Normally when you see the name Moonman or Majohn you assume the pen will be a clone, blatantly breaking copyright, however on this occasion has Moonman/Majohn now effectively claimed the right to the classic OMAS 360 shape?

Why do I say both Majohn and Moonman? Well the latter was successfully blocked in the west by Kaweco over copyright issues (by simply creating a European company called Moonman), so they simply changed their name to Majohn and carried on. With this pen it is being sold in the west, including on Alibaba and Etsy, as the Majohn V60 yet with Moonman brading on the pen. From this point on I will just use the Moonman name.

Two years back a new OMAS appeared with no connections to the original. While Ancora had purchased the brand and model names, having done nothing with them for over 7 years a group including Nahvalur, Gioia and The Pen Family grabbed the brand name under US law (I am not sure if this is also legal in the UK and Europe, but understand there are similar options). Now nothing has been done with the 360 in name or shape since OMAS was closed by O-Luxe in 2017, thus if the new group can be considered the owners to the brand name, then by the same assumption this means you should be able to consider Moonman the new owner of the classic 360 shape (never thought I would ever say that). Makes you think.

Now some people have suggested the dimensions of the Moonman V60 are identical to the OMAS 360 Vintage and also some reviewers have stated this to be the case, but it is not. Sure they are very similar in size and appearance but there are differences in dimensions. A prime example is the OMAS cap will fit on the Moonman (though a little loosely) but not the opposite way round. What is interesting is while the V60 is a ‘cheap’ clone with a steel nib there are actually some components in it which are superior to those in the 360 including in two of the areas where the Italian company has traditionally had issues. The piston and ink evaporation.

Initial impressions are a nigh on identical pen, which in this demonstrator red form is very attractive. The only obvious differences are where the OMAS has a stamped plate including release number on the rear side and 360 and OMAS Italy on the others, the V60 just has Moonman printed on the reverse side. Also above the Greek key band the Chinese pen is missing the additional thin band, and the Greek Key itself is not as cleanly engraved.

Size wise there are some subtle differences. I have already mentioned the cap, well moving callipers along each body, the original is consistently 2mm wider at any one point compared to the newcomer. Additionally the angle on each side is shallower on the OMAS. What this means is I can pick up the Italian pen and it instantly feels comfortable in the hand, not so with the Chinese pen where most the time (but not always) I repeatedly have to adjust my hold as I can feel the pen digging in to my flesh. The variations are only minor in size and shape but add up to a considerable difference in comfort. One suspects when OMAS original designed the 360 they experimented a lot to get the body just right where as Moonman just used an approximation with copying the shape.

The cap, as aforementioned, is very similar in size, however instead of the three metal clutch pegs used by OMAS (which could break off) the V60 uses a more traditional inner cap with lip. As a result there is very little ink loss due to evaporation, something you alas cannot say for the 360. Also as with the 360, the cap of the V60 can be posted, but it is not overly secure.

There is one unexpected issue I encountered with the Moonman and that is the slight step up from the grip to the main barrel. On the OMAS this is nice and smooth and rounded. On the Moonman is is angular and actually sharp. How do I know? – photo above is of the cut I suffered.

Nib wise we can not compare. I am sure Moonman could source a gold nib if they wished but that would take them to a price point they normally avoid. Installed is their own (I believe) size #6 steel nib, this one being a medium in size and producing a Western medium line. At first I thought there was a slight scratchiness to the experience, but that was not the case. This nib writes with pencil like feedback. Not unpleasant, not to my taste, and the opposite to OMAS with their buttery smooth nibs. Each to their own preference though. Needless to say this nib will more suit someone who likes pens from Platinum and Sailor, not Faber Castell and OMAS. You can get a little variation if you carefully apply some pressure, but the ink flow can not keep up and I would not recommend this.

With the filling system Moonman have stuck to a piston. If they had gone for a cartridge converter no one would have batted an eye, added to which it would have made the V60 cheaper. I am not going to take apart this pen (aside from the fact it is not mine) but I did find a photo out there of it being disassembled. Controversy time. I think the Moonman piston is better than the OMAS one. A lot of this is down to two known weaknesses with OMAS piston filling systems. The first is the bar which is wound in and out. This can snap with age (possibly made from ebonite ?) and the second issue is the plunger rubber can detach when you go to wind it back in (drawing ink up). The latter occurs with both my OMAS piston fillers if I have not used them for a long time. The trick, if you remember, is to put a little silicone oil (not gel) by the plunger with a tooth pick before winding out. Needless to say after this ‘how to maintain an OMAS Piston Filler’ advice, with the V60 there appear be be such worries (or at least none reported at present). Looking at the photo above you may also notice the Moonman appears to have a considerably larger ink capacity (between the yellow and green lines).

So my thoughts. Well my normal avoidance of Chinese clones seems to be put to the side as Ancora have not tried to make or launch a 360 since they bought OMAS back in 2017/8. Sure in the last few months they have challenged the ‘new OMAS’ with an inference new pens will follow, but until that happens and any legal mess is sorted out I shall sit on the side lines with popcorn. Part of me would find it amusing if Moonman were to sue the ‘New OMAS’ for copyright if the latter were to produce a 360, not because I want to see a company who traditionally clones the designs of others do well but because I personally think it would be just deserts to The Pen Family considering what they did with/to Conway Stewart (amongst a multitude of other things).

The V60 itself is surprisingly good, though alas not overly comfortable to wield unless you are lucky when taking hold of the pen. It writes well and does a very good impression of the original with the exception of a steel nib and a more reliable cap seal and piston filling mechanism. Cost wise, at £35 on Amazon and ~£25 on Alibaba you can’t complain for what you get and do bare in mind you will struggle to get a demonstrator OMAS 360 for this side of a grand.

So would I recommend this pen to others. Well if you’ve always fancied an OMAS 360 but can not come close to the price, plus are happy with a steel nib, then yes this could be a good pen to add to the collection, assuming you can find a comfortable hold.

Pros:

• Very close in looks and size to the OMAS 360 Vintage.
• Solid and reliable piston implementation.
• Nib writes very nicely.
• Very good cap seal resulting in negligible ink evaporation.

Neutral:

• Size just a little out, as is the curve on the sides.
• Still a clone even if very well implemented.

Cons:

• Sharp edge to ridge at the back of the grip area.
• Can be a struggle to hold comfortably.

Writing Sample:

Pen Comparison Pictures:

The usual shots with a Lamy Safari/Al-Star.