Lamy 2000 clone demonstrator in green

The Lamy 2000 recently arrived on my radar after ignoring it for so long, after some persuasive reviews about the way it's engineered. I recently picked one up from my local Lamy shop but never used it or filled it with ink, because I'm just not a huge fan of its appearance (which I find a bit bland). Lamy made some limited editions in blue and brown, but the prices are way out of my budget. I decided that before using it, I'd investigate some other similar pens and try to compare them side by side. I picked up a Montblanc 220, which I think is a more interesting design in the same makrolon material, The 220 is a lovely writer and feels like it's built to tight tolerances, though the relatively broad nib in mine is a bit much for me and it doesn't have the solid heft of the Lamy.

After digging for some more candidates, I discovered the Taobao Lamy 2000 clone which is made from someone in China with a 3D printer. I asked the seller if he could make one for me in dark green (the standard colours are a clear demonstrator, a teal demonstrator, and solid red). It would take a few months to make my green one, but he said he could do it. Today it arrived.

It's a true clone, with the same solid clip and includes a nice piston filling mechanism (though the pen doesn't have the Lamy name anywhere thankfully). Interestingly, the clip really does look like a Lamy, and it even had the Germany stamp underneath it (not sure if it really was pulled off a Lamy or not).

The nib appears to be a Platinum one, as it has their logo on it. Some people have said this is the nib from the Preppy / Plaisir, and it does indeed resemble it - except the one on the Lamy clone has a breather hole. So I'm not totally sure what nib this is. The only similar looking nib from Platinum that I've seen online is the Platinum Curidas nib, but maybe that one is smaller (?).

The piston worked perfectly and smooth, and I filled it up with GvFC Olive Green. It writes fantastically (though it doesn't work well for reverse writing). It's actually one of the better writers I have. The combination of the cloned Lamy 2k feed with the Platinum nib works great together. It's very smooth for a fine nib, yet so precise- which is great for me as a lefty. I can't compare the writing experience to the Lamy 2000 since I'm still debating whether to test the 2000 or not before selling it, but the clone is really working for me.

I'm very happy with the colour and the feel of the material in the hand too. However, does it stack up to the 2000? Well there are a few small areas where it's not quite on par in my opinion:

1. The cap - while both the Lamy and the clone use the same mechanism with a metal clutch, the Lamy has a more distinct and satisfying metal clink sound when closing it, while the clone makes more of a thud. Also the Lamy cap has some sort of metal insert, and the material feels thicker or more durable. Also the Lamy cap has a beveled edge, whereas the clone doesn't.

Interesting to note - the Lamy 2000 cap fits perfectly on the clone, but I couldn't fit the clone cap to fit the Lamy (maybe I'll try again later).

2. Posting - both pens post, but it's more difficult to get the clone to post, because sometimes it presses on the springy pieces of the clutch.

3. Heft - the Lamy feels a lot heavier and more substantial. I'm not sure if it's only because of its use of metal, but when you pick up the Lamy it definitely has a distinct feel of not being hollow. The clone feels a bit more like the Montblanc 220 in weight.

Overall I'm really happy with the clone, and while it won't give you the same feel as the 2000, it will leave you satisfied until Lamy decides to add some more colours to the 2000 range.