another great review, Chris. I have three of the four colors and also three Leonardo Momento Zero pens so I went ahead and weighed them: my scale showed my green M800 as 23.85 grams and the Leonardo at 26.42 grams (both pens inked and capped). While it doesn't seem like much weight, it is enough to be noticeable when picking up or writing with the pens.
@@chrisrap52 the Moonman is about 1mm longer and has two extra rings not present on the Momento Zero (the cap's clip band ring, on the MZ the clip is inserted so there is no break in the acrylic there, and the lowest ring at the section is not present on the MZ), the clip is slightly less refined on the M800, and of course, the M800 lacks the barrel imprint; I see no other differences at all. I love both pen models. While the similarities cannot be ignored, I think there are enough differences in design elements that it's not a blatant "knock-off."
@@B_U_C_K_U I was intending to buy a Moment of Zero and Bock nibs are my favorites,so since Leonardo Officina Italiana uses Bock nibs too (Custom grinded in house) can you tell us how the two nibs compare to each other ? Especially the Leonardo one (I have the classic nib of Moonman).
@@korax67 Hmmm... that's a tough one Korax. Both of my Leonardos are stub nibs (they are my favorite steel stub nibs around... they are really well-tuned and they feel bouncier than regular Bock stub nibs... until getting my first Leonardo MZ I wasn't a particular fan of stock Bock stubs but the Leonardo ones are special I think, which is why I bought another pen also in a stub). As far as a comparison, the Moonman as you know is only available in the two-tone fine stock Bock nib which is hardly comparable to a well-tuned and I believe manufactured to Leonardo's specifications rather than just stock. I do have plenty of other stock steel Bock nibs (the two-tone steel medium Bock nib is my favorite between Bock, Jowo, Knox, as well as Moonman's own nib and PenBBS nibs - though I really do enjoy their round mediums after a bit of tuning to my preferred wetness and smoothness), and I can say that the Bock nibs Moonman is using are of the same quality as my other Bock nibs... typical smoothness and a good bit of springiness, which I like a lot). If you enjoy fine nibs I'd bet you'd be happy with the stock Bock nib they put on these M800s, and they're easily adjusted to your preferred wetness and smoothnes with a shim and a bit of micromesh, as I'm sure you know. I really can't imagine the Leonardo round Fine, Med, Broad Bock nibs could be that much better/worse other than they may not need that little bit of fine tuning if they're in fact tuned by Leonardo more to your own taste. I could be wrong though since I only have the Leonardo stubs (and I was surprised at how much more I liked their stub compared to the stock). I am really hoping Moonman does a release with their own nibs the way they did with the 600s, and in so doing effectively halved the price. I find the Moonman nibs completely serviceable, though I'd still prefer a stock Bock, with a bit of time I've gotten all my Moonman 35mm nibs to write to my own taste. IMHO, I don't think you could go wrong with M800 and I'd have probably only bought one Leonardo had I known they were coming and going to be so well done. I feel as though I've rambled a bunch... lol... and probably came nowhere near your actual question. But I do love me some pen talk... lol... and if I totally missed your point, I'd be happy to share whatever I can.
Just received my new Moonman/Bock M800 Amber. Regarding only the visual & tactile aspects…all is smooth and well fitted…but the threads on the cap are temperamental. Care needs to be taken with their alignment. I assume these will even out over time. Re the visual…the color and color swirl effect are breathtaking and evenly applied completely around the body, section and cap. Literally as close to perfect as anyone could expect on a pen in any price range. Edit: Writing trial with Diamine Amber…a nice match. Exceptionally smooth & lovely glide. I usually don’t mind feedback but smooth is good. Flow could be a little more generous but we’ll see how that plays with different inks and maybe a good scrubbing with Dawn. Thanks as always for your presentation and insights. Always a pleasure.
Great review Chris. I agree with your comment on the grip section. One thing you didn't point out is that this pen comes with a BOCK 250 housing. This makes changing nibs very convenient. Bock Ti nib, 14k/18k, 23k Palladium Nib A lot of pens that come with JOWO nib doesn't have JOWO housing. You have to remove the fiction fit nib and it's a pain. I have swapped in a soft and wet ti nib and it's a massive upgrade
Great review. I have an identical pen on the way, it managed to leave China just before the borders closed. Yes, it is a very close match to one of the Italian pen brands. This design was copied from many prewar Italian and not-Italian brands. I am glad the amber finish seems to be of the same colour and quality as the one Penbbs use for their pens. I have always mkissed out on aquiring an Pennbbs pen in Amber, but now I will finally be able to enjoy this marvellous finish.
Thank you Chris. Really nice finish which I'm Not sure is available on the pen that this emulates, just looking quickly on the web site. It a nice pen in its own right anyway , nicely made, we don't need to get into the issues regarding copying as far as i am concerned its inspired by & really it's about time that people started to realise that these pen very nicely made for a fraction of the cost of the original.
Nice review Chris ! I was planning to buy a Moment of Zero, so your review is very useful since Moonman M800 seems to be made of great quality. Bock nibs are my favorites and with this model Moonman is raising up the ante!
Hi Chris, I am really considering this pen. I'm a little hesitant because of the ''copy'' aspect of the pen. Yet I just like it. I am not sure about colours, possibly green or purple. The bock nib is interesting, I like to explore different pens. I think if I got this pen, I may put a broad Goulet or Jowo nib in it. Being currently in Australia the pen is easier to get then the nib.
@@chrisrap52 Hi Chris, oh cool I. I will keep an eye out for it on eBay. Today's mission is cleaning out my Moonman C1. I am considering changing the nib from the Bobby medium to something else. Also the ink, I may fill it with Yama Budo. It's so hard so many choices and fun things to play with. Also, I need to ask you about FPR non-flex nibs, what's your thoughts? Considering placing an order with FPR.
@@misswoodhouse5720 I prefer Bobby's medium or Moonman F to the FPR nibs. If you want a wider nib, Goulet (Jowo) & Bock are good choices. FPR nibs are OK but not as smooth or consistent as others.
@@chrisrap52 Hi Chris, I think it is time to do a Goulet order that I have been putting off for so so long. In Australia, our supply of Jowo nibs is extremely rare and Bock non-existent. I have also been considering a Conklin Duragraph, we can buy them here but with the shocking old Conklin nibs. I am swapping inks in the C1 from a drier to a wetter ink see if that makes a difference in the performance. Thanks for the heads up on the FPR nibs, I almost dived in there.
Suggestion for ink fans: Line up all of your inks on a long table as a spectrum with black inks on the left and move to the right with progressively lighter inks and discuss color nuance and various properties. (As if you don't have enough planned already). LOL Great review.
Chris, thanks for the review as usual! Mmmm, I love that material. So, I'm impressed that Moonman could do such a great nearly identical copy of the Leonardo Momento Zero, down to the Bock nib. I would love for them to do something original that maybe someone else would want to copy. The Chinese have lead technology and development for thousands of years and gifted the planet with so much. It's sad to see things like this. All of this being said, and to be fair, the Japanese have made some amazing copies of European pens *Cough* Sailor copying MontBlanc *Cough* and Europeans copied American pens in the first half of the 20th century like Omas copying Wahl's Doric for their 557/Paragon. Leonardo is a small company and Salvatore has a family to support. The Momento Zero is not a crazy expensive pen if you buy it from Europe directly *wink* I love the Chinese resurrecting old designs like the Parker 51, and Sheaffer conical nib but to copy a design that's less than a few years old is lame.
I had decided to get a Moonman just because I love the look, and specifically this color. But after reading this comment, I’m having second thoughts. You are right in that the Chinese could easily come up with their own designs that could be every bit as cool as other Western companies. It seems like they are just playing into our love of feeling like we are getting something for nothing, or at least at an extreme discount. But a Moonman is not a Momento Zero, and if Salvatore was the guy who came up with the design and the look, then by all means he should receive the credit for it. So I suppose I should just keep saving my shekels until I can afford the real deal, thus keeping Salvatore and his familia fat and happy. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
I'm with you on the gold trim. It goes with the amber perfectly. I've not found the section off-putting. I think it's because I do grip the pen higher. I also like the relatively larger girth of this model.
Good looking pen. I enjoy my PenBBS 323 Amber. I like their the inks too. Chris, you are so nice to call the design as "inspired". I would say "copied or stolen" from Leonardo Momento Zero with less than half of the price. It is good for the western consumer but it makes me wonder if there are any design copyright issues with these Chinese companies! Thanks Chris, for another great review,
There was a great response on Instagram from Karas Pens on a copy (not Chinese) of one their pens. Basically it happens. There are no copyright issues in China. As Moonman does not sell this pen as a Momento it is not a deception. We have seen some amazing unique as well as inspired pens from China. I enjoy a good writing instrument.
I have re-watched your excellent review and I agree that what matters is to enjoy the writing experience regardless of the origins of their inspiration or copy as long as quality is there.and it seems that this pen has those specifics. Sometimes one has to put aside the politics of the Chinese labor laws and see the consumer side of the equation. Thanks again Chris. Cheers.
hello, chris. M800 is probably my prefered one. there was a problem here : plastic external ring around the nib's base is broken. i feel ink flow has increased a lot. could you suggest me how to fix it ?
Well, that answered my question! LOL Thanks for taking one for the team Chris. I had mentioned that I had one in my cart on esybuy on Etsy and by the time I checked out, it was $10 more. It is still at that price you show in your video. How would you say that Bock nib compared to the Moonman nib in your M600S? Is it worth the extra cost? Or should I wait until the Moonman M800S comes out? (I'm speculating of course)
I my humble opinion it is worth $46, the going price on eBay. I like the Bock nib, different from Chinese F; smoother, more consistent, I like the feedback. As we know, writing with a pen is a very of the moment personal experience. As my father used to say, "One man's ceiling is another man's floor". I have received some Chinese orders recently & have seen shipping on some orders placed during New Years.
@@chrisrap52 Thanks for your $0.02 on the Bock vs Moonman. I don't think I'll be ordering from anywhere in China until their borders are cleared again. I already have an Amber 500, Infinite (with gold trim) 308 and a 492 that will probably not be here until March as it is.
My pen does exactly the same thing when I cap it. I have to be sure it is correct when I put it on. It writes great and it is well made but that cap not properly aligning is frustrating. As always, a great review.
I ordered a purple one with a Moonman nib, $28 USD on eBay. Hope it caps better. My Amber on is capping a little better as it is used more but still frustrating.
Have not seen the pen. Looks similar to Fine Writing International. At this time I am not planning to acquire one. Thanks for the lead. You can watch ODE's review - th-cam.com/video/peFphrgtlp4/w-d-xo.html Enjoy your holidays.
Very impressed with this resin in how the darker colors are consistent down to the section. With this pen coming with a Bock nib I think this is a pretty fair value.
Hi, Chris. Amazing review as always. I was wondering if you’d know whether a Bock collar would still fit if I buy the Moonman Nib variant instead? I already have a B250 nib unit, so the added expense of the Bock Variant would be unnecessary for me.
I've heard the moonman variant collar is slightly smaller and not swappable with Bock. I was getting the moonman version but switched due to the purported incompatibility Waiting for my Bock version in the mail now!
Obviously what makes this pen "pricey" is the Bock nib. The fact that it comes only in F tip breaks the deal for me especially when you add the limited amount of ink and the light acrylic. I see a good alternative buying a PenBBS 309 and replace the nib by a Bock EF, as Moonman lackes EF nib.
Difficult call. I have a 2nd M800 on it's way to me with a Moonman nib. I prefer the 456 because it is the perfect balance for my writing. It holds a lot of ink but is a challenge to fill & more to clean out. It is available in many finishes.
@@chrisrap52 I was wondering whether the Bock nib was worth it? It'll be my first Bock nib, and was wondering if the bump in price is going to be worth it.
The Bock nib adds $15 USD to the M800 Price. I like the fine Bock nib on my M800 but not any more than the fine Moonman nib. The PenBBS fine is unique. Can be a great writer. I would not buy the M800 to get a Bock nib. I recently wrote with some Opus 88 pens, their Jowo nibs were excellent. Jowo are going enerally better than Bock, smoother & wetter.
@@chrisrap52 Ahh I see, that's what I expected, just thought that since a lot of companies use Bock nibs, it'd be a lot better. But yeah, Jowo nibs are the preferred nibs according to the internet forums than Bock. Had to get the m800 for now since my supplier hasn't got the colors I want for the 456. Just waiting on him since he's selling it at $25 compared to $40+ on ebay. Looking forward to the 2tone nib that penbbs has for the 456, since I have other penbbs models with that kind of "fude" sort of nib they have. Anyway, thanks for the video and inputs Chris. Cheers!
Appreciate the detailed review, as always! Man, I like Moonman pens, and I know a lot of the Chinese manufacturers tend to, uh, take liberties with design, but I think this one crosses over the line for me, rip-off wise.
I love amber acrylics and Moon Man did a marvelous job with it. It's no wonder to me why the Chinese manufacturers are taking over the bottom end of the pen market. Thank you, Chris, for sharing. Btw my father's old Shaffer's vac filler is now filling perfectly. I think because it hadn't been used for so long it just needed some ink lubrication. I also applied some silicone grease to the rod as well. It's still a very dry writer so when I build up enough courage I'm going to apply some gentle nib tuning to open it up a bit.
It's such a beautiful pen, but it's too bad they went with that section design. I'd prefer to spend less and get that Moonman nib they seem to have done such a great job with on the C1, and though I do wish they'd make a version with a clip, the C1 is still on my list for must-have's. But I will admit it's nice to see Moonman start to offer pens with Bock nibs, and I like how this one takes so few turns to uncap, but I'd like to see them make that capping process not wonky. Thank you for the great review! Moonman's really on my radar now : )
@@chrisrap52 I hear ya. I don't disagree, but a version with a clip or something close to it would be nice. I agree, the m600s is close to it, but I don't like how it takes more than 2 turns to uncap, and it's getting a bit too hefty for me and I don't like that metal insert in the section making it more nose heavy (I need light pens to avoid hand fatigue), unlike the C1 which is all resin and more evenly balanced. And though, I do love the section shape of the m600s I don't think it's enough to commit me to it. The Moonman M6 is very close to what I'm looking for, but I'd prefer an all resin version with a more ergonomic grip like that of the m600s or the C1 or even the T1 I'd love to see a Moonman T1 in a resin version, but taking less than 2 turns to uncap, and with a clip, which would be much like the PenBBS 309, but instead with that Moonman nib I'd much prefer.
@@chrisrap52 That's good advice. I may just have to try that : ) But like you, I do really like the design of the C1 and I'll be picking that up soon. It would be a good deskpen and I suppose an okay EDC as long as I carry it in my F-C 2 pen case. Lately for an EDC I've been using a Pilot Explorer, which I didn't like until I tried it with a con70, which marries with it perfectly (adds much needed weight). I also like it because the clip doesn't scrape my notebook or pants or shirt pockets, and it also has the standards of Pilot's QC.
Suggest you Google Bock nibs for more info. They are one of the largest German nib makers. Many of the pen manufacturers use their nibs. Their logo looks like a goat.
„Inspired by“ is ... nicely said. This is a rip off! I would like to know if the pen bodies of LOI are maybe produced in China? Is it possible, that they just made the finish in Italy??
This pen isn't targeted towards Leonardo fans. This pen is for those who like the design of Leonardo but cannot afford it. Leonardo also uses the same bock nibs too.
@@coffee-vz1nr there's a difference between using an off-the-shelf component like a nib, and copying someone else's design. Personally, I think this is pretty shameful for Moonman. The acrylic is nice, and the nib is good. So they have there right raw materials. Just don't copy someone else's design.
@@cajal6 the thing is there are so many fountain pens, no matter what design they choose it's bound to have resemblance with another pen. The point of Chinese companies is to make affordable pens. Yeah the design of this pen resembles a Leonardo. But it is in no way trying to be a leonardo. The pen clearly has a moonman branding, different resin colour, different design choices. Again, this pen isn't targeted towards Leonardo to steal it's user base. It's for people like me who cannot afford a Leonardo pen but want a nice looking pen for the price.
@@coffee-vz1nr I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. There are plenty of ways Moonman could designed this pen not to clearly resemble another brand. I don't see much different in design choices from the Momento Zero here other than the color (and that the blind cap can't be removed). I actually like the color of the pen. And I'm glad that there are companies making less expensive fountain pens. But that's not an excuse to copy another company's design.
![เปิดคำทำนาย นอสตราดามุส - บาบา วานก้า ปี 2025 คนทั่วโลกต้องเจออะไรบ้าง? | แฉ 11 ธ.ค. 67 [2/3] |GMM25](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/xmTIKWJUMPM/mqdefault.jpg)
Excellent review! Very interesting fountain pen and ink. Bravo! Thanks Chris!
another great review, Chris. I have three of the four colors and also three Leonardo Momento Zero pens so I went ahead and weighed them: my scale showed my green M800 as 23.85 grams and the Leonardo at 26.42 grams (both pens inked and capped). While it doesn't seem like much weight, it is enough to be noticeable when picking up or writing with the pens.
Thanks for the weight. I agree 3gm is noticeable. Any other comparisons?
@@chrisrap52 the Moonman is about 1mm longer and has two extra rings not present on the Momento Zero (the cap's clip band ring, on the MZ the clip is inserted so there is no break in the acrylic there, and the lowest ring at the section is not present on the MZ), the clip is slightly less refined on the M800, and of course, the M800 lacks the barrel imprint; I see no other differences at all. I love both pen models. While the similarities cannot be ignored, I think there are enough differences in design elements that it's not a blatant "knock-off."
Thanks again.
@@B_U_C_K_U I was intending to buy a Moment of Zero and Bock nibs are my favorites,so since Leonardo Officina Italiana uses Bock nibs too (Custom grinded in house) can you tell us how the two nibs compare to each other ? Especially the Leonardo one (I have the classic nib of Moonman).
@@korax67 Hmmm... that's a tough one Korax. Both of my Leonardos are stub nibs (they are my favorite steel stub nibs around... they are really well-tuned and they feel bouncier than regular Bock stub nibs... until getting my first Leonardo MZ I wasn't a particular fan of stock Bock stubs but the Leonardo ones are special I think, which is why I bought another pen also in a stub). As far as a comparison, the Moonman as you know is only available in the two-tone fine stock Bock nib which is hardly comparable to a well-tuned and I believe manufactured to Leonardo's specifications rather than just stock. I do have plenty of other stock steel Bock nibs (the two-tone steel medium Bock nib is my favorite between Bock, Jowo, Knox, as well as Moonman's own nib and PenBBS nibs - though I really do enjoy their round mediums after a bit of tuning to my preferred wetness and smoothness), and I can say that the Bock nibs Moonman is using are of the same quality as my other Bock nibs... typical smoothness and a good bit of springiness, which I like a lot). If you enjoy fine nibs I'd bet you'd be happy with the stock Bock nib they put on these M800s, and they're easily adjusted to your preferred wetness and smoothnes with a shim and a bit of micromesh, as I'm sure you know. I really can't imagine the Leonardo round Fine, Med, Broad Bock nibs could be that much better/worse other than they may not need that little bit of fine tuning if they're in fact tuned by Leonardo more to your own taste. I could be wrong though since I only have the Leonardo stubs (and I was surprised at how much more I liked their stub compared to the stock). I am really hoping Moonman does a release with their own nibs the way they did with the 600s, and in so doing effectively halved the price. I find the Moonman nibs completely serviceable, though I'd still prefer a stock Bock, with a bit of time I've gotten all my Moonman 35mm nibs to write to my own taste. IMHO, I don't think you could go wrong with M800 and I'd have probably only bought one Leonardo had I known they were coming and going to be so well done. I feel as though I've rambled a bunch... lol... and probably came nowhere near your actual question. But I do love me some pen talk... lol... and if I totally missed your point, I'd be happy to share whatever I can.
Can the nib of the m800 with bock nib be switched with any other brands of nib?
Yes, No. 6, many options. Jowo, Jinhao, Moonman, etc. The Bock is a good nib.
This is the first review of this pen I've seen. Thanks for the good look at it. Looking forward to checking one out first hand soon.
Just received my new Moonman/Bock M800 Amber. Regarding only the visual & tactile aspects…all is smooth and well fitted…but the threads on the cap are temperamental. Care needs to be taken with their alignment. I assume these will even out over time. Re the visual…the color and color swirl effect are breathtaking and evenly applied completely around the body, section and cap. Literally as close to perfect as anyone could expect on a pen in any price range.
Edit: Writing trial with Diamine Amber…a nice match. Exceptionally smooth & lovely glide. I usually don’t mind feedback but smooth is good. Flow could be a little more generous but we’ll see how that plays with different inks and maybe a good scrubbing with Dawn. Thanks as always for your presentation and insights. Always a pleasure.
Maybe some silicone grease on teh threads.
@@chrisrap52 good idea.
I was impressed with the high finish that’s put on these pens plus just a few turn and the caps off. Not a bad pen .
Great review Chris. I agree with your comment on the grip section.
One thing you didn't point out is that this pen comes with a BOCK 250 housing. This makes changing nibs very convenient.
Bock Ti nib, 14k/18k, 23k Palladium Nib
A lot of pens that come with JOWO nib doesn't have JOWO housing. You have to remove the fiction fit nib and it's a pain.
I have swapped in a soft and wet ti nib and it's a massive upgrade
Thanks for identifying, I showed the Bock nib collar. I have some Bock Titan nibs, maybe one will be introduced to the M800.
Great review. I have an identical pen on the way, it managed to leave China just before the borders closed. Yes, it is a very close match to one of the Italian pen brands. This design was copied from many prewar Italian and not-Italian brands. I am glad the amber finish seems to be of the same colour and quality as the one Penbbs use for their pens. I have always mkissed out on aquiring an Pennbbs pen in Amber, but now I will finally be able to enjoy this marvellous finish.
Excellent review. I have this pen on my wish list. Money is tight right now.
Thank you Chris. Really nice finish which I'm Not sure is available on the pen that this emulates, just looking quickly on the web site. It a nice pen in its own right anyway , nicely made, we don't need to get into the issues regarding copying as far as i am concerned its inspired by & really it's about time that people started to realise that these pen very nicely made for a fraction of the cost of the original.
Nice review Chris !
I was planning to buy a Moment of Zero, so your review is very useful since Moonman M800 seems to be made of great quality. Bock nibs are my favorites and with this model Moonman is raising up the ante!
Hi Chris, I am really considering this pen. I'm a little hesitant because of the ''copy'' aspect of the pen. Yet I just like it. I am not sure about colours, possibly green or purple. The bock nib is interesting, I like to explore different pens. I think if I got this pen, I may put a broad Goulet or Jowo nib in it. Being currently in Australia the pen is easier to get then the nib.
M800 now sold with Moonman nib for a much lower cost. I ordered a purple one. You'll see my review in a few weeks.
@@chrisrap52 Hi Chris, oh cool I. I will keep an eye out for it on eBay. Today's mission is cleaning out my Moonman C1. I am considering changing the nib from the Bobby medium to something else. Also the ink, I may fill it with Yama Budo. It's so hard so many choices and fun things to play with. Also, I need to ask you about FPR non-flex nibs, what's your thoughts? Considering placing an order with FPR.
@@misswoodhouse5720 I prefer Bobby's medium or Moonman F to the FPR nibs. If you want a wider nib, Goulet (Jowo) & Bock are good choices. FPR nibs are OK but not as smooth or consistent as others.
@@chrisrap52 Hi Chris, I think it is time to do a Goulet order that I have been putting off for so so long. In Australia, our supply of Jowo nibs is extremely rare and Bock non-existent. I have also been considering a Conklin Duragraph, we can buy them here but with the shocking old Conklin nibs. I am swapping inks in the C1 from a drier to a wetter ink see if that makes a difference in the performance. Thanks for the heads up on the FPR nibs, I almost dived in there.
Suggestion for ink fans: Line up all of your inks on a long table as a spectrum with black inks on the left and move to the right with progressively lighter inks and discuss color nuance and various properties. (As if you don't have enough planned already). LOL Great review.
Chris, thanks for the review as usual! Mmmm, I love that material.
So, I'm impressed that Moonman could do such a great nearly identical copy of the Leonardo Momento Zero, down to the Bock nib. I would love for them to do something original that maybe someone else would want to copy.
The Chinese have lead technology and development for thousands of years and gifted the planet with so much. It's sad to see things like this.
All of this being said, and to be fair, the Japanese have made some amazing copies of European pens *Cough* Sailor copying MontBlanc *Cough* and Europeans copied American pens in the first half of the 20th century like Omas copying Wahl's Doric for their 557/Paragon.
Leonardo is a small company and Salvatore has a family to support. The Momento Zero is not a crazy expensive pen if you buy it from Europe directly *wink* I love the Chinese resurrecting old designs like the Parker 51, and Sheaffer conical nib but to copy a design that's less than a few years old is lame.
I had decided to get a Moonman just because I love the look, and specifically this color. But after reading this comment, I’m having second thoughts. You are right in that the Chinese could easily come up with their own designs that could be every bit as cool as other Western companies. It seems like they are just playing into our love of feeling like we are getting something for nothing, or at least at an extreme discount. But a Moonman is not a Momento Zero, and if Salvatore was the guy who came up with the design and the look, then by all means he should receive the credit for it. So I suppose I should just keep saving my shekels until I can afford the real deal, thus keeping Salvatore and his familia fat and happy. Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
Hello Chris, may I ask which Chinese brand/model with more substantial weight would you recommend? Thank you. Great video.
Kaigelu 316 - earlier models with black finials th-cam.com/video/1c1xzFFyJtk/w-d-xo.html
Jinhao 159.
@@chrisrap52 Thank you so much
I'm with you on the gold trim. It goes with the amber perfectly. I've not found the section off-putting. I think it's because I do grip the pen higher. I also like the relatively larger girth of this model.
Good looking pen. I enjoy my PenBBS 323 Amber. I like their the inks too. Chris, you are so nice to call the design as "inspired". I would say "copied or stolen" from Leonardo Momento Zero with less than half of the price. It is good for the western consumer but it makes me wonder if there are any design copyright issues with these Chinese companies! Thanks Chris, for another great review,
There was a great response on Instagram from Karas Pens on a copy (not Chinese) of one their pens. Basically it happens. There are no copyright issues in China. As Moonman does not sell this pen as a Momento it is not a deception. We have seen some amazing unique as well as inspired pens from China. I enjoy a good writing instrument.
I have re-watched your excellent review and I agree that what matters is to enjoy the writing experience regardless of the origins of their inspiration or copy as long as quality is there.and it seems that this pen has those specifics. Sometimes one has to put aside the politics of the Chinese labor laws and see the consumer side of the equation. Thanks again Chris. Cheers.
Very good review. I have one of them myself and I agree with everything you said. Thanks!
Thanks for watching! Appreciate the support.
Hello could you please tell me the difference in the Moonman m800 V moonman 800 .
Same pen, different names.
Excellent vid Chris. What website did you get that green checkerboard fountain pen? Simply amazing!
The Moonman M600 shows up on Etsy & eBay. Priced above $50 USD.
I saw these right after I bought the real Leonardo Momento Zero.. it is tempting to buy this one and compare them .I LOVE the Momento Zero!
hello, chris. M800 is probably my prefered one. there was a problem here : plastic external ring around the nib's base is broken. i feel ink flow has increased a lot. could you suggest me how to fix it ?
have you give a try to momento zero ? i think - time is coming ... :-)
Replied to your email. Looks like the end of nib collar broke off.
Well, that answered my question! LOL Thanks for taking one for the team Chris. I had mentioned that I had one in my cart on esybuy on Etsy and by the time I checked out, it was $10 more. It is still at that price you show in your video. How would you say that Bock nib compared to the Moonman nib in your M600S? Is it worth the extra cost? Or should I wait until the Moonman M800S comes out? (I'm speculating of course)
I my humble opinion it is worth $46, the going price on eBay. I like the Bock nib, different from Chinese F; smoother, more consistent, I like the feedback. As we know, writing with a pen is a very of the moment personal experience. As my father used to say, "One man's ceiling is another man's floor". I have received some Chinese orders recently & have seen shipping on some orders placed during New Years.
@@chrisrap52 Thanks for your $0.02 on the Bock vs Moonman. I don't think I'll be ordering from anywhere in China until their borders are cleared again. I already have an Amber 500, Infinite (with gold trim) 308 and a 492 that will probably not be here until March as it is.
My pen does exactly the same thing when I cap it. I have to be sure it is correct when I put it on. It writes great and it is well made but that cap not properly aligning is frustrating. As always, a great review.
I ordered a purple one with a Moonman nib, $28 USD on eBay. Hope it caps better. My Amber on is capping a little better as it is used more but still frustrating.
I am waiting for a review of Divine Design eyedropper pen... I hope it will call your attention soon... if possible. Thank you.
Have not seen the pen. Looks similar to Fine Writing International. At this time I am not planning to acquire one. Thanks for the lead. You can watch ODE's review - th-cam.com/video/peFphrgtlp4/w-d-xo.html Enjoy your holidays.
Thank you, Chris. Very rich amber finish.
Beautiful
Thank you. It is.
Very impressed with this resin in how the darker colors are consistent down to the section. With this pen coming with a Bock nib I think this is a pretty fair value.
Also, thanks again for putting this video together for all of us.
Nice in depth review.
Hi, Chris. Amazing review as always. I was wondering if you’d know whether a Bock collar would still fit if I buy the Moonman Nib variant instead? I already have a B250 nib unit, so the added expense of the Bock Variant would be unnecessary for me.
Based on size of nib, Bock size very close to Moonman.
I've heard the moonman variant collar is slightly smaller and not swappable with Bock. I was getting the moonman version but switched due to the purported incompatibility Waiting for my Bock version in the mail now!
Obviously what makes this pen "pricey" is the Bock nib. The fact that it comes only in F tip breaks the deal for me especially when you add the limited amount of ink and the light acrylic. I see a good alternative buying a PenBBS 309 and replace the nib by a Bock EF, as Moonman lackes EF nib.
I tend to enjoy wider wetter nibs. I have not considered swapping the nib, it works well.
I was choosing between this or the penbbs 456, the price difference is $6
With that in mind, what would you prefer Chris?
Difficult call. I have a 2nd M800 on it's way to me with a Moonman nib. I prefer the 456 because it is the perfect balance for my writing. It holds a lot of ink but is a challenge to fill & more to clean out. It is available in many finishes.
@@chrisrap52 I was wondering whether the Bock nib was worth it? It'll be my first Bock nib, and was wondering if the bump in price is going to be worth it.
The Bock nib adds $15 USD to the M800 Price. I like the fine Bock nib on my M800 but not any more than the fine Moonman nib. The PenBBS fine is unique. Can be a great writer. I would not buy the M800 to get a Bock nib. I recently wrote with some Opus 88 pens, their Jowo nibs were excellent. Jowo are going
enerally better than Bock, smoother & wetter.
@@chrisrap52 Ahh I see, that's what I expected, just thought that since a lot of companies use Bock nibs, it'd be a lot better. But yeah, Jowo nibs are the preferred nibs according to the internet forums than Bock.
Had to get the m800 for now since my supplier hasn't got the colors I want for the 456. Just waiting on him since he's selling it at $25 compared to $40+ on ebay.
Looking forward to the 2tone nib that penbbs has for the 456, since I have other penbbs models with that kind of "fude" sort of nib they have.
Anyway, thanks for the video and inputs Chris. Cheers!
Appreciate the detailed review, as always! Man, I like Moonman pens, and I know a lot of the Chinese manufacturers tend to, uh, take liberties with design, but I think this one crosses over the line for me, rip-off wise.
I love amber acrylics and Moon Man did a marvelous job with it. It's no wonder to me why the Chinese manufacturers are taking over the bottom end of the pen market. Thank you, Chris, for sharing. Btw my father's old Shaffer's vac filler is now filling perfectly. I think because it hadn't been used for so long it just needed some ink lubrication. I also applied some silicone grease to the rod as well. It's still a very dry writer so when I build up enough courage I'm going to apply some gentle nib tuning to open it up a bit.
i ordered a green one can wait to compare it to the real one
It's such a beautiful pen, but it's too bad they went with that section design.
I'd prefer to spend less and get that Moonman nib they seem to have done such a great job with on the C1, and though I do wish they'd make a version with a clip, the C1 is still on my list for must-have's.
But I will admit it's nice to see Moonman start to offer pens with Bock nibs, and I like how this one takes so few turns to uncap, but I'd like to see them make that capping process not wonky.
Thank you for the great review! Moonman's really on my radar now : )
To me a C1 with a clip is not a C1. Part of its appeal is the clean simplistic look. Maybe an M600S would appeal to you?
@@chrisrap52 I hear ya. I don't disagree, but a version with a clip or something close to it would be nice. I agree, the m600s is close to it, but I don't like how it takes more than 2 turns to uncap, and it's getting a bit too hefty for me and I don't like that metal insert in the section making it more nose heavy (I need light pens to avoid hand fatigue), unlike the C1 which is all resin and more evenly balanced. And though, I do love the section shape of the m600s I don't think it's enough to commit me to it.
The Moonman M6 is very close to what I'm looking for, but I'd prefer an all resin version with a more ergonomic grip like that of the m600s or the C1 or even the T1
I'd love to see a Moonman T1 in a resin version, but taking less than 2 turns to uncap, and with a clip, which would be much like the PenBBS 309, but instead with that Moonman nib I'd much prefer.
I put the Moonman nib into a PenBBS 352, fits & writes great. Nibs on eBay. Build the pen you want.
@@chrisrap52 That's good advice. I may just have to try that : ) But like you, I do really like the design of the C1 and I'll be picking that up soon. It would be a good deskpen and I suppose an okay EDC as long as I carry it in my F-C 2 pen case.
Lately for an EDC I've been using a Pilot Explorer, which I didn't like until I tried it with a con70, which marries with it perfectly (adds much needed weight). I also like it because the clip doesn't scrape my notebook or pants or shirt pockets, and it also has the standards of Pilot's QC.
Chris, will this accept a kanwrite no. 6 nib? Thanks! 😁
Yes
I love that intro song!
where did you get your led light/torch from?
eBay, It is used to examine the inside of gun barrels.
chrisrap52 thank you
Is that truly a Bock nib or are they making knock-offs of those too?
Looks like the Bock nibs I have. Writes like the Bock nibs I have. So I'd say it is a Bock nib.
"Bobk fine nibs writes well". Can you enlarge on what a Bobk nib is? Edit: It's ok , I've just realised that it's a Bock!
Suggest you Google Bock nibs for more info. They are one of the largest German nib makers. Many of the pen manufacturers use their nibs. Their logo looks like a goat.
„Inspired by“ is ... nicely said. This is a rip off! I would like to know if the pen bodies of LOI are maybe produced in China? Is it possible, that they just made the finish in Italy??
Daniel Stanke nope, they are manufactured in Italy, close to Naples!
.
Wow, this pen is a blatant rip off of the Leonardo Momento Zero.
And proud of it.
This pen isn't targeted towards Leonardo fans. This pen is for those who like the design of Leonardo but cannot afford it. Leonardo also uses the same bock nibs too.
@@coffee-vz1nr there's a difference between using an off-the-shelf component like a nib, and copying someone else's design. Personally, I think this is pretty shameful for Moonman. The acrylic is nice, and the nib is good. So they have there right raw materials. Just don't copy someone else's design.
@@cajal6 the thing is there are so many fountain pens, no matter what design they choose it's bound to have resemblance with another pen.
The point of Chinese companies is to make affordable pens. Yeah the design of this pen resembles a Leonardo. But it is in no way trying to be a leonardo. The pen clearly has a moonman branding, different resin colour, different design choices.
Again, this pen isn't targeted towards Leonardo to steal it's user base. It's for people like me who cannot afford a Leonardo pen but want a nice looking pen for the price.
@@coffee-vz1nr I'm sorry, but I have to disagree. There are plenty of ways Moonman could designed this pen not to clearly resemble another brand. I don't see much different in design choices from the Momento Zero here other than the color (and that the blind cap can't be removed).
I actually like the color of the pen. And I'm glad that there are companies making less expensive fountain pens. But that's not an excuse to copy another company's design.
Another Chinese copy cat pen. I refuse to buy any Chinese pens.
I have been waiting for this review.