Leonardo Officina Italiana Momento Magico, The OG

Several years ago, Leonardo Officinia Italiana burst onto the fountain pen scene and has been going gangbusters ever since with a variety of colors, models and filling systems, including the Momento Zero and Furore among others. In late May of 2021, they announced their newest model, the Momento Magico, which is a piston filler fountain pen that bridges the gap between the Momento Zero (MZ) and the Momento Zero Grande (MZG).

Now, I know what you’re going to say. You’re probably going to tell me that Leonardo released a new version of the Magico a couple months ago, so why bother writing about a prior version? For starters, I actually wrote this article last year but for one reason or another, it just never made it to the blog. I do plan on reviewing the new Magico (soon, my precious, soon) when it gets to me, but I wanted folks to get a sense of the original version so they can make an informed decision about which one they may like better.

The Magico has a special box sleeve and the pen was enclosed in the standard black Leonardo pen box. Inside, you will find the pen and a booklet for the Magico - on the back, you can scan the code to get instructions on how to disassemble the pen with the piston tool, sold separately.

No mistaking this box sleeve for the regular Momento Zero!

Sizewise, the Magico is the Goldilocks of the Momento Zero family, not too big and not too small in both grip size and length. The Magico is a bit larger than the MZ and a bit smaller than the MZG, both capped and uncapped. Both the MZ and MZG sports a bit of a sloped “step” in the section which some users may find distracting. The Magico has a different grip section which also has a slight flare near the end to prevent fingers from slipping forward, which the other two do not. As an owner of all three models, I have found them equally comfortable, but the Magico may be a better fit for those who don’t like the MZ/MZG grip section.

Left to right: LMZ Pietra Marina, Magico Tropical, MZG Caraibi.

Measurements: Momento Zero (with converter)

Weight (g)

29.50 (capped)

21.36 (uncapped)

Magico

23.61 (capped)

15.72 (uncapped)

Momento Zero Grande

32.00 (capped)

20.24 (uncapped)

The Magico, being a piston filler and larger than the MZ, is surprisingly lighter. This surprised me but I was reminded that the MZ converter is a bit longer and heavier than a regular standard international converter because of the longer, metal knob. It is similar in weight to a Pilot Metropolitan, a touch heavier than the Sailor Pro Gear, and a little lighter than the Esterbrook Estie. This lighter weight can give the impression that it feels less sturdy than its MZ/MZ counterparts. While not necessary for cleaning, one can disassemble the Magico with the Leonardo piston tool (sold separately). I’m not sure I’d want a piston tool to be included with every Magico, especially since they cost ~$35, which would make the price go up.

As piston tools go, this one feels substantial, which is good given its price tag.

As one would expect, the Magico’s Jowo 6 nib wrote great out of the box. The Magico uses the standard plastic feed (the MZG has an ebonite feed) and the nib unit can be unscrewed from the grip section. You can also upgrade to a gold nib. Like the MZG, the Magico also holds 1.5ml of ink. This model also sports a transparent ink window which is visible while capped.

Writing sample from the Stilo e Stile exclusive, Tropical with a Broad steel nib and Akkerman 28, the best bright green ink ever.

The pen comes in several colors/patterns as well as silver or gold trim (though there were exclusives that came in rose gold trim).

The Magico was originally released in these colors: Miele, Tramonto, Pietra Salata, Millefiori, Black Matte and Glossy (Image credit:: Leonardo Pens)

Comparison against other similarly sized pens as well as other piston/vac fillers: Platinum 3776, TWSBI 580, Sailor Pro Gear, Pelikan M600, Leonardo Momento Zero, Aurora Optima, Memento Magico, Pelikan M800, Momento Zero Grande, Esterbrooke Estie, TWSBI Vac 700R, Pilot Custom 823.

Pros

• The Leonardo Momento Magico pen is a great option for folks who want a different grip from the MZ and MZG models and also want a piston filler.
• Unlike earlier models of the MZ, which also used Bock nibs, the Magico’s Jowo nib unit is easily removable, making nib swapping a breeze.
• The Magico was available for ~$200 USD and lower prices may be found now that the 2022 version has been released.

Neutral

• The ink window is visible while capped, which does not affect functionality. This is purely aesthetics which may or may not bother folks.
• The piston tool is not included and is sold separately for ~$35.

Cons

• If you prefer heavier pens, this may not be the best model for you as it is lighter than the other two Leonardo models.
• There is a sizable jump in price for the gold nib, as is the case with all of their models; it would cost an additional ~$200 to upgrade to a gold nib..

In short, the Leonardo Momento Magico is a great pen for folks who don’t love the MZ/MZG grip, and also prefer piston-fillers. If seeing the ink window when it is capped doesn’t bother you, consider snagging one of the original Magicos - especially if you like the Miele or Tramonto patterns. The price was very reasonable before and deals may be found now that the new 2022 model is out. I’m glad I have the OG Magicos and I can’t wait to try the next one!

(All pens in this review were purchased with my own funds and received no compensation from Leonardo Officina Italiana or any vendors for this review.)

Leonardo Momento Zero Mango Fountain Pen Review

Why do I love the Leonardo Momento Zero so much?

Materials, for starters. I mean, look at this Mango model with black trim. I’m not strong enough to take a pass on this one, despite having a few other colorful MZ’s in the library already. The colors are bright and fun, while having a certain depth and complexity upon closer inspection.

Materials aren’t the only external feature that I enjoy - the barrel shape is practically perfect. It is a classic silhouette, with modern refinement. From the slight peaks on the end caps, to the triple-ring cap band, to the simple but stylish clip, it is clear that Leonardo Officina Italiana takes great pride in their manufacturing process.

From a writing perspective, it meets or exceeds all expectations. The Extra Fine steel Jowo nib is tuned perfectly right out of the box, and has a nice firmness - with a medium ink flow - when writing. The black plating is stunning, and doesn’t seem to add to the line width, which I’ve experienced from other plated nibs.

It’s well-balanced in the hand unposted. When posted, it is obviously top-heavy, but it still may be workable for those who like larger pens.

If there is any question about the writing feel, it would be the section design. The upper part of the section is the widest point, which then tapers towards the middle, and finally into a flat area leading to the end of the barrel. I’m not sure I have another pen with this exact shape, but it works well for me. Why? Because I’m a low-gripper by nature. My fingers lock into place as soon as I pick it up, and never budge.

I think you will be fine with a higher grip as well. The barrel threads are relatively tame and never caused me any issue as I moved my grip higher. I do wonder, though, if us low-grippers have a built-in advantage.

Too keep my fawning session rolling, I’ll tell you this: This is my favorite ink converter. Sure, it is simply a Jowo with a fancy metal sleeve over the plastic twist mechanism, but darn it if it doesn’t make me feel special! Oh, by the way, there is a blind cap on the end of barrel for easy access - if you are in to that kind of thing.

Making me feel special is the kicker with the Leonardo Momento Zero. It feels great every time I pick it up and use it. And when I’m not using it, I’m thinking about using it. That’s a clear sign that a pen is perfect for me. Will it be perfect for you? Who knows. But I think it is about as good of a starting point as there is.

The Mango model with black trim retails for $199, and provides great value. Not only do I personally love it, it also ranks as the #2 recommendation on my Top 5 Fountain Pens between $150-$200 list. Additionally, you can find other models, or even the tapered-end Furore model, starting at $169 for some colors - with zero difference in performance.

I’ve been impressed with what Leonardo has brought to an ever-growing fountain pen market since their launch. Luckily for me, and us, they show no signs of slowing down any time soon.

(Goldspot provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Leonardo Officiana Italiana Messenger Fountain Pen Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

Up until the last couple of weeks, I haven't had the pleasure of using a Leonardo fountain pen. I've heard about them and seen plenty of photos of these Italian beauties, and I've wanted to try one out to see what all the fuss is about. Based in Italy, the Leonardo brand uses unique and colorful materials to create modern fountain pens that perform beautifully at a reasonable cost. Unlike a lot of premium luxury brands, Leonardo pens don't compare in price with things like rent or a mortgage payment.

The Messenger fountain pen is a limited edition that celebrates the leap year. Since there are 366 days in a leap year, there are also a limited number of each Messenger color option (366 of each). The number of each pen copy is stamped into the lower exterior cap opposite the clip side. It's a nice touch for a really fun and pretty material design. Even if 2020 is easily the worst year in modern history, these bright pens can (hopefully) bring joy to your day.

The Messenger is what I call a "standard" size, which is similar to a TWSBI 580 or Lamy Safari in length and diameter. The silver accents go nicely with the cool and refreshing teal material. This particular color is called Aqua or Water, and it has veins of lighter colored material rippling through the translucent teal body and cap that really make this pen a joy to behold. The grip section features the same material, which allows you to see the metal assembly that holds the nib and feed collar in place. The grip is a nice shape and fits well in the hand.

The cap secures to the pen with a quick twist. Capping and uncapping the pen takes about 1.5 rotations to fully remove or secure the cap. It's a quick motion but also feels very secure when you've tightend the cap down. There's also a good "closed" feeling when screwing down the cap so that you know it's set. Some caps feel a little mushy or vague when capping, which can cause you to over-tighten the cap, increasing the likelihood of the cap developing tiny fractures, cracks, or even splitting over time. The cap also posts on the back of the pen body, but I found that the combined length is too much for normal writing.

The pen comes in a case that also includes a cartridge converter. I'm always very thankful when a pen manufacturer includes a converter because they understand the wide, wide world of ink choices, and it also means I don't have to go digging through a drawer to find the right size and fit of converter laying around.

The Jowo nib is a fairly large stainless steel nib, but the size of the nib fits the size of the body perfectly. It's a stiff nib but still has a pleasant feel when writing; it doesn't feel like you're writing with a needle. The grip section is also quite comfortable. Even though the section is smooth, it has a nice tapered shape and a butt at the of the grip to keep your fingers from slipping off onto the nib and feed. I've been really comfortable when writing with this pen.

The writing performance of the Messenger is also quite nice. It's a smooth writer and has zero issues starting after being unused for a while. I even left the pen uncapped for a while when I had to step away unexpectedly during the photoshoot. After 20 minutes, I came back and tried using the pen again — to my shock and surprise, it started writing with zero hiccups or dryness!

The fine nib in my copy is a great representation of the European fine nib size. The nib is smooth and creates a reliable and consistent line. I've had zero complaints with this nib out of the box, and it always makes me happy when a nib performs as expected without the need for any tuning or adjustments.

At $164, the Messenger isn't an impulse buy, but it's also really fairly priced given the quality and beautiful, unique materials that are used in the pen. Sure, you can find some fountain pens in this price range that feature a great gold nib, but the body will be quite boring in comparison to this one. I've really enjoyed having this Water variant on my desk to add a bit of cheer to the day.

If the Water / Aqua color isn't for you, you can also choose from Green, Orange, Red, and Caramel.

(The Pen Addict ordered this pen from site sponsor Pen Chalet using the 10% off podcast code.)

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