Leonardo Momento Zero Foresta Umbra Review: A Limited Edition With Real Sparkle

Introduction

Leonardo is a prolific maker when it comes to limited editions built from new and distinctive materials, and the Momento Zero Foresta Umbra is exactly that kind of release. This particular model is exclusive to Goldspot Pens, and only 150 units are being made. At $199 it sits in a price range where Leonardo has a reputation for fair value, and after spending time with the pen, that reputation holds up here too.

The name translates from Italian as “Umbrian Forest,” referring to Umbria, the central Italian region known for hills, mountains, valleys, historic towns, and forests. The pen is built around that theme, and the result is one of the more cohesive limited edition concepts we have handled recently.

Packaging and Presentation

The pen arrives in a custom box, which is always welcome for a limited edition. An outer sleeve slides off to reveal an inner box, and inside that sits the pen along with a use and care guide. The sleeve features a tree illustration that wraps all the way around the packaging, tying the presentation directly into the forest theme.

It is a small touch, but custom packaging signals that the maker treated this release as something special rather than a standard model with a different material.

Design and Materials

The Momento Zero Foresta Umbra is made from a diamond cast resin created by Tim McKenzie of McKenzie Pen Works in North Carolina. The material mixes deep greens, browns, and coppers to evoke the imagery of a tree, and it genuinely succeeds. Look closely and you will notice tiny specks throughout the resin. These are not dust. Actual diamond dust is embedded in the material, which is what gives “Diamond Cast” its name and adds a subtle sparkle to the finish.

The trim throughout is ruthenium plated, a smart choice for this darker resin, and the cap features a wheeled clip that comes to a rounded conical point at the top. The cap angles upward for most of its length before straightening out in the final half inch, and the back of the cap is engraved with a tree representation, the words “Leonardo for Goldspot,” and the limited edition number. The engraving is filled in brown, which helps the lettering stand out without clashing with the surrounding resin. Triple thin bands follow, then a medium step down to the barrel.

The barrel runs straight for about an inch and a half before tapering to a metal ring marking the start of the blind cap, with the rear also finishing in a rounded conical point. The color combination simply looks sharp, and the theme is carried through every part of the pen.

The Nib and Section

Under the cap, which twists off with one full rotation, sits a number 6 black stainless steel nib paired with a plastic feed. The nib is offered in extra fine, fine, medium, broad, a 1.5 stub, and an elastic extra fine, and the dark finish matches the pen’s overall aesthetic far better than a silver-trimmed nib would.

The section is what we would describe as Leonardo’s ergonomic section: it begins flat and angles up toward the threads and a medium step up to the barrel. The shape genuinely earns the name, because the grip naturally settles along that angle in the hand.

This is a cartridge converter pen that accepts standard international cartridges, and a Leonardo branded converter is included. Because of the metal inside the pen, eye dropping it is not recommended. One interesting feature is the blind cap: remove it and you can access the end of the converter and refill the pen without taking off the barrel. In practice it is a nice idea but not one we rely on. Not enough of the converter protrudes to get a solid grip, and it is easier to judge fill quality when the barrel comes off entirely. The cap posts securely and stays light enough that it does not throw off the balance, so the pen works well either posted or unposted.

Writing Performance

The medium nib in the test unit is decently smooth, with what could be described as good feedback, and the ink flow is solid. You will not find much line variation here, though reverse writing produces an extremely fine line with a clean edge.

For fast writing, the feed keeps up well, which matters more day to day than decorative qualities. Paired with a green ink, the writing sample showed pleasing shading and sheening, and the overall experience felt like a reliable, comfortable daily writer rather than a pen kept for display only.

Things to Consider Before Buying

This is a limited run of just 150 pens sold exclusively through Goldspot Pens, so availability is the main concern. If the design appeals to you, it is worth acting sooner rather than later. The $199 price is reasonable for what you get, in line with Leonardo’s typical positioning, but it is still a meaningful purchase and worth confirming the nib size you want before ordering, since the range from extra fine to broad and stub options covers very different writing styles.

Buying Advice

The Foresta Umbra makes sense for collectors who value distinctive resins and cohesive limited edition themes, and for anyone who wants an Italian cartridge converter pen with a comfortable ergonomic section at a fair price. It is less compelling if you need an eyedropper fill system or prefer flashy silver trim, but as an everyday writer with real visual character, it is an easy recommendation.

Conclusion

The Leonardo Momento Zero Foresta Umbra is a strong limited edition release: a genuinely striking diamond cast resin, well-matched ruthenium trim, a comfortable section, and a fair $199 price. With only 150 produced, it will not be around long. If the forest theme speaks to you, it is worth a look.