a play in 3 acts: leonardo momento zero prisma
Enter-
I generally don’t collect different colour editions of the same pen model. There are a few, like the Lamy Safari and Kaweco Sport, but nothing pricier. The only exception to that is the Leonardo Momento Zero. This special edition for Stilo & Stile brings much different aesthetic -and nib- choices to my table of Momento Zero pens.
act 1: the body
The resin of this pen is the same semi-transparent one that they used for their Pura models. In white, it reminds me of ice. The frosted effect has a pleasant tactile feeling to it. It’s not smooth like other resin pens that I own and also not like the matte anodised pens like Lamy Aion’s grip section or Lamy Studio’s body. This matte/frosted effect gives the pen a special je ne sais quoi that completely transparent pens lack. The frosted effect makes the Leonardo Momento Zero x Stilo & Stile branding harder to see. I like the branding choice of Leonardo, it’s a subtle solution to the over-branding that most companies fall into. Thankfully, the pen industry seems to be mostly spared of this trap.
The concave grip section fits perfectly between my fingers and the size assures a balanced writing experience through long sessions. I prefer the smaller size to the Grande, as that one becomes a little tiring after a while. This pen has the same size and balance, but the textured resin has a different grip that I enjoy. It is the (not so) subtle changes to the writing experience makes this hobby so exciting.
Okay, I also love the bright colours.
act 2: the trim
Paired with the simple resin, the rainbow trim pops like nothing I’ve ever seen. Rainbow is having its moment right now, and the main groups seem to be: rainbow trim or rainbow parts with transparent body (mainly TWSBI and Laban), the full rainbow treatment (Conklin) and the matte black resin with rainbow trim (Conklin again). Those never grabbed my attention, because they’ve always felt like there is so much going on on the pen at the same time. Too many moving parts, sloshing ink, too much colour, too much contrast. It’s all too much for my poor, easily distracted brain to handle. The Prism changes the game. The matte white compliments the trim, instead of accentuating it. It doesn’t have the extravagance that matte black and rainbow trim has. Your eyes can glide over the design, the smooth blend of everything without being overwhelmed.
The absolute cherry on top is the immense attention to detail. The metal parts inside the pen are also treated with the rainbow coating and they peak through the semi-transparent resin. The matte body, the combination of softer rainbow colours and the brighter metal trim outside brings together the idea of the prism together. The white light refracts in the intricately cut prism to create different intensities of rainbows. It is a simply beautiful idea, executed masterfully.
act 3: the nib
Earlier this year, Leonardo released their “elastic” nibs. These have cut-outs to give a bit more -well- give to the nib to create a softer, more flex-like experience. I don’t personally push my pens to create dramatic line variation, merely because I don’t have the control or experience to not to push the nib to its limit. And no desire to learn how to do it at this point in my life. So, I never was much interested in buying one until this pen came along.
The cut-outs are only an aesthetic choice for me. I like how they look. They give even more fanciness to an already very fancy pen. The nib already has bounce and softness to it to give my writing some flair. The tails of my “g” and the downstrokes of “f” letters are thicker. It’s fun to write with it on a daily basis as well.
The final touch on the nib is the Stilo & Stile logo replacing the regular Leonardo logo on the nib. I already like their logo, and it looks awesome on the nib. As a person that has never done etching in their entire life, the level of detail is quite impressive. The slit between the tines and the breather hole are clearly visible in the tiny etching.
The nib is smooth without any problems. I enjoy using it. My only real problem with Leonardo nibs is that I don’t know what I’ll get. All three of my Leonardo nibs are supposed to be fine, but they all have a different line width. The first one I got has a Bock fine nib, which is so wet and broad that it writes like a medium, if not a broad. The second one has a Jowo fine nib, which is honestly the only thing close to fine. Though at times I feel like it is a hair too thin to be a Western fine, but that’s just nitpicking. I understand that the last one is an elastic nib and will be more responsive to pressure, but even under only it’s own weight, it is a bit too thick. Maybe more of a medium-fine, especially for me, as I hold the pen at a lower angle to the paper.
Unsurprisingly, I love using this pen. The surprise is that how much I enjoy the matte textured barrel and the rainbow trim. I’m curious to see how both of those treatments will fare over time. Sometimes matte treatments become shiny and smooth again with use, and metal coatings chip away. Hopefully, none of these will be a problem, as no complaints about Leonardo has reached my ears. The pen is currently inked with Diamine Aurora Borealis, a nice compliment to the blues in the rainbow. For some reason, I was expecting a much brighter teal, and it was pleasantly muted, which I prefer. The paper is Midori this time, it’s a little toothier and less absorbent than my regular writing sample paper.
Exeunt-
Thank you for reading!