Hey Neukonzept and Digital Alan! Sorry this reply is a number of days late... I really should subscribe to some of these threads. :)

About paper- this is a good question. I have to admit that so far I've been very happy with the paper from Levengers. I never expected to purchase their cards, but did on a whim when I visited them in Marshal Fields in Chicago. Their 3x5's do write well, and I'm enjoying the lines. BUT- I will say this- I can't say that they're any better than the normal 3x5's as far as paper quality. The normal branded 3x5's were working well for me. Their "levenger-pads" Levengers also writes quite well. However, I also found that the Docket Gold Yellow/White pads (legal) available at office-depot worked wonderfully (tip from FPN). By far the smoothest experience I've had, however, is with my Triomphe pad. [Granted, I haven't been using FPN's all that long- so don't believe it's the smoothest] Although the Miquelrius is excellent, but it's not like writing on silk (the Triomphe is to me)... you'll quickly find that the 3x5's, the Docket Gold's, the Miquelrius etc., are all a step above the normal spiral-bound or loose paper stock, but that you can find pretty decent paper in unexpected places. Sometimes the right laser-printer paper is excellent. For more on paper, with a searchable interface, I'd suggest you check out The Fountain Pen Network (FPN) online: http://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/

Everyone there has been absolutely fantastic to chat with. Other wonderful papers I've heard are Rhodia pads, and G. Lalo etc. So, there are a number of them out there, and they vary by smoothness etc. The stuff you want to avoid is the feathering paper (ink leaches out in fibrils from the point of the pen as you write), and really see-through paper. The Moleskines I've written in were passable, but really weren't as nice as the Miquelrius, or any of the other papers mentioned here. An example is to just compare a simple 3x5 card made by one of the big 2 that make 'em (names escaping me now), and then write the same way in the Moleskine and the M. Cahier... this is why people have been complaining about their price. When you can buy a Clairfontaine spiral bound notepad with excellent paper for easily the same price or less. Heck, I think my huge Miquelrius was only like $9/10 bucks... that's what I'd pay for the smaller Moleskines I think.

But, for everyday writing etc., I picked up the heavier paper (20lb) Docket Gold based on a tip from FPN, and I'm quite happy with its lack of see-through, and lack of feathering. The paper has some heft to it, which makes it nice to use as well.

Wow, a Lamy 2000, eh? Wonderful! :) You've got a great pen there! If you're finding rough writing, you may also wish to write on a clean paper-bag for a bit... write for a while, test it on some paper, write for a while, test it on some paper... rinse, lather, repeat... stop when it's smooth to your liking. Brown paper bag is similar to a fine grit sandpaper and will smooth a nib. [don't go too crazy with it- you want to smooth it out a bit- be sure you hold it the same way you write when you write on the bag]

I'm fairly new to fountain-pens's, so if in doubt, search on FPN, or get on there and ask. They'll welcome you wholeheartedly. :)

Cheers!!

ps- pens and inks may be your downfall. :) I warn anyone who starts using them- you'll never buy just one, and when you buy a nice piston-filler, or the like, you'll be playing with inks as well- damn Noodler's is awesome. :)