That Was Fast! Leonardo Must Be A Thing Now.

[Vicary]

Well that was fast- browsing around Ebay a couple weeks ago I came across the first Chinese knock-off of the Leonardo Momento Zero! Which itself has only been in production for what, 2 years? I guess the Momento Zero must have some universal appeal to have been copied so quickly. It's a very true copy, too. I think the Leonardo folks might want to look into whether legal action might be necessary!

 

The pen in question is the Moonman 800. It's virtually identical in size, shape, and weight to the Momento Zero. Right down to the odd little kink in the section. In fact, you can swap out the caps. They're even threaded alike. I actually like the color on the Moonman knock-off. It's a tiger eye material, PenBBS uses it and calls it 'Amber is a Cat'. I think I also have a Bexley in this stuff.

 

As far as differences go, there are a couple. The roller clip doesn't have the same elegant taper of the Leonardo's, and there's a trim ring where it attaches to the cap. There's also an additional trim ring in the section. And the nib is labeled Bock. I don't know if it's legit or if that's a copy too. Doesn't look to be finished to quite the usual Bock standards. Oh, and the price. The Moonman came in at just under $50- pricey for a Chinese pen, but cheap for a Momento Zero.

 

Below you can see some comparison pics. What does everyone think? I'm a little flattered for Leonardo, and a little perturbed as well...

 

[Driften]

They also didn't copy using treaded converters or a blind cap that gives access to the converter. The video review I saw said the cap threads didn't work as well and didn't catch as well between body and cap to start the threads, but it could have just been that one sample. I had thought about picking up that amber one to go with my two Leonardo's, but I think I will stick with the real thing.

[Karmachanic]

How do they compare in hand, and on paper?

[sansenri]

there was another thread discussing this

really they seem to be ashamed of nothing

such a pity considering they seemed to have the technical expertise to come up with an own design

I'm sticking with the original too

[penzel_washinkton]

Yeah, Moonman definitely took dimensions straight from the MZ pens if the cap are swappable.

Had Moonman made this a piston converter, the vibe would have been a little bit different.

 

Oh, forgot that Leonardo just released a new pen called "Messenger". Design wise that looks too pedestrian for me.

[Bennett]

While they say imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, I think Moonman is capable of coming up with their own design ideas. Sad to see this knock-off as part of their approach to sales. Would be interested to learn how they compare in terms of function, even though they look alike in other respects.

[Tseg]

I also don't see the pen number etched into the barrel. Some people see great value (savings) in knock-offs. They're not my thing. I do have a Moonman C1 enroute. Only after I ordered it did I find out it was designed in the "spirit" of the Sean Newton Shinobi.

[Storch]

I don't remember where I read it, but I was under the impression that Shawn's Shinobi was a publicly available design. So, not really a knockoff if someone else uses the same design.

[katerchen]

Moonman at least makes decent quality pens as opposed to the utter s**t some other Chinese manufacturers produce.

 

They straight up stole Shawn N's Shinobi design as well. Down to that one flat surface that serves as a roll stop on an otherwise perfect cylinder.

 

-k