This is a famous fountain pen, and there are countless reviews online.
There is an all steel version that costs about $100 more, but you probably don't want it. It is heavier -- and the black polycarbonate (Makrolon) is well regarded and virtually indestructable.
You hear things about this pen having a sweet spot or issues with Lamy quality control. I have heard the quality control issues debunked, but the pen is fussy about how you hold it. Many people say this is not an issue at all. It clearly depends on what nib you choose.
This is Lamy's flagship pen. It was designed in 1966 and is still the same pen 50+ years later. Like all Lamy pens, it is made in Germany.
I like the clean simple design. It has a shrouded nib, meaning that many people won't realize you are writing with a fountain pen. It is a piston fill. This means that it holds a lot more ink that a pen with a converter. Some people wish it held more, but if you are used to the capacity given by a converter, it will seem generous.
Makrolon is a fiberglass - polycarbonate composite. No doubt the trade name "Makrolon" was coined back in 1966. I like this much better than simple plastic or resin. Even better than "precious resin", ha, ha.
The nibs have a reputation of writing wider than people expect, especially if you are used to F or EF nibs from Japan. I sweated long and hard over this and decided to go with an F nib.
And it is a 14K Gold nib. It is solid gold (albeit 14K) with a silver color due to a rhodium coating. The nib is not spherical, but somewhat flattened, which is the root of the so called "sweet spot".
Tom's Pen Info / [email protected]