I read in a post a few weeks ago that Aurora nibs are not shaped by the manufacturer, but basically just a glob of tipping – which makes me wonder about nib writing consistency, and thus the questions below. I really love, love, love the way my 88 (the piston filling model) writes (I think this may be my favorite pen) and am considering getting another Aurora – either a second 88 or an Optima. If anyone has any experience with more than one of these pens, can you perhaps comment on whether or not the nibs are consistent from pen to pen – can I expect the nib on one 88 to write about the same as the nib on another 88? Is the nib on an 88 about the same in performance as what I will find on an Optima? Thanks guys!

Hello there, I can only give you a very limited opinion on such topics as I have only 2 Auroras, 1 a white gold nibbed 'Hastil' and an 88, they are both good to write with but they are as different as chalk and cheese. I don't know where the view that the tip on an 88 is just a gobbet of iridium came from, the tip on mine is well shaped and smooth to use, the nib is however very flexible for what is really only a semi hooded nib and looks and feels rather fragile at first use. The 'Hastil' nib is likewise smooth to use and its tip is most defintely carefully shaped during manufacture and seems as tough as old boots, however it is amongst the best and smoothest writers that I have, I would use it more often than I do if the pen was a little thicker in the section or if I had smaller hands.
I think that Aurora nibs are little like Italian motorcycles of which I have had more than I have of their pens, they both look good and work a lot better and are tougher and last a lot longer than one would think at first inspection as they don't carry any unnecessary weight around with them. I don't know if this is much help but I thought I ought to contribute something rather than just enjoying myself reading the postings.

Thanks for the feedback. I think the comment about it just being a glob of tipping was about it not being ground in quite the shape that lots of nibs are - with a sweet spot. In that regard, the tip of my 88 does look pretty much like its just been rounded, though this does no doubt involve a shaping process. Anyway, I love mine as well, and thanks again.