Yesterday World Lux in Seattle had a mini pen show at their new boutique. Several manufacturers were represented, particularly:

• Namiki/Pilot
• Aurora
• Sailor
• Conway Stewart
• David Oscarson
• Ferrari da Varese
• Krone

I was particularly happy to see representatives of the entire Aurora line...I had been wondering at the actual difference in feel between the 88 and the Optima. Now I know, and if I get around to picking up an Aurora, I know which one I'll get. I liked the "Asia" LE which is based on the Optima.

The Namikis didn't speak to me so much. I recently bought a carbonesque VP with broad nib, and I enjoy it. I just took it out of primary rotation today, though, since I got several new Esterbrook nibs I need to try out. The Maki-e pens are beautiful of course, though the only truly notable thing I have to say about them is that the Namiki Emperor is freaking GIGANTIC! It has to be over 1" in diameter, it is long, and the nib is just scary huge. I'm amazed thinking back on it. But I got to hold it (the Rabbit in Moonlight) and fondle it, which really was a treat. I will never buy a $6k pen like that, but it's neat to know first-hand what they're like.

The Sailors didn't speak to me *too* much, though the finish on the barrel of the Nagahara is interesting. The texture looks and feels like wood. The Naginata had a superbly textured ribbed barrel and cap. Some were quite colorful too. One Naginata had a nib I had never seen before, called a "Concord Emperor" nib, which writes fine when held normally, and upside down it writes anywhere from broad to VERY broad. The end of the tines are bent downwards about 90 degrees to provide the fine tip, and the bend provides the B(BB) writing surface. Cool!

I test-drove several of the Conway Stewarts. I admire the finish on many of the pens, and I was intrigued by the button filling Duro model, though not quite enamoured enough to purchase one. The new Nelson LE was by far my favorite in terms of looks, but it's a little out of my league. It comes with an ink blotter that's made of wood from Lord Nelson's ship, the HMS Victory.

Short summary - I like Auroras and will probably own one someday. They didn't have any Noodler's Luxury Blue yet and may not before the end of the year. I like Sailors, but the 1911-style section profile is not comfortable to me. Conway Stewarts look really neat, but I don't see myself owning one. Thanks World Lux!

Please share your opinion! I've tried an Optima (drop-dead gorgeous in burgundy marble), but I've never managed to find an 88 to play with.

The 88 is a more "conservative" pen (the word used by the rep), only offered in black with varying silver trim levels. The 88 is made of a resin material. The 88 uses the piston fill. It's a petite pen compared to the Optima. The 88 has tapered, rounded ends.

The Optima line has a vast array of color choices. Some or all of them are made of Auroloide. I don't know what that is. The Optima is about as long (open) as the 88 but wider in the section and in the barrel. The Optima also uses the piston fill, and has flat ends. It seemed to me that the Optima was lighter than the 88, but I would need to check them out again to be sure.

The Asia and the Afrika seem to be based on the Optima line. The Asia has a brown colored section, whereas the Afrika's is black. Both of these LEs have weird (to me) little pearl-like jewels on the top of the cap. The Asia, at least, has a cool looking cap band - metal text filled with a clear resin material, giving a 3-D look to the text.

Thanks for the info on the mini show. I particularly appreciated the comments on the Aurora lines. Had noticed the two models before and thought they were basically the same. Anyone else have comments on the Optima and 88 and respective differences?

Hi inky,

Thank you for your report. I always enjoy reading the reports of pen events I can't attend.

Personally, I like the Aurora 88 over the Optima, especially in the gold trim, but they are rather hard to get these days. I didn't think the regular edition is any smaller than the Optima, though. The Medium, yes, but even so, I love writing with my wife's example of that pen. Unfortunately she is very protective of it .

Warm regards, Wim

I don't have an 88 , but here are two beautiful green Italians for comparison - Omas Milord and the Aurora Optima


Sorry they aren't lined up exactly, but you can see their obvious length and girth differences.
Both a very comfortable, smooth and agile writers. The Optima is heavier.




Regards,
Jeen

some nice photos of some beautiful italian pens, jeen.

interesting to see the greek key pattern on both cap bands. i wonder who came up with that first, as both pens were introduced back in the 30's, iirc, although i may be wrong.

Thanks, inkyfingers, for the mini-show report; I like living vicariously through people who have the good fortune to attend pen shows I can't
I've been to Seattle several times, but not since I got back into fountain pens, so I will have to check out World Lux

Jeen, thanks for the pictures---very nice (as usual )