Comparison of two of my favorites

[Blade Runner]

Here's a comparison of two of my favorites - the 51 aerometric and Aurora Archivi Storici

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_6150.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_6152.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v233/jelb/IMG_6154.jpg

 

 

Similarities:

dimensions, weight, balance, hooded 14kt nibs, slip caps, outstanding performance, comfort, and reliability.

 

Differences:

greater ink capacity for the Aurora piston filler vs the 51's aerometric filler.

smoother slip cap action for the 51.

greater length of nib beyond the hood for the Aurora for better angle of attack than the 51.

51 is cheaper.

ink view window for the Aurora.

glassy smooth acrylic exterior of the 51 vs slightly textured plastic (makrolon?) exterior of the Aurora.

 

Which is better?

It's too close to call!

[diplomat]

Nice comparison, I did something similar HERE, but it was a review of the 88, thus not a real comparison...

 

Plus, consider that if you happen to compare the 51 with the original Aurora 88 from the 50s (the 98, after which the Archivi storici is made, was the following model from the 60s), you'll be comparable in price and you'll improve the cap action.

 

Cheers,

 

p.s. I don't think is makrolon. Should be just matte plastic.

[Breck]

That Aurora is gorgeous! Is it a current production model? If not, when was its production run? Did/does it come in any other colors? What does one typically cost, and how can I find one?

 

Holy jeez, I can't believe I've never seen this pen before. New addition to Grail list, for sure.

[xmattxyzx]

It reminds me of the Lamy 81.

http://static.flickr.com/50/130718067_2e0f296699.jpg

 

Photo taken from alexalex's review here.

Edited August 28, 2008 by xmattxyzx

[Garageboy]

The Aurora is a reissue 98 using NOS parts

[ethernautrix]

A very handsome pair of pens there.

 

Based on your comparison, I'd be hard-pressed to choose one over the other, too.

[Iridium]

p.s. I don't think is makrolon. Should be just matte plastic.

 

Makrolon is itself a type of plastic (a polycarbonate that is used in the glass-reinforced composite barrel of the Lamy 2000). The Archivi Storici could be made of any one of a number of different types of plastic, take your pick (unless someone here knows for sure).

[Breck]

The Aurora is a reissue 98 using NOS parts

 

You mean it was produced only in 1998? So this is a No-Longer-Current-Production, I need to head to the eBays kind of thing? That's what Google seems to be telling me, though there's some contradiction...

 

Eyes peeled on Marketplace and search string saved on eBay, regardless.

[Garageboy]

It just came out this year, but what I meant was it's an Aurora 98 (model number 98, not 1998)

[Breck]

It just came out this year, but what I meant was it's an Aurora 98 (model number 98, not 1998)

 

Oh Oh Oh! That's even better. Do you know of a North American vendor? I've only found one with this pen on their website, but it's a .it site. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I'd like to conserve on shipping if possible...

[Garageboy]

One of the members here had them for cheap

But FPH and Farhneys had the C/C version