Got up this morning went downstairs to make coffee and while waiting for the kettle I thought, “It’s Saturday! There’s a new video from Doug!” Thanks for doing what you do and brightening my mornings.
So awesome to see you get such an early shot at reviewing a new model. Speaks highly of the quality of your content and the value of your opinion. Congratulations!
Thanks, James. Not being an expert by any stretch, it does show Leonardo's interest in the opinion of the "man in the street". Or the old dude in his basement, in my case. LOL
I use number 6 Jowo and Bock 1.1 calligraphy nibs on Jinhao X750 pens. The both write almost identically but the Bock is more bouncy, more defined and a finer line. I have Bock 1.5 nibs and they are far superior to the Jowo equivalent. It's all about the nib first. Second is the feed. The pen is an aesthetic choice.
Douglas great to see you have made the big times with nibs and pens flying at you from around the world. Your Frankenpen movie clip is outstanding. All in all could be worse could be raining.
More fantastic content Doug! It really is a unique opportunity to have direct interactions with the owner of Leonardo. Congratulations on recieving the new production model for review! I wonder if there will be a way to ensure recieving new stock in January instead of a left over Bock. It seems many manufacturers are shifting to Jowo, hopefully Bock can improve tbeir quality control, I would not want to loose a manufacturer.
Since Leonardo doesn't use a distributor, the chances of you getting a Jowo after January 1 is better than other makers as your retailer won't be wading through new old stock. The best way to ensure it is to make a note with your retailer that you want the Jowo version.
Really nice to see what a little customer care can do. You had an issue, they worked with you on it, the results look positive. Some companies could take a lesson or two from this.
I just got recently my first Leonardo Momento Zero with the already updated Jowo #6 steel nib. I got it in a Fine nib and man I love how that pen writes.
I share your opinion. It's actually ridiculous to need a nibmeister to tune an 800.00 pen because it won't write. Nib experts can make a 12 dollar Jinhao perform like a 1200.00 MB. That's not the point ( or in this case, it IS the POINT). I have 2 Viscontis that are garbage. Unbelievable from a 500.00 pen! Pens from a company that claims to occupy the upper echelons of that market should be tested but the truth is that they just aren't.
Hi Douglas, wow how cool a big new pen yay! I absolutely love the Jowo nibs compared to the old Bock nibs, Jowo looks way prettier as do write better. It is very exciting, I haven't yet got a Leonardo yet but I have been thinking of one yet I would like to wait to get a beautiful Jowo :)
@@InkquiringMinds watching the Leonardo Furore Grande video right now yay. Guess what today I check my tracking and my Nock co order from the USA of America I placed a few months ago finally hit Aussie shores. So exciting for new pen cases as I use most of my pens out and about protecting my pens are always vital :)
Great review Doug. I have 3 Leonardo Momento Zeros (2 Medium and 1 stub). They all wrote out of the box but 1 needed minor smoothing and one minor adjustment to increase flow. It will be interesting to see what the QC will be on the Jowo fitted pens. They are beautiful pens and so comfortable in the hand.
I expect the percentage of pens working right out of the box will go up. There might need to be some tuning to get it exactly where you want to be, but hopefully the percentage of completely failing nibs will be down. At least they are trying to deal with the Bock issue. Let's hope they don't let any true duds out of the front gates.
Doug, thanks for showing that beautiful CBC Indian Head test pattern. This brought back memories of my brother and I sitting together in front of our very small Silvertone television screen watching this image in the absence of their regular programming. It’s disappointing to see that Leonardo as well as some other 🖊 manufacturers don’t understand quality control. These issues should be caught and if not by the manufacturer at least by the vendor prior to shipping.
LOL Yes, my experience as well sitting in front of the B&@ RCA Victor. Appelboom does have a "tune before shipping" option which I had missed when ordering my first Leonardo. I use that feature all the time now. And, I agree. At these prices, the nibs should be tested before they leave the factory. I know Lamy does this.
Excellent work, Doug. It appears to me that Leonardo continue to grow, even in spite of the horrendous effects the coronavirus had upon the Italian people and their economy. I can only wonder just how substantial they will be in another three years. When you and Winn finally make that trip to Italy, please do an interview with Salvatore and his sister for this channel.
Large part of their business doesn't require contact with the public, so unless the economy crashes to the point that market for these fountain pen evaporates completely, they will be fine with their flood of new models and resins as that makes them irresistible to many. Running manufacturing and distribution can be done safely with precautions, while businesses that require contact with the public, or even crows suffer as that can hardly be done in a safe manner.
If it's Saturday morning, we must be in Canada, eh. Great to see you close the circle on the saga of the LOIMZETC! Really something to see this kind of engagement between customer and source in this day and age, and internationally to boot. Cheers!
good to see that the Jowo nibs perform well, then again they were tuned just for you, I just hope they give this kind of treatment to us "common folk". A bit off topic but after watching some of your older pen videos, I haven't seen any Noodler inks, do they not intrest you?
@@InkquiringMinds yeah, Noodler's ink do have the tendency to stain, depending on how saturated they are. I can recommend Noodler's burgundy, Blue, Navajo Turquoise, Brown, and Habanero. These are pretty wet and fairly well behaved inks but if they do stain, they're pretty easy to clean off, as none of them have any permanent properties.
@@InkquiringMinds The only attribute that is shared among Noodler's inks, is that the bottle is filled all the way to the top, making it very precarious to open them. For the rest, every ink has it's own properties. Some, I'm a big fan of, like 'Black' and '54'th Massachusetts'. Others are very "difficult", and some are even dangerous (not just toxic, but also as dissolving some pen components if you put them in the wrong pen. If a pen is supplied with the ink bottle + a note saying only use the ink in the supplied pen, that's a clue). The cause of all this is of course the permanence properties that Noodler's Ink reach for, in some of their inks. That would be primarily the inks belonging to the 'Warden', 'Eternal', and 'Empire' categories. Some of the 'Bullet Proof' are "difficult" as well. But 'Black' and '54'th' are fine (they are 'Bullet Proof'). Your two inks belong to the more "normal" inks.
@@Vermiliontea have you tried the Noodlers Air Corp-an interesting blue-black ink? Does seem to look like the blue-black ink my father always used in his Esterbtook green desk pen (he was in the Army Air Corp!).
I was riveted watching this review. Seriously. It did not disappoint. I am very encouraged by the switch; however, my fingers are crossed the Leonardo Design Team heard your plea to quiet down the JoWo nibs...less pencil like. In my experience with JoWo nibs, that is was they sound like. I have quite a few Levenger True Writer Fountain Pens all with JoWo nibs. They write beautifully, but do have a pencil type feedback sound...some more than others. They are #5 nibs; not #6 so that could be a difference as well. So how FREAKING COOL WAS IT TO SEE THAT FURORE GRANDE IN THAT BOX?!?! You are very deserving. Enjoy the heck out of it! Stay well, and I look forward to your next review.
Thanks so much, Annie! It is a matter of personal taste, of course, how much feedback you want in your nib. If your pen starts out glassy smooth, you can easily introduce a little feedback to taste with some micro mesh.
@@InkquiringMinds I'm partial to glassy smooth. Like when you go outside and the snow is falling...it's so quiet, and when ice skating gliding on the ice. Speaking of that....so, PenChalet had a Platinum Century 3776 sale the weekend before last. I got the Chartres Broad. The nib is amazing. It's quiet, but gliding. 14k nib does make a difference. It's a hard, solid nib, which I like. Some softness is good, but not too much. This nib doesn't have any, and I kinda like that. I love this Platinum broad nib very, very much. I highly recommend.
I said I wouldn’t buy one of their pens after my own problem with 2 of their nibs. This announcement would have to come the very same day that 2 Pelikans turned up on my door step and I said no more pens for a good while 😬 Very much enjoying your videos.
I am sure you will enjoy the Pelikans, and after a good while you can pick up one of these. Given their responsiveness to customer's issues they are likely to be around then.
Nice to see a pen company stand behind their products, very refreshing indeed. Looking forward to tomorrow for the review on the fuore grande 😀 As a side note couldn't wait on the Pelikan m800 review, currently waiting for the m800 stone garden to arrive. Keep up the great work and reviews.
Fantastic video. How is it that this is the first video of yours I've seen. That ink is beautiful. Shades incredibly. Nice reading material in the background.
Excellent video, Doug!!! I really enjoyed the comparison of the nibs that I may have to add a Leonardo to my collection. Looking forward to see the Fuore comparison. 😃
I use a Jinhao X750 Shimmering sands pens with a Jowo 1.1 stub nib. My favourite ink that I use in it is Pilot Blue-Black ink. I also have another Jinhao X750 with a 1.1 Bock stub nib with Waterman's Tender Purple in it Both are very good, the Bock nib has some bounce to it. The Jowo slightly wider by a millimeter. I love them both. I carry the X750 with the Bock 1.1 and have the Jowo 1.1 on my desk. Bock nibs are easier to obtain in the UK. I get them from Beaufort inks ordering Number 6 steel calligraphy 1.1 nibs which are about £15 including postage last time I looked They are very easy to swap into Jinhao X750 pens. Pull them out of the feed they come with, and make sure they are fully pushed in on the Jinhao feed. Stephen Brown has a video on how to do it I believe.
thank you for the video and sharing these exciting moments...so excited to receive my new purchase of Leonardo blue Sorrento.... interesting blue ink color
Thanks for the great video Doug, I've been looking forward to your findings! With regards to comparing oranges to oranges, I'd be interested in a statement from Leonardo as to what they did with the Jowo broad nib. This behaves pretty much exactly as my Jowo broad; which is fantastic. I'm convinced they at least looked it over - as an extra level of QC - but it's possible and plausible it left nothing to be done, and you're actually testing an un-tuned Jowo broad here. The stub seems a little bit wetter than what I'm used to with Jowo 1.1 stubs (I have 3 of them, and they are identical between them). This could also be because of the fresh ink and saturated feed, or even the ink itself. In my experience, the stub writes a little bit nicer when the pen hits the paper at an angle. Your handwriting is pretty much 90 degrees from the writing direction. Mine is more like 45 degrees, but that's a matter of what we're all used to. Regardless; I stand behind my earlier recommendation for you to try a Jowo medium cursive italic grind by FPNibs or Mike Masuyama. For me it blew my perspective on nibs right open.
Leonardo has a Facebook page and Salvatore himself is the administrator and moderator. Those would be good questions to post to the group. Thanks for your comments and suggestions, Michael.
Hi Doug another great extravaganza of a video,my Leonardo supplier in Italy gets the furore grande in stock mid October so i will wait to see if they come with jowo nibs,if not i`ll wait.Its a pity Leonardo do`s not do a replacement section with Jowo nibs for purchase as i would happily purchase them.Looking foward to your review of the furore grande.
Thanks, Ed. The "first looks" video is tomorrow morning. A number of people have commented that they would purchase a replacement section for their MZ or Furore if available. I've been recommending everyone who is interested, get on Salvatore's Facebook page "Leonardo Officina Italiana - the Italian pens" and ask for it. Salvatore is the admin and moderatore of the group and actively participates with group members.
So I reckon, unlike Arnold Schwarzenegger, you won’t be Bock. Looking forward to another of your grand reviews of the Grande. Also, I’d like more of your wisdom on various nibs - I’m sure you could fascinate with nib-wittery. 🙄
As always, my friend from the North, your review was creative, concise yet thorough, and helpful. I have my first Momento Zero (same Blue Hawaiian acrylic). Now I know how to determine whether it is a Bock nib (which I expect it to be) or Jowo. I seldom have a problem with Jowo nibs; I seldom have a good experience with a Bock nib. However, I only inked the Momento Zero once so far, and I loved the pen. I am too lazy to go up and confirm it has a Medium nib on it, as that is typically my default if the pen is one I intend to use often. I had none of the issues you noted in your two. But, my experience is like yours likely, Bock is simply unpredictable too. For manufacturers using stock nibs, I am often much more pleased with Jowo. I did purchase a Herbert pen through Goulet, and it is perfect! However, the owner personally tunes every pen. It was an excellent experience immediately. (In fact, I would rate that pen much higher now than I did initially. I did not like the large step down. Now I love the pen’s performance so much that I do not notice.). THANKS FOR ONE OF THE MOST CREATIVE CHANNELS AROUND!
Even though that ways before my time I love the twilight zone and outer limits. Even Alfred Hitchcock presents. So I actually do get a lot of your references lol 😆👌🏻
@@InkquiringMinds Having grown up on classic reruns, and also seeing them when not being able to sleep before we had on demand content, so they all work for me as well.
I’m very new to fountain pens, 3 or 4 weeks in and can already see the weakness in all fountain pen makers priority. Nibs. I get it a fancy looking pen, weather exotic wood, swirling mixed color plastic, chatoyancy, rare materials, limited eds. SELL.Also all the different filling mechanizations. SELL.And we are buying so why would they make a plain looking pen with the nib a priority or even a pen that comes with 2 different nibs. Is it very hard to make a great nib? Can a great nib be made consistently? We as consumers are the only ones to make them change. How? Buy our purchasing power. Resist that pen with Awsome chatoyance unless the nib is perfect. One can dream. Thx for vid!
Get a nice pen holder that will accept standard size, easily obtainable nibs you like in steel, gold or titanium and you can always get the nib you want in the pen you like.
They do for the cartridge converter pens. But the Furore Grande piston filler with the ebonite feed is glued in. The nib might be friction fit though. I don't know for sure.
Must be nice to get good treatment. I complained about my Furore skipping and got nothing. Also, when I screwed in the ink converter it unscrewed the feed housing and pushed it out. I capped the pen without knowing the housing was a tad out, and I damaged the tip of the nib. My experience with Leonardo is not one I want to duplicate. Never again.
This is awesome! My logical side suspected there was another pen in the box but the rest of me was hoping for assorted Italian candy. Can't wait for your review of the new model. The company is receiving full pans of brownie points for customer interaction as well. Are you getting the new broad nib re-ground?
I have many aurora,delta,some Visconti,stipula,Tibaldi and Montegrappa but no Leonardo,but now with this change I want them, probably I starting with momento zero Ciao
I recently purchased a Momento Zero in Blue Positano with gold trim with a 1.5 mm nib (pre-2021; two cap rings). The nib is giving me trouble. I plan to get in worked on but would like a compatible 1.1 stub Jowo replacement unit. I reached out to the company to request the replacement unit. I was told that they are currently closed for business for a holiday and to make my request on August 30th. If I may ask, did you pay for your Momento Jowo unit, and if so, can you say how much it costed you? I know the price for a replacement Bock unit, but of course, it doesn't include the barrel collar. Looking to approximate how much more I'd have to pay for the Jowo unit w/collar.
You can ask them but I'm sure they don't sell the Jowo section separately. The Bock units are not compatible with the new 2021 pens. So, if you want a replacement for your pre-2021 Leonardo, you'll have to purchase a Bock unit. I did pay anything for the Jowo sections I got from Salvatore because he was replacing defective Bock units I had purchased AND he wanted me to announce the change to the Jowo units on my channel, so he gave them to me.
Thank you for the speedy reply. It is my understanding (unless I'm reading it wrong) that the company could supply me with a compatible Jowo replacement unit w/section for my pre-2021 Momento. My email and their response follows: My email: I recently purchased a Momento Zero in Blue Positano with gold trim and a 1.5 mm stainless steel gold plated nib. Is it possible to purchase a compatible Jowo nib unit, same nib size, for my fantastically beautiful pre-2021 (two cap rings) pen? I can purchase a unit immediately if a Jowo nib unit is an option. Thank you. Their response: Hi, we only have 1.1 Stub nibs (no 1.5). We have to provide the blue Positano section with the Jowo feed. At this moment we are closed for the holidays, write to us on August 30th, we can send what you ask. Thanks. Leonardo Staff
@@Ali-in8xi That's awesome if they can do that. Back in January, Salvatore said the company would not sell backward compatible sections with Jowo nibs and feeds to retrofit older pens. They must have changed their policy based on how many customers want it! Terrific!
When I reach out on the 30th, I will make certain to confirm that they understand and have correctly responded to my inquiry re: a Jowo, not Bock, replacement unit for my pre-2021 Momento Zero. I will be sure to come back and give you and your subscribers an update. Be well and thank you for your video.
Today, 9/7/2021, I received my Jowo nib, a 1.1 mm, with the Blue Positano compatible replacement section. It's writing wonderfully now. The pen writes as soon as it hits paper. No skipping or hard starts to report. I also like that the Jowo nib is less bouncy than the Bock, which is something I prefer. What a world of difference!
I love the look of my Leo MZ - spaghetti alga with ruthenium trim. I might have preferred gold trim with green resin but it is a limited edition so… However!!! The section of my pen catches on the cap. Any time I open it it is more likely than not I’ll have to re-tighten the section to the body. Occasionally the whole section will unscrew and I’ll find I pull the cap and section off together and leave the body looking so sadly alone. Then I’ll have to unstick the section from the cap and screw it back into the body. A very unsatisfactory experience… It makes me loathe to use the pen as much as I like the look and performance of it. Too sad
Put a tiny amount of silicone grease just on the top flat forward edge of the section. That part meets with the ledge inside the cap to seal the nib. Obviously it is getting stuck there when you cap it. That might help.
@@InkquiringMinds I tried your suggestion. A little Goulet silicone grease on the end of the section. I was doubtful as the cap doesn't have a plastic inner liner... However! It does seem to work! Capping and uncapping without any issues. I think there may be a lip inside the cap carved out of the resin. Thank you. I will now fill it with Rohrer & Klingner Alt-GoldGrün (my fav winter green ink). Hoping it keeps opening without groping the section 😁
@@DBCuzitis Yes! That's how the cap is designed. That little ledge seals the nib from evaporation as it meets up with the end of the section. It isn't supposed to stick though.
@@InkquiringMinds "Isn't supposed to" is too true. It even unscrewed the section as I opened the pen cap to apply the silicon grease. After the silicone I was able to cap and uncap the pen without issue. I am looking forward to using this pen again. It is very good looking and writes very well too. Thank you thank you thank you!!! (Scarborough ON fan)
great video ! cant wait for furore grande pistone review. would you considering using a diffuser like a piece of paper in front of your light? it seems too harsh (or is it the bright ink?)
Thank you, Nikhil Seenivas T K! I have a tissue over my LED ring light (overhead) and some parchment paper over my desk lamp. That's as high tech as it gets! LOL
Good afternoon from Northern New Mexico. I have been meaning to ask Doug, where can I find those acrylic pen rests at? I have been looking and looking. I would love to get a couple in my favorite acrylic for my desk.
Hey Jennifer! Yes, they are available (now and then) on the PenBBSOfficialStore on Etsy. You have to keep watch in the section called "Beini's Selection" as they appear and disappear very quickly. They WERE only $3 and are currently out of stock. If they are then when I'm buying a pen, I'll add it to the order.
Haven't tried any JoWo nibs yet, so can't say anything in terms of functionality and writing experience. But speaking about aesthetics, these scrollwork make the nib to look like a generic one, while the Bock's clear version isn't what we meet up regularly. The new version of the nib have lost it's individuality.
It's a little weird that they didn't keep the old design as I'd doubt they made this transition over night. But your average FP user seems to care more about a nibs performance rather than simply aesthetics.
Almost every video I've watched, and a lot of posts on FB and IG mention Kon Peki. I'm going to order a sample and see how it acts for me. Do you ever use Waterman's Serenity? Also thought I'd mention, if you like a blue ink with red sheen, check out Diamine Skull and Roses. I've had a sample of it, and I like it, but I'm really more of a shading type fella.
Shit I was thinking about buying one of these pens but this makes me want to wait till they have the Jowo nibs I've never had a bock nib (tho I am only new to this hobby) but love all the steel Jowo nibs I have
Took me a bit to figure out what you were on about. I think you're talking about the title photo of the two nibs? That is just the brownish stripes in the Blue Hawaii.
Got up this morning went downstairs to make coffee and while waiting for the kettle I thought, “It’s Saturday! There’s a new video from Doug!” Thanks for doing what you do and brightening my mornings.
Perfect! Thank you, paulvestol!
So awesome to see you get such an early shot at reviewing a new model. Speaks highly of the quality of your content and the value of your opinion. Congratulations!
Thanks, James. Not being an expert by any stretch, it does show Leonardo's interest in the opinion of the "man in the street". Or the old dude in his basement, in my case. LOL
@@InkquiringMinds In these trying times dude in the basement is the man on the street.
I use number 6 Jowo and Bock 1.1 calligraphy nibs on Jinhao X750 pens. The both write almost identically but the Bock is more bouncy, more defined and a finer line. I have Bock 1.5 nibs and they are far superior to the Jowo equivalent.
It's all about the nib first.
Second is the feed.
The pen is an aesthetic choice.
Thanks, Neil! I will add that the pen itself is not only an aesthetic choice, it is an ergonomic choice as well. :)
@@InkquiringMinds there isn't a pen I can't use, but there are lots that I can't bear to look at,
@@neilpiper9889 Joe Biden: name one, name me one.
I honestly preferred the original bock over any of my other jowo.
They felt really smooth with a nice bounce
I have one Bock like that.
It's interesting to see how the branding on the Leonardo pens has changed. They now have one of the prettiest designs on a nib.
I agree !☝️
Impressive how much difference with the nibs from the two nib sources. Glad they made the change as long as that holds up out of the box!
The new Jowo nibs seem to be doing well. My Furore Grande Jowo nib is glorious.
Douglas great to see you have made the big times with nibs and pens flying at you from around the world. Your Frankenpen movie clip is outstanding. All in all could be worse could be raining.
Damn your eyes!
More fantastic content Doug! It really is a unique opportunity to have direct interactions with the owner of
Leonardo. Congratulations on recieving the new production model for review! I wonder if there will be a way to ensure recieving new stock in January instead of a left over Bock. It seems many manufacturers are shifting to Jowo, hopefully Bock can improve tbeir quality control, I would not want to loose a manufacturer.
Since Leonardo doesn't use a distributor, the chances of you getting a Jowo after January 1 is better than other makers as your retailer won't be wading through new old stock. The best way to ensure it is to make a note with your retailer that you want the Jowo version.
Really nice to see what a little customer care can do. You had an issue, they worked with you on it, the results look positive. Some companies could take a lesson or two from this.
Totally agree!
"Little customer care"
I just got recently my first Leonardo Momento Zero with the already updated Jowo #6 steel nib. I got it in a Fine nib and man I love how that pen writes.
They are amazingly beautiful pens.
@@InkquiringMinds it is a gorgeous pen. I really like to just look at it but of course love using it as well.
Hi Doug, One definition of pure pleasure: writing with a perfectly tuned nib!
Thanks for another informative and enjoyable video. Have a great day.
My pleasure! Thanks, Barry.
I'm still shocked how common it is for pens of multiple hundreds of dollars in price to require tuning to write well.
I agree. With all the "hand made" work that is done on these Italian pens, you'd think they'd just add another step and hand tune it.
You're right. Such bullshit.
I share your opinion. It's actually ridiculous to need a nibmeister to tune an 800.00 pen because it won't write. Nib experts can make a 12 dollar Jinhao perform like a 1200.00 MB. That's not the point ( or in this case, it IS the POINT). I have 2 Viscontis that are garbage. Unbelievable from a 500.00 pen! Pens from a company that claims to occupy the upper echelons of that market should be tested but the truth is that they just aren't.
Hi Douglas, wow how cool a big new pen yay! I absolutely love the Jowo nibs compared to the old Bock nibs, Jowo looks way prettier as do write better. It is very exciting, I haven't yet got a Leonardo yet but I have been thinking of one yet I would like to wait to get a beautiful Jowo :)
Thanks, Chels! 👍
@@InkquiringMinds watching the Leonardo Furore Grande video right now yay. Guess what today I check my tracking and my Nock co order from the USA of America I placed a few months ago finally hit Aussie shores. So exciting for new pen cases as I use most of my pens out and about protecting my pens are always vital :)
Great review Doug. I have 3 Leonardo Momento Zeros (2 Medium and 1 stub). They all wrote out of the box but 1 needed minor smoothing and one minor adjustment to increase flow. It will be interesting to see what the QC will be on the Jowo fitted pens. They are beautiful pens and so comfortable in the hand.
Thanks for sharing!
I expect the percentage of pens working right out of the box will go up. There might need to be some tuning to get it exactly where you want to be, but hopefully the percentage of completely failing nibs will be down. At least they are trying to deal with the Bock issue. Let's hope they don't let any true duds out of the front gates.
Doug, thanks for showing that beautiful CBC Indian Head test pattern. This brought back memories of my brother and I sitting together in front of our very small Silvertone television screen watching this image in the absence of their regular programming. It’s disappointing to see that Leonardo as well as some other 🖊 manufacturers don’t understand quality control. These issues should be caught and if not by the manufacturer at least by the vendor prior to shipping.
LOL Yes, my experience as well sitting in front of the B&@ RCA Victor. Appelboom does have a "tune before shipping" option which I had missed when ordering my first Leonardo. I use that feature all the time now. And, I agree. At these prices, the nibs should be tested before they leave the factory. I know Lamy does this.
Excellent work, Doug. It appears to me that Leonardo continue to grow, even in spite of the horrendous effects the coronavirus had upon the Italian people and their economy. I can only wonder just how substantial they will be in another three years. When you and Winn finally make that trip to Italy, please do an interview with Salvatore and his sister for this channel.
That's a promise, Joel! Naples wasn't on our itinerary, but it will be now. So will Furore, Italy.
Large part of their business doesn't require contact with the public, so unless the economy crashes to the point that market for these fountain pen evaporates completely, they will be fine with their flood of new models and resins as that makes them irresistible to many. Running manufacturing and distribution can be done safely with precautions, while businesses that require contact with the public, or even crows suffer as that can hardly be done in a safe manner.
If it's Saturday morning, we must be in Canada, eh. Great to see you close the circle on the saga of the LOIMZETC! Really something to see this kind of engagement between customer and source in this day and age, and internationally to boot. Cheers!
Thank you, David! It does show the care the company is taking with their customer service and their public image and social media presence.
good to see that the Jowo nibs perform well, then again they were tuned just for you, I just hope they give this kind of treatment to us "common folk".
A bit off topic but after watching some of your older pen videos, I haven't seen any Noodler inks, do they not intrest you?
I have two Noodler's inks; Widow Maker and North African Violet. They are both good looking inks but dry and they stain everything.
@@InkquiringMinds yeah, Noodler's ink do have the tendency to stain, depending on how saturated they are. I can recommend Noodler's burgundy, Blue, Navajo Turquoise, Brown, and Habanero.
These are pretty wet and fairly well behaved inks but if they do stain, they're pretty easy to clean off, as none of them have any permanent properties.
@@InkquiringMinds The only attribute that is shared among Noodler's inks, is that the bottle is filled all the way to the top, making it very precarious to open them.
For the rest, every ink has it's own properties. Some, I'm a big fan of, like 'Black' and '54'th Massachusetts'. Others are very "difficult", and some are even dangerous (not just toxic, but also as dissolving some pen components if you put them in the wrong pen. If a pen is supplied with the ink bottle + a note saying only use the ink in the supplied pen, that's a clue). The cause of all this is of course the permanence properties that Noodler's Ink reach for, in some of their inks. That would be primarily the inks belonging to the 'Warden', 'Eternal', and 'Empire' categories. Some of the 'Bullet Proof' are "difficult" as well. But 'Black' and '54'th' are fine (they are 'Bullet Proof'). Your two inks belong to the more "normal" inks.
@@Vermiliontea Good to know!
@@Vermiliontea have you tried the Noodlers Air Corp-an interesting blue-black ink? Does seem to look like the blue-black ink my father always used in his Esterbtook green desk pen (he was in the Army Air Corp!).
I was riveted watching this review. Seriously. It did not disappoint. I am very encouraged by the switch; however, my fingers are crossed the Leonardo Design Team heard your plea to quiet down the JoWo nibs...less pencil like. In my experience with JoWo nibs, that is was they sound like. I have quite a few Levenger True Writer Fountain Pens all with JoWo nibs. They write beautifully, but do have a pencil type feedback sound...some more than others. They are #5 nibs; not #6 so that could be a difference as well. So how FREAKING COOL WAS IT TO SEE THAT FURORE GRANDE IN THAT BOX?!?! You are very deserving. Enjoy the heck out of it! Stay well, and I look forward to your next review.
Thanks so much, Annie! It is a matter of personal taste, of course, how much feedback you want in your nib. If your pen starts out glassy smooth, you can easily introduce a little feedback to taste with some micro mesh.
@@InkquiringMinds I'm partial to glassy smooth. Like when you go outside and the snow is falling...it's so quiet, and when ice skating gliding on the ice. Speaking of that....so, PenChalet had a Platinum Century 3776 sale the weekend before last. I got the Chartres Broad. The nib is amazing. It's quiet, but gliding. 14k nib does make a difference. It's a hard, solid nib, which I like. Some softness is good, but not too much. This nib doesn't have any, and I kinda like that. I love this Platinum broad nib very, very much. I highly recommend.
I assume you voted for the platinum 3776?
@@InkquiringMinds I did.
I came here for pen nerding and stayed for pronunciation nerding 👌
LOL!
I said I wouldn’t buy one of their pens after my own problem with 2 of their nibs.
This announcement would have to come the very same day that 2 Pelikans turned up on my door step and I said no more pens for a good while 😬
Very much enjoying your videos.
Thanks, Justine!
I am sure you will enjoy the Pelikans, and after a good while you can pick up one of these. Given their responsiveness to customer's issues they are likely to be around then.
All my Leonardos have Bock nibs. And I'm VERY happy with them. But I suppose this is a percentage thing, quality control.
Yeah I think that is the issue. Too many of Salvatore's customers were complaining so he made the switch January 1.
Nice to see a pen company stand behind their products, very refreshing indeed. Looking forward to tomorrow for the review on the fuore grande 😀
As a side note couldn't wait on the Pelikan m800 review, currently waiting for the m800 stone garden to arrive. Keep up the great work and reviews.
Thank you, Richard! I'm waiting on the M805 as well. I'm a little nervous about it going through the mail.
@@InkquiringMinds They are sturdy enough pens, so hopefully it will be fine. Considering that m805 as well. Some good deals around right now.
Fantastic video. How is it that this is the first video of yours I've seen.
That ink is beautiful. Shades incredibly. Nice reading material in the background.
Welcome aboard! Thanks so much!
Excellent video, Doug!!! I really enjoyed the comparison of the nibs that I may have to add a Leonardo to my collection. Looking forward to see the Fuore comparison. 😃
Me too!
Excellent! Looking forward to seeing that Fuore "Grande", too!!
Woot!
I use a Jinhao X750 Shimmering sands pens with a Jowo 1.1 stub nib.
My favourite ink that I use in it is Pilot Blue-Black ink.
I also have another Jinhao X750 with a 1.1 Bock stub nib with Waterman's Tender Purple in it
Both are very good, the Bock nib has some bounce to it.
The Jowo slightly wider by a millimeter.
I love them both.
I carry the X750 with the Bock 1.1 and have the Jowo 1.1 on my desk.
Bock nibs are easier to obtain in the UK.
I get them from Beaufort inks ordering Number 6 steel calligraphy 1.1 nibs which are about £15 including postage last time I looked
They are very easy to swap into Jinhao X750 pens.
Pull them out of the feed they come with, and make sure they are fully pushed in on the Jinhao feed.
Stephen Brown has a video on how to do it I believe.
The Jinhao x450 x750 and 159 fountain pens are probably the best pens to sample all kinds of #6 size nibs. Swaps are so easy.
thank you for the video and sharing these exciting moments...so excited to receive my new purchase of Leonardo blue Sorrento.... interesting blue ink color
Good choice!
@@InkquiringMinds thank you
Oh wow! What a fantastic opportunity! Leonardo are smart. Must've been really baffling to receive that package.
I know, right?
Yasssss at last! Viva Leonardo pens! I just hope that they are going to change my nib now 😅
Don't hold your breath unless you are having issues with the Bock.
Great comparisons! Wish I had those gorgeous pens! They are true beauties.
They are! Thank you, Jeff!
Thanks for the great video Doug, I've been looking forward to your findings!
With regards to comparing oranges to oranges, I'd be interested in a statement from Leonardo as to what they did with the Jowo broad nib. This behaves pretty much exactly as my Jowo broad; which is fantastic. I'm convinced they at least looked it over - as an extra level of QC - but it's possible and plausible it left nothing to be done, and you're actually testing an un-tuned Jowo broad here.
The stub seems a little bit wetter than what I'm used to with Jowo 1.1 stubs (I have 3 of them, and they are identical between them). This could also be because of the fresh ink and saturated feed, or even the ink itself. In my experience, the stub writes a little bit nicer when the pen hits the paper at an angle. Your handwriting is pretty much 90 degrees from the writing direction. Mine is more like 45 degrees, but that's a matter of what we're all used to.
Regardless; I stand behind my earlier recommendation for you to try a Jowo medium cursive italic grind by FPNibs or Mike Masuyama. For me it blew my perspective on nibs right open.
Leonardo has a Facebook page and Salvatore himself is the administrator and moderator. Those would be good questions to post to the group. Thanks for your comments and suggestions, Michael.
Hi Doug another great extravaganza of a video,my Leonardo supplier in Italy gets the furore grande in stock mid October so i will wait to see if they come with jowo nibs,if not i`ll wait.Its a pity Leonardo do`s not do a replacement section with Jowo nibs for purchase as i would happily purchase them.Looking foward to your review of the furore grande.
Thanks, Ed. The "first looks" video is tomorrow morning. A number of people have commented that they would purchase a replacement section for their MZ or Furore if available. I've been recommending everyone who is interested, get on Salvatore's Facebook page "Leonardo Officina Italiana - the Italian pens" and ask for it. Salvatore is the admin and moderatore of the group and actively participates with group members.
Hi Doug
Many many company have switched to jowo nibs,they have the best control quality even on cheap pen,Faber or Twsbi.....I love jowo nibs
Yes. I actually announced the change for Leonardo.
So I reckon, unlike Arnold Schwarzenegger, you won’t be Bock. Looking forward to another of your grand reviews of the Grande. Also, I’d like more of your wisdom on various nibs - I’m sure you could fascinate with nib-wittery. 🙄
Wow, thanks!
As always, my friend from the North, your review was creative, concise yet thorough, and helpful. I have my first Momento Zero (same Blue Hawaiian acrylic). Now I know how to determine whether it is a Bock nib (which I expect it to be) or Jowo. I seldom have a problem with Jowo nibs; I seldom have a good experience with a Bock nib. However, I only inked the Momento Zero once so far, and I loved the pen. I am too lazy to go up and confirm it has a Medium nib on it, as that is typically my default if the pen is one I intend to use often. I had none of the issues you noted in your two. But, my experience is like yours likely, Bock is simply unpredictable too. For manufacturers using stock nibs, I am often much more pleased with Jowo. I did purchase a Herbert pen through Goulet, and it is perfect! However, the owner personally tunes every pen. It was an excellent experience immediately. (In fact, I would rate that pen much higher now than I did initially. I did not like the large step down. Now I love the pen’s performance so much that I do not notice.). THANKS FOR ONE OF THE MOST CREATIVE CHANNELS AROUND!
Thanks, Keith. Your Leonardo will be a Bock as Salvatore will not make the change until January 1, 2021.
As always ,Good Stuff ! Can't wait for the next one
Tomorrow!
Oh, wow! Talk about surprises in the post!
I know right!? My heart jumped into my throat!
Even though that ways before my time I love the twilight zone and outer limits. Even Alfred Hitchcock presents. So I actually do get a lot of your references lol 😆👌🏻
The Outer Limits used to scare the bejezzus out of me when I was a kid.
@@InkquiringMinds Having grown up on classic reruns, and also seeing them when not being able to sleep before we had on demand content, so they all work for me as well.
I’m very new to fountain pens, 3 or 4 weeks in and can already see the weakness in all fountain pen makers priority. Nibs. I get it a fancy looking pen, weather exotic wood, swirling mixed color plastic, chatoyancy, rare materials, limited eds. SELL.Also all the different filling mechanizations. SELL.And we are buying so why would they make a plain looking pen with the nib a priority or even a pen that comes with 2 different nibs. Is it very hard to make a great nib? Can a great nib be made consistently? We as consumers are the only ones to make them change. How? Buy our purchasing power. Resist that pen with Awsome chatoyance unless the nib is perfect. One can dream. Thx for vid!
Get a nice pen holder that will accept standard size, easily obtainable nibs you like in steel, gold or titanium and you can always get the nib you want in the pen you like.
Do the JOWO nibs screw out from the section? I hope they do because I have a bunch JOWO cursive Italics lying around.
They do.
They do for the cartridge converter pens. But the Furore Grande piston filler with the ebonite feed is glued in. The nib might be friction fit though. I don't know for sure.
Ths is nice, the jowo nib is amazing!
I wish they can offer momento zero sections with jowo nibs for replacement!
You're not the first to say that, Yang. I might mention it on the Leonardo Facebook page.
Very very nice comparison review!
Thank you, Claudio!
Must be nice to get good treatment. I complained about my Furore skipping and got nothing. Also, when I screwed in the ink converter it unscrewed the feed housing and pushed it out. I capped the pen without knowing the housing was a tad out, and I damaged the tip of the nib. My experience with Leonardo is not one I want to duplicate. Never again.
I'm sorry that happened to you. You should reach out to Salvatore Matrone on the Leonardo Facebook page. He is the administrator "Salvo Matro"
This is awesome! My logical side suspected there was another pen in the box but the rest of me was hoping for assorted Italian candy. Can't wait for your review of the new model. The company is receiving full pans of brownie points for customer interaction as well. Are you getting the new broad nib re-ground?
I'm thinking of it, Amy!
I also have poor performing stock furor and momento zero nibs! Please share how I can get these nibs. Thank you!!
At this point, they are only available on Leonardo fountain pens sold after January 1, 2021.
A pen in this price range…good lord. Crossing the Leonardo off my list, too many reviews like this one.
I haven’t had a bad one since the first Bock nibs. All of the Jowo nibs have been wonderful and the new Leonardo made La Finece nibs are spectacular.
I have many aurora,delta,some Visconti,stipula,Tibaldi and Montegrappa but no Leonardo,but now with this change I want them, probably I starting with momento zero
Ciao
You will really enjoy the Momento zero! The new Jowo nibs are smooth like butter!
I recently purchased a Momento Zero in Blue Positano with gold trim with a 1.5 mm nib (pre-2021; two cap rings). The nib is giving me trouble. I plan to get in worked on but would like a compatible 1.1 stub Jowo replacement unit. I reached out to the company to request the replacement unit. I was told that they are currently closed for business for a holiday and to make my request on August 30th. If I may ask, did you pay for your Momento Jowo unit, and if so, can you say how much it costed you? I know the price for a replacement Bock unit, but of course, it doesn't include the barrel collar. Looking to approximate how much more I'd have to pay for the Jowo unit w/collar.
You can ask them but I'm sure they don't sell the Jowo section separately. The Bock units are not compatible with the new 2021 pens. So, if you want a replacement for your pre-2021 Leonardo, you'll have to purchase a Bock unit. I did pay anything for the Jowo sections I got from Salvatore because he was replacing defective Bock units I had purchased AND he wanted me to announce the change to the Jowo units on my channel, so he gave them to me.
Thank you for the speedy reply. It is my understanding (unless I'm reading it wrong) that the company could supply me with a compatible Jowo replacement unit w/section for my pre-2021 Momento. My email and their response follows:
My email: I recently purchased a Momento Zero in Blue Positano with gold trim and a 1.5 mm stainless steel gold plated nib. Is it possible to purchase a compatible Jowo nib unit, same nib size, for my fantastically beautiful pre-2021 (two cap rings) pen? I can purchase a unit immediately if a Jowo nib unit is an option. Thank you.
Their response: Hi, we only have 1.1 Stub nibs (no 1.5). We have to provide the blue Positano section with the Jowo feed. At this moment we are closed for the holidays, write to us on August 30th, we can send what you ask. Thanks. Leonardo Staff
@@Ali-in8xi That's awesome if they can do that. Back in January, Salvatore said the company would not sell backward compatible sections with Jowo nibs and feeds to retrofit older pens. They must have changed their policy based on how many customers want it! Terrific!
When I reach out on the 30th, I will make certain to confirm that they understand and have correctly responded to my inquiry re: a Jowo, not Bock, replacement unit for my pre-2021 Momento Zero. I will be sure to come back and give you and your subscribers an update. Be well and thank you for your video.
Today, 9/7/2021, I received my Jowo nib, a 1.1 mm, with the Blue Positano compatible replacement section. It's writing wonderfully now. The pen writes as soon as it hits paper. No skipping or hard starts to report. I also like that the Jowo nib is less bouncy than the Bock, which is something I prefer. What a world of difference!
Will the JoWo nib+section be available as a separate item for existing Leonardo Zeroes?
I don't know that, Gino. Go to Facebook and join the Leonardo Officina FB page and post your question. Salvatore is the admin/moderator of that page.
I love the look of my Leo MZ - spaghetti alga with ruthenium trim. I might have preferred gold trim with green resin but it is a limited edition so… However!!! The section of my pen catches on the cap. Any time I open it it is more likely than not I’ll have to re-tighten the section to the body. Occasionally the whole section will unscrew and I’ll find I pull the cap and section off together and leave the body looking so sadly alone. Then I’ll have to unstick the section from the cap and screw it back into the body. A very unsatisfactory experience… It makes me loathe to use the pen as much as I like the look and performance of it. Too sad
Put a tiny amount of silicone grease just on the top flat forward edge of the section. That part meets with the ledge inside the cap to seal the nib. Obviously it is getting stuck there when you cap it. That might help.
@@InkquiringMinds I tried your suggestion. A little Goulet silicone grease on the end of the section. I was doubtful as the cap doesn't have a plastic inner liner... However! It does seem to work! Capping and uncapping without any issues. I think there may be a lip inside the cap carved out of the resin. Thank you. I will now fill it with Rohrer & Klingner Alt-GoldGrün (my fav winter green ink). Hoping it keeps opening without groping the section 😁
@@DBCuzitis Yes! That's how the cap is designed. That little ledge seals the nib from evaporation as it meets up with the end of the section. It isn't supposed to stick though.
@@InkquiringMinds "Isn't supposed to" is too true. It even unscrewed the section as I opened the pen cap to apply the silicon grease. After the silicone I was able to cap and uncap the pen without issue. I am looking forward to using this pen again. It is very good looking and writes very well too. Thank you thank you thank you!!! (Scarborough ON fan)
@@DBCuzitis You are most welcome! Cheers to you in Scarberia!
great video ! cant wait for furore grande pistone review. would you considering using a diffuser like a piece of paper in front of your light? it seems too harsh (or is it the bright ink?)
Thank you, Nikhil Seenivas T K! I have a tissue over my LED ring light (overhead) and some parchment paper over my desk lamp. That's as high tech as it gets! LOL
Good afternoon from Northern New Mexico. I have been meaning to ask Doug, where can I find those acrylic pen rests at? I have been looking and looking. I would love to get a couple in my favorite acrylic for my desk.
Hey Jennifer! Yes, they are available (now and then) on the PenBBSOfficialStore on Etsy. You have to keep watch in the section called "Beini's Selection" as they appear and disappear very quickly. They WERE only $3 and are currently out of stock. If they are then when I'm buying a pen, I'll add it to the order.
@@InkquiringMinds thank you so much Doug. I really enjoy your videos. They are very helpful. Thank you again. I hope you have a great evening.
Nice comparisons and explanations. Your handwriting is definitely not suitable for using a broad nib. It makes it indeciferable.
Haven't tried any JoWo nibs yet, so can't say anything in terms of functionality and writing experience. But speaking about aesthetics, these scrollwork make the nib to look like a generic one, while the Bock's clear version isn't what we meet up regularly. The new version of the nib have lost it's individuality.
It's a little weird that they didn't keep the old design as I'd doubt they made this transition over night. But your average FP user seems to care more about a nibs performance rather than simply aesthetics.
I like the scrollwork on the new nibs. Makes them glitter.
Smart move....
Jowo nibs are so much better quality than bock in my experience.
That's one more pen maker I can have the option of buying from now...
Thanks, Detman!
Almost every video I've watched, and a lot of posts on FB and IG mention Kon Peki. I'm going to order a sample and see how it acts for me.
Do you ever use Waterman's Serenity?
Also thought I'd mention, if you like a blue ink with red sheen, check out Diamine Skull and Roses. I've had a sample of it, and I like it, but I'm really more of a shading type fella.
Yes! I used Skull and Roses recently. I have it as a sample. Kon Peki is a very well behaved and nicely lubricating ink. I love it.
Shit I was thinking about buying one of these pens but this makes me want to wait till they have the Jowo nibs
I've never had a bock nib (tho I am only new to this hobby) but love all the steel Jowo nibs I have
It might be worth the wait!
What is that orange section in the screencap? 🤔
Took me a bit to figure out what you were on about. I think you're talking about the title photo of the two nibs? That is just the brownish stripes in the Blue Hawaii.
Can't find any info on Jack Hernandez. I need his nib meister services on a beloved pen which I dropped. How to contact? Thanks!
Contact him through Instagram at "jackokun"
@@InkquiringMinds thanks!
If this is ok for me to ask. How does one contact Salvatore.
Contact him through the Leonardo Facebook page. He is the administrator there "Salvo Matro".
@@InkquiringMinds .Thank you
What did you write in the beginning of your intro I can’t read it. Is it inking minds or ink-inquiring minds? Or?
It is my made-up word "inkquiring" minds.
Douglas Rathbun gotcha just wanted to double check
From one teutonic God to another... sounds good to me!!!
LOL Thanks, Nikos!
Only talking about wet, but the writing is awfull. It looks written with a wooden stick dipped on the ink.