Aurora Europa Le

[youstruckgold]

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Now this is more like it! I bought an Aurora Optima on the strength of other FPN raves about Aurora and could never get past the glitziness of the green and gold; I have a couple of vintage 88s which are lovely but not the same, so finally, the Europa arrives and ahhhh. Looks good, not too overstated, now lets see what all the hoo ha is about!

 

8/10

 

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100100/L1010228/web.jpg?ver=12596136310001

 

APPEARANCE AND DESIGN

I like it. The swirling Black and white is impressive without being over the top; the silver band on the cap depicting a train and representing the industrialisation of Europe is chunky and a contrast to the minimal bling elsewhere on the pen, but works well and looks good. The Blue gem on the top of the cap (a la MYU 90) is a nice touch (it probably represents something too but I didn’t check). I even like the very personal looking (almost hand engraved) LE model on the top of the cap (white on black). IT makes you feel your pen is special even before you start to write.

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100100/L1010234/web.jpg?ver=12596149550001

 

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100100/L1010232/web.jpg?ver=12596149060001

Posted or unposted, the look still works. This pen, like other modern Auroras, has the ink view window – how I wish my beloved Omas, or Stipula, or Visconti would do the same on all their pens (yes, I know, duetto, vedo, - but not enough). Natually in this pen, I’ve added Aurora Black ink so the window maintains the theme – which it does…beautifully.

 

The barrel is all black, and this too works well. The silver accessories all blend in beautifully with the pen.

 

9/10

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100100/L1010239/web.jpg?ver=12596150460001

 

WEIGHT AND DIMENSIONS

All good. Posted, nib to jewel, about 15.5cm long and 1.5 wide; unposted, lets say 12cm.

 

9/10

NIB AND PERFORMANCE

Oh THIS is what all the fuss was about!

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100100/L1010231/web.jpg?ver=12596136460001

 

This 18K white nib with attractive scrolling is an absolute delight to write with. Although it’s a medium (and I’m usually a fine or cursive italic person) this nib is heaven to write with. Not as smooth as the Visconti’s, it adds just a touch of tooth that really involves you in the writing process and makes it a joy. There is a touch of flex here; but not much to speak of.

 

9/10

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100100/L1010223/web.jpg?ver=12596135720001

 

FILLING SYSTEM

Piston of course – don’t talk to me about any other. Smooth, effective, good capacity and you can see it working through the ink-view window. Excellent

 

10/10

 

COST AND VALUE

The Europa doesn’t seem to be that easy to find and, once again, I have a fellow FPNer to thank. Merci beaucoup, where-ever you are. Good value, for a high quality pen.

 

8/10

 

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100100/L1010236/web.jpg?ver=12596149990001

 

CONCLUSION

The Aurora hype has finally materialised. An attractive pen that is involving and enjoyable to write with; and comfortable to hold and write with all day.

http://gallery.me.com/youstruckgold/100100/L1010227/web.jpg?ver=12596136110001

 

88/100

 

 0-50 = to be avoided at all costs

 51-60 = if it’s cheap and you don’t really care….

 61-70 = a nice pen with the makings of something better (just don’t spend too much)

 71-80 = A better than average pen with just a few flaws that stop it from being really good

 81-90 = A good pen, a keeper only a few minor places off being great

 91-95 = Now THIS is a pen! If you can get it: keep it, love it, cherish it, and keep it away from the dog

 96-100 = Grail

Edited December 2, 2009 by youstruckgold

[lowks]

Thanks! Great review! **Going back to give my auroras a huggies.

[gteague]

bellissima! più bella!

 

/guy

[armand]

I have the Africa LE (I really wanted the Europa but it wasn't available on sale at that time) which is basically the same pen, just different colors. While I didn't ink it yet (more than a year after I bought it) when I posted the cap, the thick metal band on the cap seems to be a little too prominent and with some sharp edges that are exactly where the thumb meets the hand.

 

Is this bothersome in real life writing?

Edited December 2, 2009 by armand

[youstruckgold]

 I have the Africa LE (I really wanted the Europa but it wasn't available on sale at that time) which is basically the same pen, just different colors. While I didn't ink it yet (more than a year after I bought it) when I posted the cap, the thick metal band on the cap seems to be a little too prominent and with some sharp edges that are exactly where the thumb meets the hand.

 

Is this bothersome in real life writing?

 

This must depend on where you usually hold the pen. For me it has no impact at all. The pen is very comfortable in the hand, the band totally unnoticeable and unobtrusive.

[rokurinpapa]

Thank you for your nice review and beautiful photos. I like Aurora pens.

They have a kind of warm taste of hand made.

 

rokurinpapa

[dandelion]

Great photos - especially the one of the cap under "cost and value" and an excellent review with a personal touch. It is a handsome pen!

Edited December 5, 2009 by dandelion

[georges zaslavsky]

Aurora nibs are as stiff as a nail The nice aesthetic appearance is not enough to compensate an average writing nib.

[jonro]

I have an Aurora Afrika, which is identical in most respects to the Europa, except for the color and trim design. It's a very striking pen and one of my absolute favorites. Aurora's nibs are known for their characteristic "road feel" and it's just a great pen to write with.

[Alice L]

Nicely done review. Thanks!

[youstruckgold]

Aurora nibs are as stiff as a nail The nice aesthetic appearance is not enough to compensate an average writing nib.

 

Can't say I agree with this. The nib has wonderful feedback and is a joy to write with.

[QM2]

I don't agree with that either; mine are wonderfully pliable.

 

I have the Aurora Asia fountain pen, as well as a matching "sketching pen" (a giant mechanical pencil on a stand) and looove them!

[QM2]

duplicate

Edited January 8, 2010 by QM2

[jorgerp1]

Nice pen!!!! and nice flowers too.

[Ed Ronax]

Great review, thanks.

[Silvermink]

Aurora nibs are as stiff as a nail The nice aesthetic appearance is not enough to compensate an average writing nib.

 

Mine is fairly stiff but I have to disagree with "average-writing". My 88's nib is brilliant - perfect, utterly-consistent flow and a feeling of precision unmatched by any other nib in my collection.

[buffalowings]

the barrel design is really beautiful, thanks for posting this review

[rh968]

I went into the local pen shop earlier today and saw this beauty. I only went into the store for some ink and folders, but I left with an Aurora Europa. An impulse buy, but it's a lovely pen and I especially like the train motif, since my home town (Darlington, England) was the birthplace of passenger railways and I am a bit of a rail enthusiast. It writes beautifully, the window that shows whether the pen is full is a very good idea, but no one has mentioned that there is an ink reservoir which is a brilliant feature. Once the main ink chamber is empty, a turn of the piston knob releases a further supply of ink - the company say that it should be sufficient to write one more page; but they do not specify the size of the page! It's a bit like Parker Quink cartridges - if you give one a tap there should be a further release of ink.

[shrinknib]

Gday YSG and well done on a tasteful and elegant review.

I hope to try these pens soon to take me away from my Visconti vorasciousness (if that is in fact a word!)!!