Leonardo Momento Zero Grande #8 La Fenice Nib Fountain Pen Review 4K

[@penthevision4706]

Excellent review. Thank you. There seems to be a lot of hype around these Leonardo pens - I am yet to try one. I was happy to see your Montegrappa Extra, I brought mine out the other day - it’s a beautiful pen.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

In terms of build quality and technical knowhow I think Montegrappa surpasses most brands and in terms of artistic techniques they go toe to toe with Montblanc. With Leonardo, they make a good quality pen but they release pens so fast with so many different materials that none of their pens feel special. More restraint would elevate this brand. I don't want to drink from a firehose.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Brilliant review. I am disappointed that Montblanc 149 now stopped ebonite feed, and piston is not metal. While Leonardo MZG is less expensive and has better parts. Montblanc is resting on its reputation, while other companies are working to improve their pens.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the comment. I agree that Leonardo makes a good quality pen for a fair price but I do believe the current Montblanc 149 nibs are some of the nicest modern nibs available. I prefer it to the Fenice and other great nibs like the Pelikan M1000 nib.

[@jamespicht1128]

I think the most irritating thing about the Leonardo website isn’t all the choice, but the fact that I can’t filter out the pens they don’t have. I’ve gone looking through their special edition pens a few times, a lot were marked “SOLD OUT”, then I’d see one I really liked and click on it only to be told, “unavailable”. With so many pages of pens, probably most of them sold out, it’s just a pain to find something you like that isn’t sold out. After a couple of minutes of frustration, I abandon the site to look for something that isn’t sold out. Leonardo isn’t the only pen-related website that makes it hard to filter out the sold out items. I don’t know why so many vendors keep sold out items in their list of inventory. I hate it. I mean, I really, really hate it. Nothing is more likely to make me abandon a site except for not being able to get rid of a popup that doesn’t let me see details of goods for sale. I’ve run into that issue with Cult Pens, a site I refuse to look at any more. Phew! It feels like I’ve just vented! Feels good to get that off my chest. Leonardo’s prices seem pretty reasonable. No, not just pretty reasonable; _really_ reasonable. I doubt I’ll be shopping there any time soon, though. I guess I need to drop in on the Paper Mind site to check your selection of Kyo-no-oto inks.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi James, thanks for your comment! You are right. They should have a "Past Editions" section so that the shopping experience isn't polluted by sold out items. I wonder if they keep sold out products up for SEO but either way they should offer a way to filter them out.

[@csh28]

Love your reviews! Have to ask, is that the Bay in the background?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you! Yes that is the Bay.

[@coldshadow3480]

The La Fenice pattern is copied from Tibaldi's premium gold nibbed pens. If you google "tibaldi bononia vintage nib" you can see what I mean. Personally I prefer the Tibaldi version with the eagle instead of the clipart looking Leonardo wings. In regards to the plain Leonardo #8 nib, I believe that was made by Bock.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I did not know that Tibaldi made a nib with a very similar design. So Tibaldi nib design was first? Good to know the plain #8 was made by Bock. I wasn't sure if it was in-house.

[@coldshadow3480]

@@BlakesBroadcast Yes the Tibaldi design was first. They have used it intermittently throughout the years, one such example was 2006's Tibaldi Divina which was released 10 years before Leonardo was even founded.

[@kinghenry567]

Did you ever do a review of the Mosaico?

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Not yet, it's next my list, so I should have a review up in 1-2 months.

[@gky7170]

love my la Fenice #8 nib. would have liked an 18k or 21k nib as the higher gold content is aesthetically more satisfying as well as having a slightly softer feel in regards to the nib-to-paper experience. the latter observation has little to do with the gold content per se but probably because the finer gold content makes companies use a thinner gauge metal (or narrower tine) which influences the perception of a softer/flexier feel. the slight variation in size of the MZG's is a testament to the fact that the pens are handcrafted which is a plus for me so long as they are not sloppily finished. Leonardo appears to take customer suggestions to heart more than the more established companies which is another plus. another useful review - keep up the good work!

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you. Glad to hear your like yours. What body do you have on your la Fenice? I agree 18kt would be a nice touch. Each pen I showed has a different nib, I wonder if that has to do with the overall length or if it is just the hand crafted variation from hand turning the pens.

[@gky7170]

@@BlakesBroadcast I recently purchased the "Van Gogh" from Korea Pens with the Brooks resin and #8 fenice nib. David at Figboot did a great review on this pen. also have a #8 as on your pen on a Mosaico body from Akkerman. Fun fact - the fenice stamping is very similar to the Tibaldi 18k #6 nib that I have on a Bononia body...

[@gihanzohdy3284]

Excellent review. I love Leonardo pens because not only are they comfortable, they are very well engineered and great writers too. I own a Mosaiico Hawaii that tells a lot about this brand.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Glad to hear from a happy Leonardo owner.

[@brianackin1580]

I got my first #8 nib a few months ago and thought it would be huge compared to a #6. I was a bit disappointed to see it was only a bit bigger. I think the #8 should be the standard and #6 should be considered small. Ha ha. Of course, it depends on your hand size. Nice review. Thanks!

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Hi Brian, thanks for your comment. Because these pens are so big, I agree that the #8 is more proportional. I actually the size difference between #6 and #8 with Leonardo is pretty decent. Similar to a Montblanc 146 vs 149 nib.

[@LawryBoyer]

First review I’ve seen comparing them. To my eyes the Fenice and previous #8 are identical in shape just with the texture. I don’t see them advertising one as in house and the other not, curious if that is the case. I agree they give too many options. I’ve only written with the older #8 nibs at a meetup and just ordered one because I loved it. Hoping I don’t get the Fenice if it is less soft but it didn’t say…

[@BlakesBroadcast]

I would be curious to hear how your new Leonardo writes.

[@djc8744]

it does not matter how long they've been in the fountain pen game. Many agree on the fact that the Leonardo brand makes very good pens...well built and do not have an inflated price tag, compared to other pens with the same raw materials and built quality. Their steel nibs are very smooth and the gold ones are...well...gold...so super expensive just like the other gold nibs in the market...

[@BlakesBroadcast]

The brand story matters to me, especially when I am buying a premium product. Nothing wrong with a newer brand but not having the story is always a negative for me. The three pens I have experienced from the brand have appear to be good quality and nice writers.

[@nccastro653]

The quality of your videos… man! I really love everything ! The camera angles. Writing. Colors. Sound. Please continue !

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you so much!

[@zedleppelin2287]

Your thumbnail images are always amazing

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you!

[@panopticonwillsaveus]

Pretty sure the first Leonardo pens (the original Momento Zeroes) came out in 2018.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Okay that sounds about right for when I remember first seeing them.

[@freespirit995]

@@BlakesBroadcast I seem to remember going to Stilograph Corsani in Rome in 2016 and buying my first Leonardo Momento Zero- a 'Blue Abyss' with a steel fine nib. It is still in frequent use and was the start of a whole series of Leonardos...!

[@wendyyap3665]

Love your videos, candid and informative. Great that you're reviewing the Leonardo MZ. Hope you'll get the chance to review the in-house cursive italic nib. These videos are hard to find. Looking forward to your next review.

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Glad to hear you like them! I'll be adding a Leonardo with a #8 italic nib to my collection at some point. Very impressed with these pens.

[@wendyyap3665]

@BlakesBroadcast , can't wait for your review. Whether this nib will displace the aurora italic as your favourite italic nib.

[@DrDavidMLevy]

Interesting if this Delta reborn! Thanks for the review!

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thanks for the comment David. I am not sure of the original founders involvement but the Delta brand name has been brought back with pens that look a lot like the original Delta Dolcevita pens but with Jowo nibs.

[@HomerIncognito]

Delta, Maiora and Nettuno 1911 are owned and manufactured by one company. Leonardo is a different company and manufacturer.

[@catwhisperer911]

Nice!

[@BlakesBroadcast]

Thank you!