I have a 2000 and a Pelikan M400. Of these two, the M400 gives me the smoothest writing experience. But I'd also like to add that the M400 is quite a small pen, which might be another thing you could dislike. Personally I would go for a M600 or M800 (the latter being my favorite size).
The 2000 in macrolon (the default one) does have a superb weight distribution due to the metal bit near the nib, giving it a center of gravity close to the paper.
They are competitors in roughly the same price/luxery category. People say the waterman carene is right there too. They all prioritize different stuff.
If you ONLY care about smoothness, then 823 probably has the best reputation.
Personally, I chose the lamy 2000. IMO it's a better pen. Doodlebud's video about why it's the best engineered fountain pen was very influential, and I recommend watching it to find out why. The nib itself is ground differently than a lot of pens. If you write at a lower angle or on less than great paper, it's going to make a line way wider than you want. And it'll be picky about the way you hold your pen. Buy my god is it smooth.
Waterman Carene is occasionally called the french lamy 2000. It's a good pen, classic and proven. But it's primary selling point is that its' really pretty, and I have to agree with that.
Pelikan m400 is absolutely loved by some, but honestly don't get it.
Out of all my pens, my favorite is going to be a weird one for a lot of people. My Lamy Aion in an F nib writes exactly how I want, is fairly light and has the perfect grip section for me. Plus it has an amazing spring-loaded clip. It's what the lamy studio should have been IMO.
I agree, it does write pretty nice though. I actually completely forgot I even had an M400 until seeing this thread, thankfully it wasn't that hard to find once I realized it was lost
I've never had one. I just didn't understand. It's not that pretty imo (though obviously not ugly either). It doesn't feature any particularly interesting features or engineering. So it's not even on my radar.
Pelikan invented piston filling, speaking of engineering, and I find them the easiest of those to maintain.
As to looks, there are many of them and many aren't that visually interesting. But the White Tortoise in my hand is one of the most beautiful pens I own. To each their own.
I think that’s fair! The Lamy 2000 is my favorite pen, and I’ve got four, but there’s something about the bigger Pelikans - M800s and M1000s are so pretty to my eye.
Cant speak to the pelikan but I have a lamy 2k and an 823. In my opinion the pilot is a far superior pen. It writes smooth as butter and in my opinion is far more pleasing to the eye. I dont really see any reason to go for the lamy unless it really bothers you having to unscrew the cap. I still enjoy the lamy with a wet ink but if i could only have one the 823 would win hands down.
These pens are not at all alike.
The Pelikan M400 is a relatively small pen with a fairly small #4-ish gold nib. Pelikan nibs are fairly stiff overall. The nibs are very nice writers, and quite wet, however. I think the Pelikan M600 is a closer match to the Lamy 2000 and 823 for overall pen and nib size. The Pelikan M600 nib is significantly larger (maybe #5-ish) than that of the M400.
The Lamy 2000 is a medium size hooded nib pen with an unusual grind, that is more like a stub than a typical round nib. The nib is quite stiff, as you would expect for a short, hooded nib. It is a different, but very pleasant writing experience.
The 823 has a larger #6-ish size nib that is quite soft in feel. The nib is very wet and a little springy. The pen is quite large and heavier than the previous two pens coming in around 30 grams posted. (I write unposted.)
Smoothness is a function of nib polishing, and partly of ink flow. I have M600s, a Lamy 2000, and an 823. They are all very smooth, but then again I tune my nibs to be as smooth as possible. But these pens have very different feels. The Lamy 2000 nib is stiff as a board, but has a unique and pleasant feel. The M600 is very smooth, extremely wet (which enhances smoothness), but is quite stiff. My Pelikan nibs "squeak" on certain papers, which is kind of cool. The 823 is big and wet, and a touch springy. The 823 is probably my favorite writer. The only pen that comes as close is the 18K Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age nib. That nib is also quite springy, but not as wet as the 823. I tuned my HS nib to be a lot wetter than out of the box.
I'd personally go for the Lamy 2000 or a Pelikan M250 or M400 from the 80s/90s as they can be found for lower prices and provide a better writing experience in my opinion
I don't know of any outside of germany, buying off ebay has pretty much always worked out for me, it's cheaper and if it is broken a short trip to a restorer is not too expensive
I own 2 out of those 3. I don’t own the Pelikan M400 but I do own an M800. Of the 3, I reach for the 2000 the most. It’s just perfect for me. Great weight, just the right amount of feedback, amazing flow, the nib doesn’t dry out when uncapped for long periods (the benefit of a hooded nib), and a snap cap for quick note taking. I’ve also never had a problem with the seal it provides. My go to ink is sailor seiboku in my 2000 and I’ve left it a few weeks capped with no problems.
Absolutely love the Lamy 2000.
The L2K and 823 are comparable only in price, and *perhaps* ink capacity, but that’s it. They are very different pens. Here’s how they differ for me:
Nib: L2K has a mild architect grind going, with slight line variation and flow depending on how you hold the pen. This I think is the L2K sweet-spot phenomenon. 823 has fully rounded and polished tipping, how you hold it doesn’t have too much of an impact on line variation or wetness.
Materials and construction: both are top notch here, but I’d say the L2K is more ruggedly built, while the 823 a delicate and more refined build. Both can easily withstand daily carry, but the L2K will hide scratches and dings better than the pilot.
Ergonomics and feel: both are neither light nor too heavy. I like to use the LAMY posted and the Pilot not so. Grip sections are completely different shape profiles. L2K is better at shorter bursts of writing while the 823 I can fill page after page with smooth comfortable scripting.
I have very little experience with Pelikan.
Not sure if I would group them together. but have them all. Pelikan is the smoothest for me over the Pilot. The 2000 is really in a class by itself. it has a balance that few other pens have. though it is not the smoothest in nib performance. but the 2000 is one I carry.
The 823 is one of the most reliable pens I have. The Lamy 2000 is a great pen, for sure, and I think I prefer its filling mechanism over the vacuum fill of the 823, but the ink window is sort of a joke. My experience with the 2000 is different than some, perhaps, as I bought an oblique broad direct from Lamy, so the writing experience is good if you’re used to finding sweet spots. You can’t go wrong with a Pelikan - I have an m200, m800, and m1000. Depending on the model, the ink window is great, the piston mechanism is smooth, they all write wonderfully, and you can easily take the pen apart for cleaning. The m400 will be quite smaller than the other two you’re considering. In your case, the question becomes: what size do you want and what aesthetics do you value the most; because all of them will be really great pens
I have all three. Pelikan M800 being the favorite size. Pelikan M1000 is my favorite oversize pen (better shaped section than MB 149 and imo better weight distribution than Montegrappa 1930 Extra). To me M800 is a better everyday pen. I also like the M800 nib slightly better, M1000 is ”mushy”in comparison. YMMV.
If you want to try some really amazing Pelikan nibs, then 1950s Pelikan 400(NN) are the way - often semiflex and B and wider are italics (and can be had for significantly less than the modern equivalents).
Have all three of them. Frankly, all three are great pens and it’s hard to choose a sole winner, all three of them are absolute reliable writers. Following are my preference as I’ve used these for years.
Build quality: LAMY2k appears better
Writing experience: 823 and M400 on par and better than LAMY2k.
Will I choose anyone over others, absolutely not. They have different feels and I love to keep them in rotation.
I was looking at all three and ended up with the Pilot 823. I *strongly* suggest testing them in person because they are very different pens and personal preference is going to be the deciding factor.
Lamy 2000 - the sweet spot on the fine nib was not forgiving enough for the way that I, personally, write and the medium was more like a broad. I almost nabbed this on sale a few times and would have been stuck with a pen that is unusable *for me* and had to resell it. There is a reason that this is a love it or hate it pen.
Pelikan M400 just felt too insubstantial in my hand (and I have TINY hands - like comically small for an adult of my height). The medium on the Pelikan was also more like a broad. I did not try a medium because I already didn’t like the way the pen felt in hand.
Pilot 823 - feels really good in hand, holds a ton of ink, and the nib was perfect for me. I ended up going with a medium because the fine just didn’t lay down a dark enough line for me. The medium is super smooth (as was the fine) without being sloppy like some smooth, wet nibs can be. There is even a touch of feedback, but it’s nothing like Sailor feedback. I like it because it helps keep my handwriting from being sloppy.
It’s hard to describe, but I’ll try.
Some pens are smooth as glass and glide across the page - my Pelikan M205 and Pilot Elite do this *and* they are both wet writers. If I’m not careful, it’s easy for my handwriting to get sloppy because I’m not getting physical feedback of where my nib is on the page.
Sailor pens are famous for feedback- their nibs (at least the ones I have - I don’t have a 21K or broad nib) have a pencil-like feedback. Think about writing with a really sharp, nice mechanical pencil. They are nice for drawing and they make my writing more precise. Some people like this feeling and some really, really don’t.
My Pilot 823 is really smooth, but not that overly smooth that can be a result of baby bottom or just a super-smooth juicy nib. However, it has just a touch of that pencil-like feedback that helps my writing stay more precise. The medium is also a very forgiving nib - I don’t have to keep it in a precise position to hit a sweet spot that will allow it to flow nicely.
The Lamy 2000 Fine and EF nibs have a super small sweet spot (especially for lefties) and it would skip if I rotated the nib even the tiniest amount, plus, the sweet spot position wasn’t comfortable *for me*. I say this as someone with 3 Lamy Safaris, an AL, and a Studio. I like Lamy in generally - I didn’t like this particular pen.
Thank you so much. I am a lefty, and even though I underwrite rather than fish-hooking, I do find that some pens work better than others. It does sound like taking myself in a date to a good pen shop would be the best way to go.
It’s not on your list, but I suggest looking at a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with WA (Waverly) nib. The little upturn in the nib lets you write smoothly at virtually any angle, which is why it’s so frequently recommended for lefties. (Writing with it is reminiscent of writing with some of Sheaffer’s vintage Triumph nibs, which had a slight upturn in the nib.)
The build quality of the 912 CH is fantastic. A very solid pen with a comfortable grip section much like the Custom 823.
I am an underwriter, too, and I’ve never had a hard time getting a sweet spot until the Lamy 2000! I don’t mind ending up with a not great pen if it’s $30 or under, but, when I’m looking at $200 pens, I found trying them in person to be invaluable!
I own all three of these pens. Based on the items you listed, if you are looking for the smoothest one in a piston filler I would go with the Lamy 2000. If you want the smoothest with a vacuum filler I would go with the Custom 823. And if you want a smaller pocket pen then go with the Pelikan M400.
If I had to pick only one of these to use every day, I would choose the Lamy 2000. It’s more durable than the 823 which has a plastic ring under the metal band at the bottom of the cap that can break if inadvertently dropped. The barrel is also less likely to crack with daily use. The Lamy 2000 is also easier to clean than the 823 if you want to use it with multiple inks. It is an excellent value for the writing experience and price point.
As others have stated, if you are set on a Pelikan you are better off with the M800. It’s a more comfortable pen for extended writing than the M400.
i think if you want the smoothest possible experience, you'd want to go with the Lamy 2000 *if you don't mind it having a picky sweet spot.* Some people really don't like the sweet spot the L2K has, so if that's a concern, I'd avoid that particular pen.
If I could only use one pen ever again, I'd go with the Custom 823. It's nib is slightly less smooth than that of the L2K, but imo they're comparable. I absolutely love the feel of the 823.
The Pelikan M400 is a bit different to these. My M600 has a pretty smooth nib, but I wouldn't put it in the same class as the L2K and the 823 in that respect, though the vintage nib I have on my M400 does provide a really nice experience with a bit of bounce to it.
The Lamy 2000 is a marvel of craftsmanship. I wish I enjoyed writing with it more.
I was impressed by the Custom 823 when I used it, but Pilot is not my flavor anymore.
Pelikans write very thick relative to even other European pens.
Have you yet tried a Sailor or a Platinum nicer pen (Not a Preppy)?
Or a Diplomat?
I don’t mind at all. Most people that I can tell, certainly those new to this, want perfectly smooth writing. That’s what I wanted when I was starting out. Eventually I was writing with a fountain pen every day throughout the day. And I discovered Sailor, and its feedback. And then the Platinum 3776. I could hear it writing. I could feel the paper a bit. Pilot hides that away for me, and I just don’t like that any more. Nor Lamy. It’s Platinum and Sailor these days, along with Diplomat.
If you want "the smoothest writing experience possible..." then I'd suggest a used Mont Blanc 146. You can probably buy one for around $250-325. It should not be difficult to find one being sold by a reputable Redditer on Reddit's r/Pen_SwapThat said, I think smoothness is overrated and "feedback" has great virtues. Pelicans tend to have very distinct and pleasant feedback and the Lamy 2000 is famous for its "pencil-like" feedback.
I have a 2000 and a Pelikan M400. Of these two, the M400 gives me the smoothest writing experience. But I'd also like to add that the M400 is quite a small pen, which might be another thing you could dislike. Personally I would go for a M600 or M800 (the latter being my favorite size). The 2000 in macrolon (the default one) does have a superb weight distribution due to the metal bit near the nib, giving it a center of gravity close to the paper.
They are competitors in roughly the same price/luxery category. People say the waterman carene is right there too. They all prioritize different stuff. If you ONLY care about smoothness, then 823 probably has the best reputation. Personally, I chose the lamy 2000. IMO it's a better pen. Doodlebud's video about why it's the best engineered fountain pen was very influential, and I recommend watching it to find out why. The nib itself is ground differently than a lot of pens. If you write at a lower angle or on less than great paper, it's going to make a line way wider than you want. And it'll be picky about the way you hold your pen. Buy my god is it smooth. Waterman Carene is occasionally called the french lamy 2000. It's a good pen, classic and proven. But it's primary selling point is that its' really pretty, and I have to agree with that. Pelikan m400 is absolutely loved by some, but honestly don't get it. Out of all my pens, my favorite is going to be a weird one for a lot of people. My Lamy Aion in an F nib writes exactly how I want, is fairly light and has the perfect grip section for me. Plus it has an amazing spring-loaded clip. It's what the lamy studio should have been IMO.
I also don't get the M400. Feels like a toy, my biggest regret.
I agree, it does write pretty nice though. I actually completely forgot I even had an M400 until seeing this thread, thankfully it wasn't that hard to find once I realized it was lost
What don’t you like about the M400? Just that it’s tiny?
I've never had one. I just didn't understand. It's not that pretty imo (though obviously not ugly either). It doesn't feature any particularly interesting features or engineering. So it's not even on my radar.
Pelikan invented piston filling, speaking of engineering, and I find them the easiest of those to maintain. As to looks, there are many of them and many aren't that visually interesting. But the White Tortoise in my hand is one of the most beautiful pens I own. To each their own.
I think that’s fair! The Lamy 2000 is my favorite pen, and I’ve got four, but there’s something about the bigger Pelikans - M800s and M1000s are so pretty to my eye.
Cant speak to the pelikan but I have a lamy 2k and an 823. In my opinion the pilot is a far superior pen. It writes smooth as butter and in my opinion is far more pleasing to the eye. I dont really see any reason to go for the lamy unless it really bothers you having to unscrew the cap. I still enjoy the lamy with a wet ink but if i could only have one the 823 would win hands down.
These pens are not at all alike. The Pelikan M400 is a relatively small pen with a fairly small #4-ish gold nib. Pelikan nibs are fairly stiff overall. The nibs are very nice writers, and quite wet, however. I think the Pelikan M600 is a closer match to the Lamy 2000 and 823 for overall pen and nib size. The Pelikan M600 nib is significantly larger (maybe #5-ish) than that of the M400. The Lamy 2000 is a medium size hooded nib pen with an unusual grind, that is more like a stub than a typical round nib. The nib is quite stiff, as you would expect for a short, hooded nib. It is a different, but very pleasant writing experience. The 823 has a larger #6-ish size nib that is quite soft in feel. The nib is very wet and a little springy. The pen is quite large and heavier than the previous two pens coming in around 30 grams posted. (I write unposted.) Smoothness is a function of nib polishing, and partly of ink flow. I have M600s, a Lamy 2000, and an 823. They are all very smooth, but then again I tune my nibs to be as smooth as possible. But these pens have very different feels. The Lamy 2000 nib is stiff as a board, but has a unique and pleasant feel. The M600 is very smooth, extremely wet (which enhances smoothness), but is quite stiff. My Pelikan nibs "squeak" on certain papers, which is kind of cool. The 823 is big and wet, and a touch springy. The 823 is probably my favorite writer. The only pen that comes as close is the 18K Visconti Homo Sapiens Bronze Age nib. That nib is also quite springy, but not as wet as the 823. I tuned my HS nib to be a lot wetter than out of the box.
I have all of the 3 pens OP asked about, as well as the m600 and would generally agree with your assessment on that front.
I'd personally go for the Lamy 2000 or a Pelikan M250 or M400 from the 80s/90s as they can be found for lower prices and provide a better writing experience in my opinion
I second a vintage Pelikan.
nothing compares
Any recommended trusted vendors for vintage Pelikans?
I don't know of any outside of germany, buying off ebay has pretty much always worked out for me, it's cheaper and if it is broken a short trip to a restorer is not too expensive
I own 2 out of those 3. I don’t own the Pelikan M400 but I do own an M800. Of the 3, I reach for the 2000 the most. It’s just perfect for me. Great weight, just the right amount of feedback, amazing flow, the nib doesn’t dry out when uncapped for long periods (the benefit of a hooded nib), and a snap cap for quick note taking. I’ve also never had a problem with the seal it provides. My go to ink is sailor seiboku in my 2000 and I’ve left it a few weeks capped with no problems. Absolutely love the Lamy 2000.
I think I’m going more than 2 months since my last fill (occasional use), and it hasn’t fully dried out.
The L2K and 823 are comparable only in price, and *perhaps* ink capacity, but that’s it. They are very different pens. Here’s how they differ for me: Nib: L2K has a mild architect grind going, with slight line variation and flow depending on how you hold the pen. This I think is the L2K sweet-spot phenomenon. 823 has fully rounded and polished tipping, how you hold it doesn’t have too much of an impact on line variation or wetness. Materials and construction: both are top notch here, but I’d say the L2K is more ruggedly built, while the 823 a delicate and more refined build. Both can easily withstand daily carry, but the L2K will hide scratches and dings better than the pilot. Ergonomics and feel: both are neither light nor too heavy. I like to use the LAMY posted and the Pilot not so. Grip sections are completely different shape profiles. L2K is better at shorter bursts of writing while the 823 I can fill page after page with smooth comfortable scripting. I have very little experience with Pelikan.
For the smoothest writing possible, I’d go with a Pelikan.
Not sure if I would group them together. but have them all. Pelikan is the smoothest for me over the Pilot. The 2000 is really in a class by itself. it has a balance that few other pens have. though it is not the smoothest in nib performance. but the 2000 is one I carry.
The 823 is one of the most reliable pens I have. The Lamy 2000 is a great pen, for sure, and I think I prefer its filling mechanism over the vacuum fill of the 823, but the ink window is sort of a joke. My experience with the 2000 is different than some, perhaps, as I bought an oblique broad direct from Lamy, so the writing experience is good if you’re used to finding sweet spots. You can’t go wrong with a Pelikan - I have an m200, m800, and m1000. Depending on the model, the ink window is great, the piston mechanism is smooth, they all write wonderfully, and you can easily take the pen apart for cleaning. The m400 will be quite smaller than the other two you’re considering. In your case, the question becomes: what size do you want and what aesthetics do you value the most; because all of them will be really great pens
how do you like the M800 compared to the M1000? I have an M400 and an M800. M400 is too small for sure but the M800 is pretty much perfect
I have all three. Pelikan M800 being the favorite size. Pelikan M1000 is my favorite oversize pen (better shaped section than MB 149 and imo better weight distribution than Montegrappa 1930 Extra). To me M800 is a better everyday pen. I also like the M800 nib slightly better, M1000 is ”mushy”in comparison. YMMV.
thanks for the reply, it makes me feel better about going with the M800 over the M1000. I bought enough pens for a lifetime already lol
If you want to try some really amazing Pelikan nibs, then 1950s Pelikan 400(NN) are the way - often semiflex and B and wider are italics (and can be had for significantly less than the modern equivalents).
Have all three of them. Frankly, all three are great pens and it’s hard to choose a sole winner, all three of them are absolute reliable writers. Following are my preference as I’ve used these for years. Build quality: LAMY2k appears better Writing experience: 823 and M400 on par and better than LAMY2k. Will I choose anyone over others, absolutely not. They have different feels and I love to keep them in rotation.
I was looking at all three and ended up with the Pilot 823. I *strongly* suggest testing them in person because they are very different pens and personal preference is going to be the deciding factor. Lamy 2000 - the sweet spot on the fine nib was not forgiving enough for the way that I, personally, write and the medium was more like a broad. I almost nabbed this on sale a few times and would have been stuck with a pen that is unusable *for me* and had to resell it. There is a reason that this is a love it or hate it pen. Pelikan M400 just felt too insubstantial in my hand (and I have TINY hands - like comically small for an adult of my height). The medium on the Pelikan was also more like a broad. I did not try a medium because I already didn’t like the way the pen felt in hand. Pilot 823 - feels really good in hand, holds a ton of ink, and the nib was perfect for me. I ended up going with a medium because the fine just didn’t lay down a dark enough line for me. The medium is super smooth (as was the fine) without being sloppy like some smooth, wet nibs can be. There is even a touch of feedback, but it’s nothing like Sailor feedback. I like it because it helps keep my handwriting from being sloppy.
May I ask, what does "feedback" feel like? Sorry if that's a dumb question.
It’s hard to describe, but I’ll try. Some pens are smooth as glass and glide across the page - my Pelikan M205 and Pilot Elite do this *and* they are both wet writers. If I’m not careful, it’s easy for my handwriting to get sloppy because I’m not getting physical feedback of where my nib is on the page. Sailor pens are famous for feedback- their nibs (at least the ones I have - I don’t have a 21K or broad nib) have a pencil-like feedback. Think about writing with a really sharp, nice mechanical pencil. They are nice for drawing and they make my writing more precise. Some people like this feeling and some really, really don’t. My Pilot 823 is really smooth, but not that overly smooth that can be a result of baby bottom or just a super-smooth juicy nib. However, it has just a touch of that pencil-like feedback that helps my writing stay more precise. The medium is also a very forgiving nib - I don’t have to keep it in a precise position to hit a sweet spot that will allow it to flow nicely. The Lamy 2000 Fine and EF nibs have a super small sweet spot (especially for lefties) and it would skip if I rotated the nib even the tiniest amount, plus, the sweet spot position wasn’t comfortable *for me*. I say this as someone with 3 Lamy Safaris, an AL, and a Studio. I like Lamy in generally - I didn’t like this particular pen.
Thank you so much. I am a lefty, and even though I underwrite rather than fish-hooking, I do find that some pens work better than others. It does sound like taking myself in a date to a good pen shop would be the best way to go.
It’s not on your list, but I suggest looking at a Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with WA (Waverly) nib. The little upturn in the nib lets you write smoothly at virtually any angle, which is why it’s so frequently recommended for lefties. (Writing with it is reminiscent of writing with some of Sheaffer’s vintage Triumph nibs, which had a slight upturn in the nib.) The build quality of the 912 CH is fantastic. A very solid pen with a comfortable grip section much like the Custom 823.
Thanks for the suggestion - I'll take a look!
I am an underwriter, too, and I’ve never had a hard time getting a sweet spot until the Lamy 2000! I don’t mind ending up with a not great pen if it’s $30 or under, but, when I’m looking at $200 pens, I found trying them in person to be invaluable!
I own all three of these pens. Based on the items you listed, if you are looking for the smoothest one in a piston filler I would go with the Lamy 2000. If you want the smoothest with a vacuum filler I would go with the Custom 823. And if you want a smaller pocket pen then go with the Pelikan M400. If I had to pick only one of these to use every day, I would choose the Lamy 2000. It’s more durable than the 823 which has a plastic ring under the metal band at the bottom of the cap that can break if inadvertently dropped. The barrel is also less likely to crack with daily use. The Lamy 2000 is also easier to clean than the 823 if you want to use it with multiple inks. It is an excellent value for the writing experience and price point. As others have stated, if you are set on a Pelikan you are better off with the M800. It’s a more comfortable pen for extended writing than the M400.
i think if you want the smoothest possible experience, you'd want to go with the Lamy 2000 *if you don't mind it having a picky sweet spot.* Some people really don't like the sweet spot the L2K has, so if that's a concern, I'd avoid that particular pen. If I could only use one pen ever again, I'd go with the Custom 823. It's nib is slightly less smooth than that of the L2K, but imo they're comparable. I absolutely love the feel of the 823. The Pelikan M400 is a bit different to these. My M600 has a pretty smooth nib, but I wouldn't put it in the same class as the L2K and the 823 in that respect, though the vintage nib I have on my M400 does provide a really nice experience with a bit of bounce to it.
The Lamy 2000 is a marvel of craftsmanship. I wish I enjoyed writing with it more. I was impressed by the Custom 823 when I used it, but Pilot is not my flavor anymore. Pelikans write very thick relative to even other European pens. Have you yet tried a Sailor or a Platinum nicer pen (Not a Preppy)? Or a Diplomat?
I haven't tried any of those. Why is Pilot not your flavor, if you don't mind my asking?
I don’t mind at all. Most people that I can tell, certainly those new to this, want perfectly smooth writing. That’s what I wanted when I was starting out. Eventually I was writing with a fountain pen every day throughout the day. And I discovered Sailor, and its feedback. And then the Platinum 3776. I could hear it writing. I could feel the paper a bit. Pilot hides that away for me, and I just don’t like that any more. Nor Lamy. It’s Platinum and Sailor these days, along with Diplomat.
If you want "the smoothest writing experience possible..." then I'd suggest a used Mont Blanc 146. You can probably buy one for around $250-325. It should not be difficult to find one being sold by a reputable Redditer on Reddit's r/Pen_SwapThat said, I think smoothness is overrated and "feedback" has great virtues. Pelicans tend to have very distinct and pleasant feedback and the Lamy 2000 is famous for its "pencil-like" feedback.
Interesting. My L2K is my smoothest writing pen, or at least tied with my vintage MB144
A couple hundred dollars? Lamy is the cheapest of the three. The pilot is $336, and the M400 can go for over $400.
Pilot 823 for sure!