In The Pen Case This Month: Aurora Sterling(S)

[ThomasB]

Right behind Pelikan, Aurora is my second favorite pen maker...In fact, when starting my pen collecting journey, the first pen I purchased was a Pelikan 600 and the second was an Aurora Optima (at the long defunct Houston Pen Show). Though not a lot of models, I do have 88's and Optimas, (or is it Optimae???), I do have several variants within the the 88s and Optimae range. And my favorites? I am a sucker for sterling silver, whether it be all sterling or the classic sterling cap and black body. So, while perusing the collection for my latest round of a signature pen and note taking pen, I came across these two (and the rollerball for when someone wants to borrow a pen). The sterling capped 88 has a stub nib and the all-sterling Optima has a nice smooth medium for note taking. One of the reasons I like Aurora is they are one of the few pen makers that actually offers a stub nib, and even an italic for that matter. And even though I am anti-poster, I will often post my Aurorae as they are well balanced when posted--especially the Optima. My only pet peeve about Aurora is it is almost impossible to get that last little bit of water out when cleaning them. They have what amount to a a rim around where the nib unit screws in. Anyway, here they are:

 

[dennis_f]

That's a stunning collection. The all-silver Optima has been one of my hands-down favourite designs since I first saw it a few years ago, but I always avoided Aurora because I felt like they were too short (I like an 800-lengthed pen). But I was finally coerced into trying one 2 months ago, and I'm now repenting that I didn't try one sooner. And now my hunt is on for the all-silver.

 

Thanks for posting these.

[sansenri]

Lovely pens.

88s and Optimae are also my favourites (guess you may be right, if the name is latin that would be the correct plural, it's not Italian for sure as modern Italian would read Ottima, plural would be Ottime, but in reality Italian does not make plural of brand names... )

 

I'm missing the sterling silver ones, and would love to get hold of a silver capped 88, possibly also the all silver...

[ThomasB]

That's a stunning collection. The all-silver Optima has been one of my hands-down favourite designs since I first saw it a few years ago, but I always avoided Aurora because I felt like they were too short (I like an 800-lengthed pen). But I was finally coerced into trying one 2 months ago, and I'm now repenting that I didn't try one sooner. And now my hunt is on for the all-silver.

 

Thanks for posting these.

I too was hesitant on the Optima...But it has a good girth and is well balanced whether posted or unposted

[dennis_f]

Exactly... I expected it to feel uncomfortable, but the extra width (compared to say, a pelikan 600) and the balance were outstanding. Not to speak of the writing experience, which I absolutely loved. The pen literally moved to the top of my next-purchase list.

[whichwatch]

Thomas, your Optima is gorgeous! I love it!

 

I have a thing for sterling pens. My three are shown below. Left to right are Yard-o-Led Grand Victorian, Aurora 80th Anniversary Pen, and a Visconti Cassegrain. Of the three, my favorite is

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B02561A60-CA72-468D-AAB7-626B60D20FAD%7D/origpict/1.png

 

 

the Aurora. While the Yard-o-Led chasing is gorgeous, I really prefer the writing quality of the Aurora and the size, balance, silver work, and contrasting section and finial make it just about perfect in my eyes. I'm not sure I would change a thing if I could.

 

 

http://www.fototime.com/%7B2B12BEBD-086D-4028-B27C-E6A7776820F1%7D/origpict/2.png

[1nkulus]

The Aurora 80th Anniversary is tasty, now I want one.