Leonardo Radius Radisi Fountain Pen Review: A Limited Edition Rooted in History

Introduction

For the past few years, the Italian retailer Stilo & Stellay has partnered with Leonardo on limited edition pens for both Fountain Pen Day and Black Friday, and this year’s Fountain Pen Day offering is the Radius Setimo Radisi. The name means roots in Italian, derived from the Latin word for root, referring to the origin or source from which everything begins and grows. Radius itself is an offshoot of Leonardo, a historical brand whose models are based on its own original historical designs rather than new shapes with a name attached. The pen at hand is a limited edition of 220 units, engraved on the back with Radius, Stilo & Stellay, and its individual number.

First Impressions and Material

The pen arrives in a presentation box with a small Radius medallion, marketing information, and warranty paperwork in several languages. Inside sits the pen itself, a cartridge converter model with a tortoise-shell inspired resin that carries a distinctive hovering gold flake suspended in the material. If you are not usually drawn to tortoise shell, this detail may change your mind: the gold flake adds a genuine extra layer of color and depth that sets the material apart.

The overall silhouette is thoughtfully shaped. The top of the cap comes to a dull rounded point, the cap angles up to its thickest point at a see-through band where you can glimpse the material underneath, then angles down slightly into a small transition to the barrel. The barrel rises slightly to its own thickest point before tapering down and angling more sharply into a rounded finial at the end. The see-through cap band is a particularly nice touch, showing the material rather than hiding it.

Nib, Section and Filling System

The cap twists off with one rotation to reveal a size 6 stainless steel nib finished in gold plating. The gold color pairs well with the brown and amber tones of the body, and the nib is marked with Radius, Superior, and 1934, the origin date of the original Radius company. A plastic feed sits beneath the nib.

The section begins with a slight flare, angles up, and is not overly long before you reach the threads, which transition evenly into the barrel. Despite the shorter section, the threads do not get in the way, and the thickness is comfortable even if your grip spills over onto the threads. The metal hardware in the section also means you would not want to drop this pen.

Unposted, the pen is plenty long enough to use, but it also posts nicely. The cap is neither overly long nor overly heavy, and the posted cap does not press any sharp transition against your hand, so fans of posting will be well served. Filling is via standard international cartridges, and a converter is provided in the box.

Writing Sample and Ink Choice

With a medium stainless steel nib and an earthy brown ink, the Radisi delivers a comfortable and pleasant writing experience. The medium runs almost toward the broader side of medium, which rewards smoother handwriting. Even pressing hard produces little line variation, so this is a pen for steady, consistent lines rather than expressive flex.

Ink flow is decent and sits on the medium side. Reverse writing is a little sharp and inconsistent, but it laid down a nice extra fine line. In fast writing, the feed keeps up well without faltering.

Size and Comparisons

The Radisi sits comfortably alongside other Stilo & Stellay and Leonardo collaborations. Past collaborations include the Andromeda in a deep-space purple, the Polydria Desiderio with a triangular pattern on either side of its deep space material, and the Kmea with a matte finish that looks fantastic. Among other Radius Setimo releases is the Blue Flame with its PVD-coated nib. Next to mainstream options like the Pilot Vanishing Point and other Leonardo models such as the Momento Zero and Polydria, the Radisi holds its own in both size and presence.

Price and Availability

The expected price is around €185, which converts to about $215. With the Fountain Pen Day 10% discount from Stilo & Stellay, the price comes down to about $190. No discount code is required; the discount is applied automatically at checkout. Importantly, that price includes tariffs, so buyers in the US will not face additional charges, and shipping is free for orders over about $100. In a period of uncertain international ordering, knowing the price is all-inclusive removes the worry of surprise fees at the border. Buyers in other countries, such as Canada, will want to check their own import rules.

Limited editions from Stilo & Stellay tend to sell quickly and do not stay around for long. Once the 220 units are gone, this pen will be gone for good.

Buying Advice

If the material appeals to you, move sooner rather than later. The combination of a historical design lineage, a distinctive gold-flake resin, a well-behaved gold-plated steel nib, and a transparent all-inclusive price around $190 makes this an easy recommendation within the limited edition fountain pen space. It is also a sensible treat-yourself purchase: distinctive enough to feel special, but reasonably priced compared to some grail-tier pens.

Conclusion

The Radius Setimo Radisi succeeds because it does the fundamentals well: a comfortable section that works posted or unposted, a pleasant medium nib with reliable flow, and a material that earns a second look. The hovering gold flake is the star, turning a familiar tortoise shell palette into something with real depth. With only 220 units available, hesitation is the main risk here.