Contemplating 1st Italian Pen

[diplomat]

Have you tried an Aurora nib? I'm asking because you said that you like "smooth" nibs, and Auroras are known to have some feedback...

Not if you buy from a dealer who specializes in smoothness and adjusts every nib before it ships.

 

I should clarify that "Feedback" for me it's a word of positive purport. Deirdre use the word "Texture" that is even more apt.

I think that the Aurora nibs are wonderful for this, they have a strong personality and each one is different. Smooth nibs on the other hand tend to have a sameness between them.

I have several Omases, for example, and I enjoy that they are so smooth that they literally glide on paper. But at the end of the day I go back to my Auroras!

 

Cheers,

[diplomat]

+1 for vintage Italians!

 

I love the vintage Aurora 88. A much different pen from the modern 88, not that the modern 88 is a bad pen, but something quite different.

 

By "1st gen, K or P" he was referring to different revisions of the 88. There first was the 88, the second the K, and then there was the P. Most folks would probably say to go for a P, if only because their pistons tend to be a bit more robust. I've an 88P and I love it- it handily replaced my 51, which now languishes at home. The 88/88K/88P are all very similar, so if you find one with a restored or well-working filler, then I wouldn't worry about one model over another. One will usually cost you between $100-200. The vintage 88 is good if you happen to not like flex... There is some flex, but not enough to trip you up.

 

I think one of the great things about the vintage 88 is that you can choose between over 20 different nibs (ok, you have to find them out there!). And especially each nib width came in normal (or flex) and hard. like F is fine and H-F is hard fine. The nib gauge is usually imprinted on the section.

 

Cheers,

[RevAaron]

That is great, diplo- except I've only ever seen EF, F and M. Let me know if you have a B, BB, OB, or OBB to share.

[jde]

After reading the advice here, and then as many of the other posts as I could in this forum... I bought two pens, both Stipulas: a Ventidue and a Duetto. I recognize the latter is not a piston filler, but I wanted to see what a titanium nib was about.

 

Next up on my list (for next year's pen budget) will be a vintage Aurora 88.

 

I can't wait for my new pens to arrive!

 

Cheers,

Julie

[diplomat]

That is great, diplo- except I've only ever seen EF, F and M. Let me know if you have a B, BB, OB, or OBB to share.

 

That is true, they are hard to find. But this only make the hunt more interesting!!

Possibly it was like it is now: regular pen shops only carry the standard size, and if you want the "exotic" variant you have to source it directly. Except now we do have the internet!

 

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7066/nibwidthyt3.png

 

Scan of the original Aurora leaflet showing the different nib choices available at times.

 

Ciao,

[Sharkle]

After reading the advice here, and then as many of the other posts as I could in this forum... I bought two pens, both Stipulas: a Ventidue and a Duetto. I recognize the latter is not a piston filler, but I wanted to see what a titanium nib was about.

 

Next up on my list (for next year's pen budget) will be a vintage Aurora 88.

 

I can't wait for my new pens to arrive!

 

Cheers,

Julie

 

Congrats on your new pens, jde! I was going to recommend the Ventidue. Hey, I think I'll use mine right now. What color did you get? The Ventidue used to be available with a titanium nib, which I've heard is very nice. Enjoy your pens!

 

 

[jde]

Thanks.

Raspberry. The color of the Ventidue, that is.

Yeah, I missed out on the titanium Ventidues.

 

Congrats on your new pens, jde! I was going to recommend the Ventidue. Hey, I think I'll use mine right now. What color did you get? The Ventidue used to be available with a titanium nib, which I've heard is very nice. Enjoy your pens!

 

[sbroglia]

vintage Columbus....for your eyes only.....

[RevAaron]

...! But what about my eyes? They are smitten!

[langere]

I know that this thread have changed course, but back to the original question: How about a Stipula Bellini as a first Italian pen? It´s a limited edition for $188 at Fahrney´s. It was my first introduction to Stipula and I´ve bought 2 more Stipula pens since...

 

Erick

Edited December 17, 2008 by langere

[Deirdre]

I know that this thread have changed course, but back to the original question: How about a Stipula Bellini as a first Italian pen? It´s a limited edition for $188 at Fahrney´s. It was my first introduction to Stipula and I´ve bought 2 more Stipula pens since...

It's a great (and pretty) pen, but it's not a piston filler.

[jde]

Erick, thanks for another vote for Stipula. My new Ventidue should arrive this weekend!

[omasfan]

Delta - If you can find a piston filler, they're really top notch. Superb construction, great nibs.

...

Skip

 

Hi Skip! Isn't that funny how tastes can vary so much. To me, the Delta nibs count among the dullest and most boring. :roflmho:

[jde]

Checking in with what I've done with all your sage advice, which in comparison with all your information and experience is very little! I've ended up with two Stipula Ventidues and one little Omas. Photo (pardon my skills there as well) below.

 

The Omas, no question for me, is the kind of pen I love. Very light and effortless writer. I used it all throughout the Holidays. Down the road, I definitely will obtain another Omas or two (the Ogiva, the Arco... oh dear).

 

The Ventidues are a fascinating mix. The first one I got, the Raspberry, was a disappointment. While I enjoyed the fine 14K nib, the pen was far heavier than what I like and I am not bonding to this pen.

 

The 2nd one, the older style with a medium Titanium nib, is a very different experience that I cannot quite explain. The nib is smooth, but not Omas buttery. It has character, a texture without being interfering or annoying. Like, uh, it talks but not in a scratchy way. The body weight, too, is much more to my liking. I love this pen! It's now in rotation with my beloved 400 Pelikan. I hope to try some of the celluoid Stipulas at some point. Hopefully at the Chicago Pen show!

 

All my pens have come to me via PFN, directly or indirectly. Except the Raspberry Ventidue which was a rare ebay purchase for me. Thanks again for your patience, kiindness and enthusiastic sharing.

 

Julie

 

 

[rhosygell]

Lovely selection, but lacking an Aurora of any description - try one and you will be smitten.

 

Also needs a nice vintage Columbus ...... light, piston filler, nice nib........etc

[jde]

Yes, an Aurora Optima is on my list.

[PenFisher]

Here's a link to a very good review on the early Aurora 88:

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/in...showtopic=53925

 

These are wonderful pens introduced by Aurora in 1947 as a response to the Parker 51, and offering the Italian sense of style and the addition of a piston fill system. I have an 88P and it is one of my favorites and an everyday user as well.

 

Yes, I have been trying to learn about vintage Italian pens as well. Is there a range of years preferred for the Aurora 88?

 

I do not know what "K or P" means... if you could clarify that, I'd appreciate it.

 

Thanks!

 

[Steve CS]

If you like Visconti Ragtime, try to find one of the original, from '80. They were very light, like your Stipula 22 or some Pelikan.

 

Stefano

Vicenza, Italy

[jde]

Thanks for that, Stefano. *putting another pen on my list*

 

If you like Visconti Ragtime, try to find one of the original, from '80. They were very light, like your Stipula 22 or some Pelikan.

 

Stefano

Vicenza, Italy

 

[Steve CS]

I was wrong. The original Ragtime is from 1991...

See this on Visconti's site:

 

http://www.visconti.it/museum/scheda.php?idelemento=51

 

Stefano

Vicenza, Italy