I got a great deal on a new Aurora Style with a medium nib. I really like the pen, especially the torpedo shape. Problem is, the nib is pretty scratchy. I don't mean tooth, I mean really scratchy. Is it worth sending to Mottishaw or Binder for smoothing? Any other options?

Hmmm. Well, how much do you like the pen? Mottishaw will charge $25 just for the pen to enter the shop, plus whatever he charges for the work, plus ~$9.00 S/H. Richard is less I think, but the wait is longer. Deb Kinney does great work~$35 IIRC. Dillon Ang goes by Dillo and is reasonable and some say he does a great job. Pendemonium will set you $25 and does good work in ~2 weeks.

Did you check the nib to see that the tines are lined up? If they are not that might be the cause, and that could be cheaper than nib work and might be easier to find someone to re-align the tines.

Oh, was it new from a shop? Or new enough to just send in to Aurora under warranty? Might be worth checking into. If it is from a store, send it back and ask for a smooth nib.

So, my take is, if you think this is THE pen go for it. If it is an inexpensive step along the journey to more expensive pens, I wouldn't throw too much money at it.

Deb Kinney, Greg Minuskin, Pendemonium - all will have shorter turnaround times and will do a fine job for less money. If you know you are going to send it out, you could even try a few very gentle short strokes on the finest sand paper.

mehitabel

I have an Aurora Syle too, it is a fantastic pen (mine is F) and it's worth repairing - or maybe change it with another, when still in warranty. Or try to contact directly the Aurora in ITaly, through the homepage: http://www.aurorapen.it/ ... they have a good replace system.

Chiara