Moonman V60 Review: An Affordable Take on the Triangular Fountain Pen

Introduction

Some fountain pens are interesting because of how they write, and some because of what they are. The Moonman V60 manages to be both. It borrows the unmistakable triangular profile of the classic Omas 360, a rounded triangle that many enthusiasts consider one of the most comfortable grips ever designed, and packages it as an accessible piston filler. Sold through AliExpress for under 40 Canadian dollars including shipping, it opens the door to a design that is otherwise very hard to obtain new.

The original Omas 360, especially the larger Magnum version, has a devoted following. With Omas no longer around and remaining new examples limited to expensive special editions, an affordable way to experience the triangular grip has real appeal. But there is also an obvious question to address: this is a deliberate copy of another company’s design, and that deserves an honest discussion.

Design and Build

The V60 follows the rounded-triangle formula closely in both cap and barrel. Up top you get a ski-slope style clip very similar to the original 360, along with a Greek key center band. Another Greek key detail appears at the section, and the rear of the barrel carries the Moonman name rather than Omas. The finish on this version is a true black resin; original 360s tend toward a very dark blue-black. Other colorways seen so far include red, yellow, and white, and more finishes seem likely.

Next to a Pilot Metropolitan, the V60 is slightly longer and noticeably more generous in girth. The cap pops on and off with a satisfying snap, though it is not meant to be posted. On triangular pens, posting puts strain on the cap near the lip, and original 360s were known to crack there. Treat the cap gently and that risk stays low.

Writing Performance

The steel fine nib is a simple two-tone design with a plastic feed. Out of the pen, it sits on the drier side: with no pressure the line is noticeably less saturated than with a light touch. It is not so dry that it fails to write, and it kept up reasonably well in fast writing, with the occasional small skip. There is no line variation in normal use, as the nib is effectively a round writer despite the triangular barrel.

The nib is adjustable, and a simple tune-up can make it wetter if you prefer a more saturated line, though any modification is done at your own risk. Reversed writing is possible but uncomfortable, because the triangular section edge presses into the finger, and it runs even drier and scratchier. This is not a pen for upside-down writing.

Filling System and Ink Capacity

The V60 is a piston filler, which is one of its strongest points. The turning knob operates smoothly, with a tiny but harmless gap visible between the metal band and the knob. Ink capacity is generous, estimated at close to two milliliters, enough for a couple of weeks of regular use.

Omas was famous for two things: excellent nibs and fragile pistons. A slightly more robust piston mechanism is arguably an improvement over the original, and in practice this pen did not dry out when capped, something the reviewer’s own original 360 Magnum could not claim. The inner cap design clearly does its job, though some owners have reported it can leave a micro scratch on the barrel where it meets the section.

What We Like

There is a lot to appreciate here. The triangular profile is genuinely comfortable and is the entire reason this design has fans. The piston filler works smoothly and holds a healthy amount of ink. The nib is functional, not scratchy, and only mildly dry. For anyone who missed out on original Omas 360s and wants to experience the grip without spending hundreds of dollars, the price makes trying it almost painless.

A Magnum-sized version of this pen would be an instant buy for many enthusiasts, and the hope is that Moonman makes one.

What to Consider Before Buying

A few trade-offs are worth knowing. The clip is much stiffer than the original. The nib, while perfectly usable, is not especially refined and is only available in extra fine and fine sizes based on what has been seen on AliExpress. Some owners have noticed a micro scratch on the barrel from the inner cap, negligible on a pen at this price but worth awareness.

And then there is the ethical dimension. The V60 is not a counterfeit: Moonman does not claim it is an Omas pen, and the name is different. But it is undeniably a copy, reproduced down to the clip shape, the Greek key bands, and the triangular profile, with a couple of practical improvements. The situation is softened somewhat by the fact that original Omas 360s are no longer made and this design is otherwise inaccessible at a reasonable price. Still, if copying a design bothers you, this is not the pen to buy. Anyone uncomfortable with homage pens should look elsewhere.

Should You Buy It?

If you have always been curious about the triangular 360 experience and never wanted to spend the kind of money an original or a modern special edition commands, the V60 is a low-risk way to find out whether the grip works for you. Triangular grips feel very different to different hands, and discovering that on a pen at this price beats discovering it after a much larger investment.

It also works as a practical daily pen in its own right: comfortable, piston filled, and disposable in the sense that dropping it hurts far less than dropping a collectible. Just do not post the cap, and accept that the nib may want a small tune to match your preferences.

Conclusion

The Moonman V60 is a comfortable, well-behaved piston filler that brings a beloved and otherwise unobtainable design within easy reach. The nib is ordinary, the clip is stiff, and the copy question is real, but as an affordable introduction to the triangular 360 experience it delivers exactly what it promises. For the right buyer, it is an easy recommendation.