If you would ask me what the one pen brand is that the fountain pen community talks about most these days, my answer would clearly be: Leonardo Officina Italiana. Or in short: Leonardo (pens). Here’s a bit of context as to who Leonardo pens are:

In 1978, the father of ASC (Armando Simoni Club pens) founder Emmanuel Caltagirone started his own pen company. His first customer in 1982 was Ciro Matrone, one of the founders of the Delta pen company.  Almost 40 years later, Ciro’s son Salvatore makes the Armando Simoni Club pens in Naples, Italy – and now, he has launched his own brand: Leonardo Officina Italiana.

https://ascpens.com/collections/leonardo-pens

Now, what is it that makes these pens such a buzz those days? Well, I think the ingredients are as simple as they are a strike of genius. Here’s the recipe how I read it:

Many fountain pen-aficionados like colorful pens with interesting patterns. And Leonardo provides their pens in all kinds of color-universes – from muted dark colors to super bright and shiny materials. Want a gold or a silver trim? Leonardo has them both – mostly for each color. Want a more affordable resin or a more expensive ebonite pen? The Leonardos are available in both materials. You’re welcome.

Want a piston filler or a cartridge/converter filler? Leonardo provides you with an interesting hybrid: the pens are c/c-fillers with a blind cap at the end of the pen that you can unscrew to engage the converter – so a ‘pseudo’-piston filler. Many people like No. 6-sized nibs. That’s just what the Leonardos sport – so it’s also easy to exchange that nib. And, last but not least, Leonardo offers their pens in the two most popular pen shapes: the classic ‘cigar shape’ (the Furore) as well as the ‘flat top shape’ (the Momento Zero).

In Europe, the Leonardo Officina Italiana fountain pens are widely available from retailers such as Fontoplumo or Appelboom, for instance. Before we hop into the review, I would like to thank Leonardo pens for supporting the review of this pen.

But now, check out the video-review below, which is as always preceded by some quick facts. Again, I hope the review is helpful and that you enjoy watching it!

Quick Facts

• Leonardo Momento Zero “Positano” & Furore “Sun Yellow” (available in a number of other different barrel- and trim colors)
• Resin barrel (marbled/swirls)
• Silver colored metal accents (also available with gold trims)
• Fills with standard international cartridges (converter provided with pen)
• Available No 6-steel-nib options: Extra Fine (EF), Fine (F), Medium (M), Broad (B), Stub
• Price: ca. 150 – 180€

Video Review

Picture Gallery

(Click on photos to enlarge)