Review: Two Modern Aurora 88 (Large) with Chrome and Gold Plated Caps

[luo]

......but i am from a non-english speaking country....this is also why i have made some misunderstanding on the cap thing you have mentioned:)

 

 

English is not my mother-tongue as well though is my only spoken/written/main/primary language now. Your English is excellent. Part of the confusion on caps is also my fault. Had I used a couple of smilies next to the statement "The cap and clip resemble to a bust manikin of a bald, shirtless person wearing a classy necktie," the tacit comic intent would have been more overt. Somehow, smilies intimidate me!

haha, i am expecting to learn more things from you…

[1000km]

Nice review - many thanks

[jigesh]

Thank you, PinarelloOnly (I am waiting for the impressions of your future Aurora XF nib) and 1000km.

[jigesh]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I thought the following information may be relevant.

 

Recently, I bought an 18K EF nib unit. It's an older style in the sense that the tines are long, has some flex, doesn't have "aurora" name on it and has "closed" floral design towards the grip-section end (as opposed to open design - don't know if this is the right way of describing it, but perhaps will be clear by comparing following picture with the nib in the first post of this thread).

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_2614.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_2578.jpg

 

Sorry for a bit out-of-focus (due to unsteady hands/handheld) macro shots.

 

The feeling of writing with this nib is as follows:

 

There's more feedback but not more tooth compared to medium and fine nibs. The ink-flow is significantly drier than the other two nibs (M and F) I have and I might send it to nibmeisters later on just for flow adjustment (I like a bit wet flow). Like any nib with a bit of flex, applying more pressure brings in wetter flow. Here's a hurriedly written writing sample, which shows some flex (I am afraid to put extra pressure):

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_2661.jpg

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/DSC_2658.jpg

 

As you can see, the width of the line is not too narrow compared to the fine nib I have, but the feel is different (more feedback and a bit drier flow). Since nibs are hand-made and have nib-to-nib variations, this could be a case specific to my nib.

[jigesh]

......The ink-flow is significantly drier than the other two nibs (M and F) I have and I might send it to nibmeisters later on just for flow adjustment (I like a bit wet flow). .....

 

I received the EF nib and did comparison with other nibs I have in Aurora 88 (EF, F, M, and B nibs). Pics are below - sorry for not paying proper attention to the color temperature setting in the camera:

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/AuroraComparison.jpg

 

 

A quick summary:

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/AuoroaSample1.jpg

 

And a bit close-up:

 

http://i699.photobucket.com/albums/vv360/jigesh_patel/AuroraSampleCloseUp.jpg

[oknrabata]

This is a really nice review on one of the most beautiful pens around. I recently got the chrome capped version and it is just perfect in my eyes/hands. Even with the heavier cap posted it works really well.
But...oh no...the nib. I tend to write very small and like my nibs a bit on the dry side so I ordered an EF, which is always a custom order from Aurora (hence the waiting time mentioned above). But what I got writes like a very very wet (super smooth) medium-fine. So I'm wrestling between sending this pen off to the US to have the nib reground to XXF or simply sticking to some japanese pen. But ohoooo, it is so beautiful.

 

 

Edit: Not much difference in these nibs (Ink: Pelikan 4001)

Edited May 31, 2013 by oknrabata

[revbyrd1]

The 88 (gold cap) is one of my most used fountain pens, and the nib is lovely. I also purchased mine from Bryant, and I would recommend that you check with him concerning any fountain pen purchase.

 

An earlier comment asked about a comparison with an Edison fountain pen. I have two Edisons and find them to be excellent fountain pens. However, the gold nib on the Edison has a bit more flex than my Aurora. They are both fine points.

 

Thank you for the review.

[Blade Runner]

This is a really nice review on one of the most beautiful pens around. I recently got the chrome capped version and it is just perfect in my eyes/hands. Even with the heavier cap posted it works really well.

But...oh no...the nib. I tend to write very small and like my nibs a bit on the dry side so I ordered an EF, which is always a custom order from Aurora (hence the waiting time mentioned above). But what I got writes like a very very wet (super smooth) medium-fine. So I'm wrestling between sending this pen off to the US to have the nib reground to XXF or simply sticking to some japanese pen. But ohoooo, it is so beautiful.

 

 

Edit: Not much difference in these nibs (Ink: Pelikan 4001)

 

Something off there - did they send you the wrong nib? Too much flow? My Aurora fine nibs are much finer than that, closer to Japanese fine.

[oknrabata]

Something off there - did they send you the wrong nib? Too much flow? My Aurora fine nibs are much finer than that, closer to Japanese fine.

 

 

Here is a comparison of the two nibs. The EF is slightly less wide and has a significantly smaller tip "ball". But they write so much alike.

[VYBGSS]

Gold and Chrome versions... Both are beautiful.

[mongrelnomad]

You're right about Aurora nibs - they feel unique, and are an absolute pleasure. I only wish the designs of the pens were a little more inspiring...

[Monbla]

Those are some nice looking pens and a well done review. The only thing that bothers me is that these are NOT 88s !! The 88 was a beautifully made HOODED NIB'd pen with one of the smoothest slip fit caps ever put on a pen. Speaking of nibs, I had a chance last year to try one of the "new 88s" and it has a smooth 18k nail for a nib which is the current fashion in the new fountain pen world. No line variation as the wonderfully soft 14k nibs of the original 88!! For a generation that did not have the opportunity to use the original 88 ( I have 4 of them) I guess this will be an 88 but not for me !!

Edited September 29, 2016 by Monbla

[pollandakuma]

I'd love to own one with those metal caps. Or an Optima.

[darazs]

The modern 88 is probably my favorite pen. It has this nice personality which can hardly be defined. Classic, but with a dry sense of humour if you see what I kean.

I am totally in love with it!

 

This said, the review is welldone, thanks!