Question for all you Leonardo owners

[Surlyprof]

I have been awaiting a bespoke Leonardo Magico from Stilo e Stile.  I originally ordered it with an elastic fine (flex fine) 14k nib.  Being left-handed, I find that I push rather than pull the nib across the paper.  I have been experimenting with a titanium flex nib that I got from Gravitas and this seems to cause some problems.  I am now wondering if I should change my order to get my Leonardo with a medium or fine nib instead of the flex fine.  I would be using this for journal writing rather than anything too fancy.  

 

My question is, does anyone who owns some of these Leonardos have any writing samples they could share?  I searched through a few Leonardo forums and found lots of stub examples but I'm not seeing many fine, medium and flex fine examples.  Could people share their writing samples with these nibs to help me decide whether I should alter my order or not?  

 

I would also just be interested in reading any thoughts members may have about the feel of the Leonardo flex fine versus the fine or medium.  Is it substantially more bouncy?  How does the Leonardo fine or flex fine nibs compare to Lamy gold nibs (ef, f or m) or other Jowo nibs (which is what I own for reference)?  Any assistance with this would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you.

John

[Intensity]

Leonardo for the most part use stock JoWo nibs currently for their steel and gold options (and Bock for titanium, I believe).  They used Bock steel/gold in the past, but not anymore.  The very special editions get the new in-house gold nib option, and those nibs are generally referred to as La Fenice in-house nib, and it must clearly state so in the listing description to verify that you get an in-house nib and not a JoWo with Leonardo stamping.  Just having the "La Fenice" design stamping on the nib does not mean a La Fenice in-house nib.

 

Since you are getting an elastic fine 14k, that's going to be a JoWo #6 elastic fine (Leonardo do not yet make elastic nibs in-house).  I don't know what pen model that is, so I don't know if in-house 14k nibs are implied for non-elastic selection.  If not, then you can look at a lot of writing samples of JoWo 14k gold #6 nibs, they will be an accurate representation of the Leonardo-JoWo nibs.

 

In terms of pushing rather than pulling, intuitively I would say a flexible nib is not a great idea for you.  I would pick a sturdy non-flex nib for this style of writing.

 

Lamy nibs have enough variation to not be able to provide a good comparison for you, in my experience.  I've tried two Lamy 2000 EF nibs, and they write on the order of a JoWo gold Fine to Extra Fine.  Lamy 2000 nibs are known to write pretty broadly for their designation.  I only had one Lamy 14k Fine for Safari/Al-Star/Studio etc pens, and that specific one was pretty close to JoWo Fine.  Inks used and paper will also make a noticeable difference in line width with the same nib.

[Surlyprof]

Thank you @Intensity.  This helps a lot.  I just heard back from Stilo e Stile and they’ve altered the order.  The pen will be arriving with a La Fenice nib since I am no longer ordering it with the flex fine nib.  Your feedback was just the reference I needed.

[Intensity]

If it is actual in-house La Fenice nib, those have different grinds done by Leonardo themselves for each nib size.  I can only say from experience that their own B is in fact a squared stub with line variation. Unlike the JoWo-made Leonardo nibs with La Fenice stamping—just a big ole round blob of tipping on that one for the B.

[Jayebird]

I have a Leonardo with an EF flex gold nib tuned a little wet. As a fellow lefty who pushes... I LOVE the nib. It's soft and fun to write with and I get a touch of line variation, though less than a right handed might. I also love the La Fenice 14k fine nib I have on another Leo. I don't think you can go wrong either way

[Jayebird]

Some stuff I have done with my Leos

[Surlyprof]

11 hours ago, Jayebird said:

I have a Leonardo with an EF flex gold nib tuned a little wet. As a fellow lefty who pushes... I LOVE the nib. It's soft and fun to write with and I get a touch of line variation, though less than a right handed might. I also love the La Fenice 14k fine nib I have on another Leo. I don't think you can go wrong either way

Thank you for this response and the very helpful writing samples.  That flex EF is a beautiful nib.  I did get to try the regular fine and extra fine nibs in Naples and Rome but didn't have the opportunity to try the flex.  They were very smooth so I think you are right that I can't go wrong either way.  I should cut out the hand wringing!  But, this is my first pen north of the $200 mark and the pen that was to commemorate our recent trip to Italy.  I really hope to get something I'll love using most of the time.  I pretty certain I will now.  Looking forward to posting photos of the pen when it finally shows up.  I've wanted a Leonardo since I stumbled across the Leonardo Photo Thread here.  Those pens, like yours, are just beautiful!  I have to say, I think yours is the first demonstrator I've seen by Leonardo.  I didn't know that they had made one.  Thanks for sharing it.  Is it a Momento Magico?  That is what I'm waiting on.  I fell in love with it when I finally got to try the pens in Italy.

[Jayebird]

It is there only demonstrator I think - an exclusive through Pen Venture released in a limited quantity last year. I agonized for months over whether or not to get it because it was expensive but don't regret my choice. I have a weakness for demonstrators.

 

I am sure you will love yours! The Momento Magico is a very elegant design. Share pics when it comes.