Moonman V60 vs Omas 360 Magnum: Two Triangular Fountain Pens Compared

Introduction

The triangular fountain pen is an unusual silhouette, and it has one famous origin: the Omas 360. The Moonman V60 takes that same basic shape and brings it to a fraction of the price, which makes a side-by-side comparison almost inevitable. One is the original, no longer in production; the other is a modern, very faithful homage that costs under $40 Canadian.

This comparison looks at how the two differ in materials, construction, trim, nibs, and writing feel, and who each pen actually makes sense for.

First Impressions: Design and Materials

The color difference is subtle in most lighting. The Moonman V60 is a deep, deep black, while the Omas 360 Magnum is a very dark blue that only reveals itself under the right light. Both use resin, and the Moonman does not feel like a cheap pen in the hand. It is well made and pleasant to hold; it is simply smaller than the Magnum, though it matches the size of a regular Omas 360.

The Omas 360 Magnum is described by its fans as a near-perfect pen. The rounded triangular section is genuinely comfortable, and the faceted body feels beautifully crafted. Omas used cotton resin, and the pen has a pleasant, premium feel throughout.

Trim Details: Greek Key Bands and Engravings

Both pens carry a Greek key center band, but the execution differs. The Omas band is refined, with multiple fine lines and a subtle texture that reads as elegant. The Moonman version has more relief and looks a bit more defined but also slightly cruder, less refined to the eye. It is still nice, just a step down in polish.

On the back of the cap, the Omas is engraved Omas and Italy, while the Moonman carries its own name in blind engraving. That matters: the V60 does not pretend to be an Omas, which keeps it on the right side of homage territory.

The ski slope clip is a signature 360 design element on both pens. The Omas clip is smooth and balanced, with the bottom of the slope sitting closer to the barrel. The Moonman clip is much tighter, with a very strong pull, which can make shirt pockets a risk for fabric wear, though it slips into pen cases easily.

Build Quality: Piston Fillers Compared

Both are piston fillers, and here the comparison flips. Omas was known for its beautiful nibs and its troublesome pistons. The Omas piston assembly includes a small metal pin running through part of the mechanism, which makes alignment and servicing genuinely painful. The fragile piston is a known weakness of the brand, and the thin Ebonite collars that hold the nib and feed are fragile too.

The Moonman’s piston knob lacks that pin, and the mechanism is simpler to live with. The Omas remains serviceable, but working on one takes patience and care.

Nibs and Writing Performance

Nib size differs in an interesting way. The Moonman V60 uses what looks like a number six nib, larger than the nib fitted to the regular-size Omas 360, closer to the Magnum’s own sizing. The Omas Magnum carries an 18K medium nib, smooth and beautifully finished with the brand’s arrow design, widely considered one of Omas’s strengths.

The feed difference is real: the Omas uses an Ebonite feed with excellent flow characteristics, while the Moonman uses plain plastic. In practice, though, the Moonman wrote nicely out of the box, if a touch dry. It kept up with fast writing, and a simple flow adjustment would make it even better. Reverse writing is possible on both but awkward because of the triangular section.

The Omas nib is substantially smoother and wetter, a genuinely pleasant writing experience, and it performs well in both directions.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you want the original, the Omas 360 Magnum is the pen: fantastic nib, Ebonite feed, beautiful materials, and iconic design. It cost around $500 USD when Omas was still in business, and it now shows up on eBay and at pen shows. Be aware of the fragile piston and collars, and keep the mechanism well lubricated.

If you simply want a triangular pen, do not care about brand heritage, and want a workhorse that writes nicely, the Moonman V60 is a genuinely good pen. It is pleasant to hold, writes well, and removes the fear of damaging an expensive, no-longer-produced original. Some owners have reported cracked caps on the Moonman, though the sample here survived rough handling without issues, and a small micro scratch near the section is easy to overlook at this price.

Conclusion

The Moonman V60 and the Omas 360 Magnum are not really competitors; they are two ways to enjoy the same idea. The Omas delivers the original craftsmanship, a superb 18K nib, and beautiful trim, with fragility as the trade-off. The Moonman delivers the same triangular experience as an affordable, durable daily writer. For most buyers curious about the faceted 360 design, the Moonman is the sensible starting point, while the Omas remains the collector’s prize.