Leonardo Momento Zero Grande 2.0 Review: A Piston Filler That Undercuts the Line

Introduction

The Momento Zero Grande 2.0 is one of the latest releases from Leonardo, and it updates a pen many collectors already consider a favorite. The Grande line comes in many variations: some models have pointed cap tips while others are more rounded, there are several band styles, two different section designs, and some versions use a piston while others rely on a converter. What the 2.0 adds is a piston filler paired with an ink window, and it does so at a price that undercuts most standard Grande models. Leonardo provided the pen with a medium stainless steel nib, along with a broad cursive smooth italic specialty nib for demonstration.

The pen is available in three versions: Sea Anemone, Stardust, and Baobab. The version reviewed here is the Sea Anemone, and it arrives in Leonardo’s medium-sized box along with a use and care guide.

Design and Materials

The Sea Anemone material is the standout visual feature of this pen. Orange, purple, yellow, and blue elements run through the striping, and the colors genuinely play nicely with one another. The transitions between the different resins are not too stark, which adds an element of flow to what could otherwise have looked haphazard.

It is a well-judged material that looks cohesive rather than busy, and it photographs as well as it looks in hand.

Cap, Clip, and Nib

The cap comes to a rounded point that transitions into the clip. Leonardo’s clips are shorter in relation to the overall cap length than many competitors, an homage to vintage Italian pens, and it works well in materials of varying sizes. The cap angles up until about an inch from the end, where it straightens out, and there are three rings on the back side. The cap is engraved with the company name and a number; these are not limited editions, but many Leonardo models are numbered.

There is a stair-step transition from the cap to the barrel, which stays straight for about half an inch before tapering down at an even rate, ending in a band that marks the beginning of the piston knob. The knob itself finishes in a rounded point, mirroring the cap. The cap twists off in just over a single rotation.

Underneath sits a stainless steel number six nib with stamping that has a really nice aesthetic and appears on a number of Leonardo pens. Nib availability depends on your retailer of choice, but the pen comes in a variety of steel sizes, and gold nibs are available at an additional cost, with some retailers even offering a gold number eight option. Gold nibs use ebonite feeds, while the steel nib here sits on a plastic feed.

Piston Filler and Ink Window

The defining feature of the 2.0 is its piston filler with an ink window. The window design is one of the best things about this pen: with the cap on, the window is hidden, and once uncapped it is large enough to give you a good look at your ink situation without breaking up the overall aesthetics. It fits into the design rather than dominating it.

The section departs from Leonardo’s stair-step design; this one begins with a flare, then slightly angles up until you reach the cap threads, the ink window, and a medium-sized step up to the remainder of the barrel.

Size and Handling

The pen is plenty long enough to use unposted, which is what you would expect from something bearing the Grande name. The cap does post securely, and while it is not overly hefty, it does back-weight the pen just a hair. If you are fond of posting your pens, you will probably be fine with it. In side-by-side comparisons, the 2.0 sits naturally alongside other Leonardo models such as the standard Momento Zero and the Fiore Grande, and it holds its own next to pens like the Sailor Pro Gear, the Parker Duofold Centennial Big Red, and the Pelikan M805.

Writing Sample: Medium and Cursive Italic Nibs

The medium stainless steel nib, filled with Leonardo purple ink, is very pleasant. Leonardo’s medium nibs are reliable and comfortable, though you will not get much line variation out of them. Ink flow on the medium is decent, and it keeps up fine during fast writing. Reverse writing is a little scratchy on this nib.

The broad cursive smooth italic is a different story. It delivers noticeable line variation, with thick downstrokes and thinner side strokes, and the ink flow is very juicy. Reverse writing is actually very nice on this nib, and it provides a bit of flair to your writing without much effort, along with a touch of pleasant feedback. It is the kind of nib that makes cursive practice genuinely fun, and it is easy to see why someone would leave it on the pen.

Should You Buy It?

One of the best things about the Momento Zero Grande 2.0 is the price. With a stainless steel nib it is just $225, and considering most standard Momento Zero models sit right around $200 and most standard stainless steel nib Grande models are around $300, that is a very attractive price for a Grande with a piston filler.

If you do not have a Leonardo in your collection, or you do not have a Grande, the 2.0 is an excellent entry point. It is available at a large number of retailers, the overall performance is outstanding, and Leonardo does a great job making a quality product for a reasonable price. At $225 for a Momento Zero Grande model, it is hard to beat.

Conclusion

The Momento Zero Grande 2.0 is a natural progression for the model. The piston filler with a well-integrated ink window is a genuine upgrade, the Sea Anemone material is beautifully executed, and the $225 price for a Grande makes this pretty much a no-brainer if it is missing from your collection.