GOOD KING LEONARDO ISN'T JUST LION AROUND!
Leonardo are the fountain pen manufacturing Phoenix that has emerged from the ashes of OMAS and Delta to produce extraordinary quality fountain pens that just keep getting better and better.
How fitting then, that Leonardo should offer two new fountain pens based on the Italian Volcanos Stromboli and Vesuvius!
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| Stromboli erupts! |
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
A limited production to begin with, the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Stromboli has made its way to me thanks to Novelli Pens (no affiliation), and, echoing the sentiments of all who have seen this pen, I provide this warning:
Opening the box may seriously lead the new owner to suffer inexhaustible paroxysms of joy!
APPEARANCE AND DESIGN
While there are some other interesting tweaks to this pen that separate it out from other Leonardo Momento Zero offerings, the explosive core of this pen IS its appearance.
Thanks to the genius of Jonathan Brooks of Carolina Pen Company the material on this pen (that he calls "Primary Manipulation") makes it both unique and superb.
No two pens are alike - giving you a sense of both artisan-made and exclusivity. And if you like colour... welcome to a cornucopia of shade, hues, tints, tinges, swirls, dabs, splatters and heaven!
The two offerings provide either a more greenish theme (the Stromboli: which I have) and a more red theme (the Vesuvio: seen below in a photo from the Novelli website):
I can't get enough of the variations and colours in my Stromboli. The cap has a more greenish theme, the section swirls with white, and the body runs with evocative clouds of lavender blues and pastels. While together this may seem to suggest a mish-mash of colours in sections that tear apart the uniformity of the design; this is not the case - all together this just works!
The white rhodium trim and nib work in beautifully with the resin, breaking it just enough to add interest.
Only one warning: if you order this pen because you want a particular pattern or colour combination, then this may not be the pen for you. You get what you get. Each pen, as I have said, is unique, and the colours land where they may. To me, this is another aspect that makes this pen highly desirable.
The white rhodium trim and nib work in beautifully with the resin, breaking it just enough to add interest.
Only one warning: if you order this pen because you want a particular pattern or colour combination, then this may not be the pen for you. You get what you get. Each pen, as I have said, is unique, and the colours land where they may. To me, this is another aspect that makes this pen highly desirable.
10/10
WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS
The Stromboli is not a heavy pen (35.3g); which is particularly pleasing because this is the larger of the Momento Zeros, the "Grande", and it's also a genuine piston filler which can often add weight to the equation. No. This pen has a comfortable weight that sits easily in the hand and can write away forever without feeling tiring.
Length wise, the Stromboli measures 15cm closed, 17cm posted and 13.5cm unposted. A good size.
At this size, the Stromboli is a comfortable write either posted or unposted, and doesn't seem too unbalanced when posted; although I should add that I hold my pen quite far back and if you tend to be a nib nurturer (ie. you hold your pen very close to the nib) then it may feel better unposted.
Length wise, the Stromboli measures 15cm closed, 17cm posted and 13.5cm unposted. A good size.
At this size, the Stromboli is a comfortable write either posted or unposted, and doesn't seem too unbalanced when posted; although I should add that I hold my pen quite far back and if you tend to be a nib nurturer (ie. you hold your pen very close to the nib) then it may feel better unposted.
9/10
NIB AND PERFORMANCE
This is the first of my Leonardo pens to have an Elastic nib. The elastic nib is a 14k gold nib (rhodium plated) that has a number of cut-outs and longer length to assist it to provide a semi-flexible result. The nib also has an ebonite feed (always my favourite as I find the ebonite helps to make a better -wetter - writer which is my preference).
For the first fill I chose Caran d'Ache Amazon. Amazon is a drier ink and as such the flow was bit quite where I would like it. For the second fill I used Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki and the flow was perfect. Using a variety of papers, the nib worked well; and best on tomoe river. This is not a full flex nib; and I am yet to find a modern flex that even approaches the glory of vintage flex; but the Leonardo Elastic nib has a nice bounce to it and produces a little variation without too much pushing.
8/10
FILLING SYSTEM
Piston fillers are always my preference, and this is the first time Leonardo have introduced their own piston filler.
My experience with Leonardo filling systems is that they enjoy being a little innovative and experimental and I like that. Apparently this one holds 1.5ml which is a handy amount. The piston reminds me a little of the Montegrappa ratchet piston which has a little tactile ratchet feel and sound to it; but actually I prefer the Leonardo which seems to feel a little more solid to me than the Montegrappa.
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| Photo of my pen sent by Novelli |
My experience with Leonardo filling systems is that they enjoy being a little innovative and experimental and I like that. Apparently this one holds 1.5ml which is a handy amount. The piston reminds me a little of the Montegrappa ratchet piston which has a little tactile ratchet feel and sound to it; but actually I prefer the Leonardo which seems to feel a little more solid to me than the Montegrappa.
10/10
COST AND VALUE
Only 100 of the Stromboli and Vesuvio were produced (50 of each) - all of which have (naturally) sold out. I believe a new batch are scheduled from November this year.
With a limited batch, a unique resin and a smaller, high quality manufacturer you can expect a higher price tag. (I must say that this is one area when the weaker Australian dollar, taxes and high cost postage can be nasty).
Nevertheless, the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Stromboli and Vesuvio are priced extraordinarily fairly; and the satisfaction/euphoria that comes with the end product is not to be denied.
With a limited batch, a unique resin and a smaller, high quality manufacturer you can expect a higher price tag. (I must say that this is one area when the weaker Australian dollar, taxes and high cost postage can be nasty).
Nevertheless, the Leonardo Momento Zero Grande Stromboli and Vesuvio are priced extraordinarily fairly; and the satisfaction/euphoria that comes with the end product is not to be denied.
9/10
CONCLUSION
The Stromboii is an eruption of bliss. Leonardo are proving themselves to be the new Royalty of Italian pen manufacturers; offering quality, innovation, creativity and flair!
93/100
00-50 = to be avoided at all costs
51-60 = if it’s cheap and you don’t really care….
61-70 = a nice pen with the makings of something better (just don’t spend too much)
71-80 = A better than average pen with just a few flaws that stop it from being really good
81-90 = A good pen, a keeper only a few minor places off being great
91-95 = Now THIS is a pen! If you can get it: keep it, love it, cherish it, and keep it away from the dog
96-100 = Grail
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