Early 1990's Aurora 88 Nib Without 'aurora'?

February 15, 2020

Anyone aware if with the re-issue of the Aurora 88 in the early 1990's they did not say 'Aurora' on the nibs?

February 16, 2020

FYI, after significant web search that ended up pointing me to specifics on this site from over a decade ago I can confirm the first several years of production of the new generation 88 that started in 1989 had a “long tined” nib that had neither “Aurora” nor “585” on the nib... but I guess if the nib is pulled from the section “Aurora” can be seen stamped further back towards the base of the nib.

Edited February 16, 2020 by Tseg

February 29, 2020

I’m not usually a fan of doing threads with oneself, but to close this one out, the early 88 long tined nib has ended up being a favorite in my hoard of pens. It is pretty hard, with a slight spring. I’m not even going to test flex. After 30 years this NOS nib was about my most perfect nib out of the box. Very smooth but not glassy... but I would hate to call the sensation “feedback”, much less the implied frightful “Aurora feedback”. I’ve been using wet Iro inks in it and the nib has been wet, but not quite the controlled ink ropes Viscontis deliver that I have. With the long tines I really have a sense of precision with my writing, almost, but different than I get with a Sailor King of Pen nib or Pilot Custom 823 nib. By the way, the tines, from shoulder to tip of tine, is longer than both an MB 149 and Sailor King of Pen.

This pen and nib really has been the whole package I’ve been seeking in a pen for a long time. I’m several weeks into the honeymoon, so we’ll see how long it lasts. But this one really is special.

Edited February 29, 2020 by Tseg

February 29, 2020

Anyone aware if with the re-issue of the Aurora 88 in the early 1990's they did not say 'Aurora' on the nibs?

Sorry not to pick this up earlier, I noticed you sorted out things by yourself, but yes, the early long tinned nibs did not have Aurora written on them (at least visibly).

February 29, 2020

FYI, after significant web search that ended up pointing me to specifics on this site from over a decade ago I can confirm the first several years of production of the new generation 88 that started in 1989 had a “long tined” nib that had neither “Aurora” nor “585” on the nib... but I guess if the nib is pulled from the section “Aurora” can be seen stamped further back towards the base of the nib.

yes, that is what some have said. Despite I own several of these I have never pulled nib an feed out just to check, so I take their word for it (I prefer not to tinker with something that performs perfectly...).

February 29, 2020

I’m not usually a fan of doing threads with oneself, but to close this one out, the early 88 long tined nib has ended up being a favorite in my hoard of pens. It is pretty hard, with a slight spring. I’m not even going to test flex. After 30 years this NOS nib was about my most perfect nib out of the box. Very smooth but not glassy... but I would hate to call the sensation “feedback”, much less the implied frightful “Aurora feedback”. I’ve been using wet Iro inks in it and the nib has been wet, but not quite the controlled ink ropes Viscontis deliver that I have. With the long tines I really have a sense of precision with my writing, almost, but different than I get with a Sailor King of Pen nib or Pilot Custom 823 nib. By the way, the tines, from shoulder to tip of tine, is longer than both an MB 149 and Sailor King of Pen.

This pen and nib really has been the whole package I’ve been seeking in a pen for a long time. I’m several weeks into the honeymoon, so we’ll see how long it lasts. But this one really is special.

Had not noticed this thread earlier, but have seen elsewhere that you actually got one of these earlier 88 BIG with the long tined nib, so congrats.

This pen (and the 88 BIG in general) is a great pen. The Millerighe (one thousand lines) cap is distinctive. There are other versions but this is the one I like most.

As you said, the nib has a tad of flex, not pronounced, but it is bouncy, the tines are really long and they provide a special writing experience.

Not sure whether your search took you to one of my other posts where I was mentioning the story I was told by one of the best know pen and repair shop owners in Milano, now sadly closed for good, who mentioned to me that due to the narrow and long tines Aurora had been receiving complaints by inexperienced user who were damaging the nibs - probably due to too much pressure - and asking for repair and substitution... In the end Aurora's sad decision was to make nibs with shorter tines. No more complaints...

We, more experienced users, lost out though.

I have other Auroras, such as the Optima, with the short tined nibs. Very nice pens, but they do not compare...

The 88 BIG, besides the nib, is a great pen. At least for me. It just falls right in my hand and there is not much else I would want from a pen.