Aurora 98 Reserva Magica

[OldGriz]

 

 

 

 

Aurora 98 Reserva Majica

 

Appearance 3/5

This score is only due to the condition of the cap... the gold plating is bubbling a lot (see pics).... However Kenro said it will be fixed under warranty by Aurora

I was pleasantly surprised by this pen.... as you all know I am a Parker 51 junkie....

This pen I consider my Italian 51 piston filler...

 

Design 5/5

A well designed pen that still operates as it should these many years later...

Size wise it is about the same size as my Parker 51 in length, but a bit thinner.. more like a 51 MK III or a 61...

Overall a very comfortable pen to use when posted.... light in the hand and well balanced...

A very nice semi hooded fine nib that looks nice

The piston filler is kind of unique and well appointed.

 

Nib 5/5

This was the primary reason I purchased this pen. I have heard a lot of good things about the Aurora 88 and 98 nibs and wanted to try one...

I can honestly say I have not been disappointed... the nib is a fine and glides over the paper effortlessly and lays down a nice wet line of Sheaffer Skrip Black ink...

I wish the pen had some flex as a lot of Aurora pens of this era do, but it was not to be...

 

Filling System 5/5

This is where this pen is rather interesting.... most piston fillers have a blind cap that rotates to operate the piston.

The Reserva Magica has a push button on the end of the body that you pop up to operate the piston.

The pen also has a system that allows you to get some more writing out of it when it runs dry, but I have no idea how it works

It took a bit to get used to the piston filler, but it fills as it should...

 

Cost and Value 5/5

From what I have been told, I got a great deal on this pen, even with the bad cap.

I actually ended up getting this pen along with another Italian syringe fill pen of lesser quality (but uninked) for only $40.00

So YES, Old Griz did strike again....

It will cost me $35.00 to get is shipped back and forth to Italy for refurbishment, but even with that I have a great deal on a great pen

 

Conclusion 23/25

To me this is a real winner.... my first Aurora and most likely not my last Aurora vintage pen...

I have had the pen inked for about 2 weeks now and maybe pick it up every day or other day. It have never failed to write beautifully from the first stroke.

Everything you could want in a pen....

And for me it even feels a bit like a Parker 51 MK III ......

Edited July 14, 2009 by OldGriz

[Bill Smith]

Interesting review and thanks for writing it. I have an 88P from the late 1950s and I consider it my Italian "51" and a great writer.

[jbn10161]

That's a nice pen, and it is amazing that Aurora will still fix the cap as a warranty repair!

[J English Smith]

I'm getting an old style A88 in a couple of weeks and I can't wait to try it!!

[rroossinck]

Interesting review and thanks for writing it. I have an 88P from the late 1950s and I consider it my Italian "51" and a great writer.

 

Same here, Bill. Great writer.

 

Nice review, Tom!

 

(Everyone look out...if he gets into this vintage Aurora thing, there'll be no hope for the rest of us.)

[Bill Smith]

Interesting review and thanks for writing it. I have an 88P from the late 1950s and I consider it my Italian "51" and a great writer.

 

Same here, Bill. Great writer.

 

Nice review, Tom!

 

(Everyone look out...if he gets into this vintage Aurora thing, there'll be no hope for the rest of us.)

 

Don't show Tom the Pelikan M30:)

 

[sumgaikid]

Tom,I own 3 Auroras,2 of which are Optimas(an 88 w/a black barrel and a Sole').

The ink reserve thing that you're talking about occurs on both of my Optimas. How

it works(and maybe yours works this way)is that when you're almost out of ink,you

rotate the PF as if you're going to refill the pen normally(down,then up). That opens

up the reserve that is hidden in the barrel to give you a little more ink to write with.

 

BTW,very nice simple review!

 

John

[adam11]

Lovely pen despite bubbling. I don't mind signs of age on my vintage pens. Hope I will soon get 88 - it's my dream pen for some time.

Enjoy!

Edited July 16, 2009 by adam11