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.)

Edison Pen Co. Comet Fountain Pen Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

The new Edison Comet pen model first caught my eye on the Edison Pen Co. Instagram, and when I saw they were bringing them to the Chicago Pen Show, I knew I might be in trouble. Sure enough, there were trays and trays of temptation there--but this one stood out. I've been drooling over Jonathon Brooks's abalone material since its debut, but hadn't scored any yet. Edison and Brooks combined? There was no way I was going home without this pen.

The unbalanced look of this pen is a bit odd. The top-heavy domed cap is unusual and may not have captivated me if I hadn't nerded out over the inspiration--a comet with a trailing tail. The translucent material at the top reminds me of a crystal ball, and the shimmery abalone looks absolutely magical. It reminds me of very happy memories studying the Hale-Bopp comet in my 8th grade physics class, when my best friend and I were studying astronomy for Science Olympiad.

But you don't need to be a nerd to love this pen. While the cap looks top-heavy, the material is light and the cap posts deeply, so it feels perfectly balanced when writing (whether your post or not). The joins are smooth and the clip is sleek and flexible. The grip section has a comfortable concave center that flares enough to keep your fingers from slipping down to the nib. The threads above the grip section are very smooth.

Mine has a broad stainless steel nib. I don't usually get broad nibs--I prefer needle EFs--but that means I have a lot of EFs, and I knew I'd want to put lighter colored inks in this pen. I also had Brian tune the nib to be super wet and smooth--so it's the perfect pen for inks that I love that are too pale to be read easily in finer lines. Of course, getting a custom tuning of the nib is an advantage of pen show attendance, but I've always had good experiences with Edison's nibs.

Overall, the pen is beautiful, a pleasure to write with, and makes me think of happy memories. The only criticism I have is that it's so pretty that sometimes it distracts me while I'm writing and I just twist the pen in the sun watching the shimmer while time passes by.

I conveniently forget what I paid for my pen (pen show brain fog), but Edison offers a lot of customization of materials and filler systems that influence their prices. A base price for the Comet on their site now is $275, and they have a large selection in stock currently—several of which want to come live at my house. Please go buy them so I don't.

(I bought this pen at standard retail from Edison Pen Co. at the 2022 Chicago Pen Show.)

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RIIND Compact Pen Review

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

The world of custom machined pens is so fascinating to me, largely due to the constant innovation and release of new products. There's always something new around the corner to satiate any obscure pen refill or aesthetic needs you may have. At a higher level, they all perform a simple duty: they're all writing instruments in the same way a Bic is a writing instrument. But the individual design, craftsmanship, and vision is what sets these bespoke objects apart from anything you can find that's mass-produced.

The latest machined pen to cross my desk is from RIIND. After a successful Kickstarter run, the Compact and Slim ballpoint pens are being manufactured to fulfill the rewards. At some point, they'll also be available to purchase from RIIND in the event you missed out on the initial fundraiser. The RIIND Compact is what I'm using here, and it's their smaller body that uses a Parker refill. The pen comes with a Parker Quink 1.0mm black refill, and it writes beautifully for a ballpoint. The ink flow is smooth, and it starts writing immediately. While it isn't as crisp as gel ink, it's still a great writing experience and maintains a small package. Since it's a Parker style refill, you have a lot of options if you don't like the Quink refills.

The RIIND is machined from aluminum, and my review unit is actually anodized in a lovely dark blue. This wasn't available in the original Kickstarter campaign, but I hope it's available as an option to purchase because it's a great color.

The grip features an aggressive knurling texture that feels really good when writing. There's no feeling of slipping when using this pen due to the tactile grip. Even though the knurling feels intense, it's not overly sharp or unpleasant. It provides excellent grip while being pleasant to hold and use.

The twist cap uses the same knurling to great effect. You can twist the cap either way to open/close the pen. It takes a little bit of force to turn it, but once you get used to the effort needed to operate, it's a piece of cake to operate with one hand. Since the pen is fairly short, using it with one hand is pretty easy. Not sure if the same can be said for the longer G2 refill sibling.

The twist mechanism is really fun to use and very tactile. The resistance from the spring grows stronger right until the moment the nock clicks over to either extend or retract the refill. The click is crisp and clean, and there's a satisfying sound to go along with it. It's safe to say this can fill in for your favorite fidget toy.

The clip is unique and is one of my favorite aspects of the pen's aesthetics. How many different ways can you shape a tube that holds a refill? That's why the clip design is so important with these machined pens — that's where you can really set the pen apart from all the others. RIIND does that exceptionally well here with a robust clip that acts like a carabiner clip. The attachment points are staggered, giving the clip torsion when you pull it away from the pen body. It works really well! Despite being smooth and not using a clip shape at the end to grab onto things, it has no problem securing the pen to whatever you clip it to. The staggered attachment points add visual interest to the pen due to the lack of symmetry. I love looking at it, and it's also a joy to use.

Since this model is made of aluminum, it's not very heavy. It weighs more than other aluminum pens I own, but not by much. I think most of the additional weight is due to the unique retraction mechanism and possibly a thicker than normal pen body wall. This thing feels indestructible.

Writing with this pen has been a fantastic experience. The Parker Quink refill has never been my favorite, but I've found myself picking this pen up more often than not despite the "sub-par" refill. I've enjoyed using it, and I think most of that comes down to how it feels in my hand and it handles when I'm writing. It's balanced perfectly and offers a fantastic level of control.

When it comes to machined pens, our options are plentiful. It's a fun space to explore, and when you find the right one for your style and taste, it's easy to pull the trigger. If the tubular and gnarly knurling juxtaposition of the RIIND meets your fancy, you'll love using it. At $99 (shipping included for US customers), it's also a fair deal. You can get aluminum machined pens for less (and more), but I think the quality, fit and finish, and writing experience are well-worth the cost of admission here.

Pre-orders are open now for both the Compact, as featured in this review, and Slim models.

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

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!