Bought a Lamy 2000 EF at Pengallery ($ 77) 10 months ago and was disappointed about the almost non-existent flow and a hard turning piston knob. Sent it to Lamy Germany for free service, and while the piston was repaired, the nib was unchanged, although the pseudo-bill asserted some change had been done. Pen sat as useless item in my drawer.

I recently won a mint NOS Aurora 88P from the late 50s or early 60s on ebay (€ 65), and while the pen was in great condition and the piston works smoohly, although not easily, the fine and stiff 14k nib had zero flow at the tip.

Both nibs were too tight at the tip and prevented successful capillary action. But nibmeisters are far away ...
In my anger I first tried to widen the Aurora nib slit with a pince, but failed. So I decided to use a sharp and narrow small knife blade, found on a Leatherman Micra. Controled under a loupe, I successfully managed to widen the tine slits on both pens without damage. Only some small scratches on the Aurora nib from the pinces, should pollish away ...

Now both write well, the Lamy with that well known little semi-flex and even with the dry Standardgraph 'Violet' ink. The Aurora has a stiff nib which is still dryish, but a free-flowing ink, like De Atramentis 'Stahlblau' (steel blue), works well, while the ink flow is sometimes uneven and the nib has some tooth.

Both pens are lightweight, especially uncapped. The Aurora 88P is more slender than I imagined - a fine instrument.

Here are both before the surgery, in the original old Aurora box, for size comparison:

Saintsimon, I am interested in a review of this pair 'o pens after you have used them in rotation for a while. I'm a hooded nib guy. The Aurora 88 is very attractive but, it seems, not easy to find. I have a Lamy 2000. I'm wondering how the 88 performs alongside the 2000 day after day.

I don't want another pen ... just asking ....