Aurora 88

[Pen2009]

I recently bought an Aurora 88 XF from Richard Binder, and it's rapidly become a daily writer. I needed a dependable pen for corrections on my students' papers, and since I tend towards prolixity, the nib needed to be fine enough to cram all those comments inside of a one inch margin. Happily, the Aurora fills this bill, and it writes like a dream: it's comfortable to hold, fairly light, and it lays down a nice, slender line. I haven't knocked the thing around too much, but it feels very well made; the piston fill system works smoothly, with the kind of tactile feedback which suggests it's built to last. I don't know whether the nib received any special treatment from Richard (although I don't imagine he'd carry the line if they were problematic). but whatever the case, it writes exceptionally smoothly, especially for a nib so fine.

I'm getting the xf from him as well. He checks the nib / pen before he ships; so, at least there is a good QC check by him before a lemon gets in the hands of customer. So far, all the pens/nibs I received from him are performing well.

[JAPeN]

Likely already known but the 88 is the child of Marcello Nizzoli (1887 - 1969) a resident of the Italian town Boretto, only relevant because of a conversation I had with another Boretto resident, the lovely Mr Fabio Savini.

 

Marcello Nizzoli, designer of the classic Aurora 88 fountain pen in 1946, first introduced the use of body pressing by way of aluminum die-casting, to create a Aurora fountain pen with a continuous and organic form.

 

 

Also a nice little 88 blog here ... http://monbonvoyage.com/2009/03/20/aurora-88/

 

Edited August 1, 2009 by JAPeN

[Pen2009]

I inked my 88 with MB Racing Green. Its XF nib is perfect for my writing style. I now gravitate toward XF or F (or M for some models). Its Binderized nib makes this pen a pleasure to write with.

[Zekay]

 

Nice to hear so much positive experiences with the 88. I am interested in one myself, but I don't have the opportunity to try one before buying, so I was wondering how it compares in size to the Montblanc 146, or the Lamy 2000? It would be really helpful if someone was able to post some comparison shots.

 

Thanks,

 

Zekay

[jonro]

Nice to hear so much positive experiences with the 88. I am interested in one myself, but I don't have the opportunity to try one before buying, so I was wondering how it compares in size to the Montblanc 146, or the Lamy 2000? It would be really helpful if someone was able to post some comparison shots.

 

Thanks,

 

Zekay

This chart http://www.vintagepens.com/pen_measurements.shtml is useful. The 88 is the same diameter as the Optima. The diameter of the 146 is just a tiny wider than the Lamy 2000.

[Zekay]

Nice to hear so much positive experiences with the 88. I am interested in one myself, but I don't have the opportunity to try one before buying, so I was wondering how it compares in size to the Montblanc 146, or the Lamy 2000? It would be really helpful if someone was able to post some comparison shots.

 

Thanks,

 

Zekay

This chart http://www.vintagepens.com/pen_measurements.shtml is useful. The 88 is the same diameter as the Optima. The diameter of the 146 is just a tiny wider than the Lamy 2000.

 

Thanks Jonro, this helps to give me an idea. Is the Optima the same length as the 88?

 

Best regards,

 

Zekay

[diplomat]

Thanks Jonro, this helps to give me an idea. Is the Optima the same length as the 88?

 

Best regards,

 

Zekay

 

Nope, the Optima is shorter due to the flat ends. Not a big difference but enough to made the Optima to look "stout" and the 88 "slender".

 

Cheers,

[jonro]

Nice to hear so much positive experiences with the 88. I am interested in one myself, but I don't have the opportunity to try one before buying, so I was wondering how it compares in size to the Montblanc 146, or the Lamy 2000? It would be really helpful if someone was able to post some comparison shots.

 

Thanks,

 

Zekay

This chart http://www.vintagepens.com/pen_measurements.shtml is useful. The 88 is the same diameter as the Optima. The diameter of the 146 is just a tiny bit wider than the Lamy 2000.

 

Thanks Jonro, this helps to give me an idea. Is the Optima the same length as the 88?

 

Best regards,

 

Zekay

I wish it were. The Optima has a shorter body than the 88 and I really need to post it. I prefer the Optima's shape and trim, but bought the 88 for its additional length in the hand.

[Zekay]

Everybody thanks for the helpful replies. I still have 1 question though (for now at least ). The 88 I am interested is the one with the chrome cap, and I read in several of the reviews that the cap is heavy. As I post my pens, I would like to know if it is comfortable to post the cap, or will it feel unbalanced? I know this will probably differ for everyone, but I would like to hear your experiences with the chrome cap 88.

 

Sorry that I'm asking so many questions, but the way things are at the moment, the 88 is very high on my list to be the next pen I will buy. And it is pretty difficult for me to try one in store. However, I have a good feeling about this pen, but I am trying to eliminate as many factors that I possibly won't like.

 

Thanks again for all the help,

 

Zekay

[carlc]

Everybody thanks for the helpful replies. I still have 1 question though (for now at least ). The 88 I am interested is the one with the chrome cap, and I read in several of the reviews that the cap is heavy. As I post my pens, I would like to know if it is comfortable to post the cap, or will it feel unbalanced? I know this will probably differ for everyone, but I would like to hear your experiences with the chrome cap 88.

 

Sorry that I'm asking so many questions, but the way things are at the moment, the 88 is very high on my list to be the next pen I will buy. And it is pretty difficult for me to try one in store. However, I have a good feeling about this pen, but I am trying to eliminate as many factors that I possibly won't like.

 

Thanks again for all the help,

 

Zekay

 

Zekay

 

I don't kmow if you ever received an answer to this so I shall add mine here.

 

First of all I don't mind heavy pens (I have a Conway Stewart Wellington) or light pens (I have a modern Conway Stewart 37).

 

The 88 is a light pen and I can believe that the cap is heavier than the pen itself but I do not find that posting the pen unbalances the pen at all. Having said that I hold pens quite high up and anyone who holds it closer to the nib may feel differently.

 

I have only had the pen for a few hours but I am tending towards posting because of the shape of the barrel towards the back end becomes too slim for my comfort (the added weight is a non issue for me).

 

Carl

[mholve]

It's weird; my new Aurora 88 also had nib issues. Very scratchy. NOT what I was expecting from a moderately pricey pen.

 

It's been quite a while, so I don't quite remember what I did, but I do recall spreading the tines on the nib some (and aligning them better), and using some worn emery paper to gently smooth out a burr. Ever since then, the pen has been an absolutely smooth writer. One of my favorite pens. Classy, yet understated. Large ink reservoir, smooth action.

Edited December 6, 2010 by mholve

[tonysingh]

Nice review.Thats one beautiful pen very nice.

[Marco Polo Pen Company]

I concur that, with respect to the Aurora 88, the cap seems heavier than the pen body. I find the pen itself to be on the light side.