for a lot of note taking so I actually enjoy a nice steel nib, the lower price is obviously a huge plus as well.

The OP has gone with the CH 92. Good choice. Very good choice if you're not the type to buy one of each, like er...me.

I bought a Lamy 2000, fine nib, from an Amazon dealer for about $122 shipped. Excellent pen, very smooth, great ink capacity. Why would I need anything else?

A clear Custom Heritage 92, $133.80 including shipping from Kyoto Pen Store on eBay. FM nib. Spread the tines slightly to get it to write a little wetter. Again, a fantastic pen. No need for anything else.

So I just ordered a Custom 74 with a broad nib from another Japanese eBay dealer. It's one of the opaque ones, a dark green, not the demonstrators that you get from US dealers. Same (I hope) 14k nib, but without the rhodium plating. It comes with a CON-20 converter. $98.50 shipped for this, and I'm buying a CON-70 converter from Amazon for $10.40. So a saving of $51.10 plus shipping over any US dealer I know of, but why do I need this? I tell myself it's because I want to try one of Pilot's better broad nibs. It's as good a justification as any.

[tarheel1]

I have the Custom 742 which is the same as the 74 just Japanese domestic market. I have the Lamy 2k. If I had to do it all over I would have purchased the L2K first and waited on the Pilot.

That is incorrect. The 74 is smaller in every way compared to the 742. They even use different sizes of nibs. 74 uses a #5 where 742 uses a #10.
Model length (mm) pen length (mm) diameter (mm) weight (g) pen weight (g)
with CON-70 except 823 and 92
845 146.3 132.2 15.9 28.31 16.75
823 148.4 131.2 15.7 28.68 18.87
743 148.0 131.6 15.7 25.51 15.77
742 145.8 127.9 15.7 23.74 14.82
74 143.1 125.6 14.7 21.22 13.26
912 140.5 125.1 15.7 24.28 15.33
91 137.9 122.8 14.7 21.29 13.26
92 136.8 122.2 14.7 19.95 11.99

[KrazyIvan]

Thank you for he correction. In relation to the L2K, my perspective does not change. Now please excuse me while I look for a 92.

[Kaputnik]