If I Only Buy One Aurora, Which Should It Be?

[EclecticCollector]

I don't currently own any Aurora pens, mostly because none of their modern styling has appealed to me and I haven't looked much into their vintage. Given a budget of, say, up to $1k USD, which pen - modern or vintage - would represent the essence of Aurora?

[Keyless Works]

I am not sure which pen can really represent the essence of Aurora but they have made and still make a lot of very good pens. My modern Optimas are the most comfortable pens I own. The nibs are nails but I like their sharp oblique and italic nibs. The nib units are also threaded so you can swap nibs as you can with Pelikan nibs.

 

A vintage Aurora 88 could also be a great choice and can be had for $100-$150. They are great workhorses and you can find ones with nice "semi-flexible" nibs.

 

If you are willing to hunt around a bit you could possibly find a vintage Optima. These pens were a competitor to the OMAS Extra Lucens but we're not a commercial success (the filling system can be fragile if used incorrectly). They are beautiful and with a gold nib are a pleasure to use. Mine is very flexible.

[parnesh]

Optima Auroloide. Pick you best color and trim.

[mislav]

My favorite Aurora pens are black/gold Ipsilon Resin models.

Edited March 23, 2015 by mislav

[Doug1426]

Black 88 Nikargenta with chrome trim would be my personal recommendation. Just an awesome pen.

[juacal]

Black 88 Nikargenta with chrome trim would be my personal recommendation. Just an awesome pen.

 

I would recommend exactly the same.

[The Good Captain]

A new, large-size 88 is my choice. Wonderful pen.

[Keyless Works]

My favorite Aurora pens are black/gold Ipsilon Resin models.

 

I agree that an Ipsilon would also be a good choice. I have had an Ipsilon Metallic for over thirteen years now and it's great.

[EclecticCollector]

Thanks for the suggestions all, the Ipsilon looks like a contender.

[Sasha Royale]

I find it charming that you believe you can stop at one.

[EclecticCollector]

I find it charming that you believe you can stop at one.

I've managed to keep it to one Montegrappa and one Omas so far, maybe I can make it a hat trick.

[langere]

In my view, the iconic pen for Aurora (with the greatest amount of history behind it, natch) is the 88. I have five Auroras, but the 88 stands out although the Optima is prettier.

 

Erick

[gvhill]

My personal favorite Aurora is the Africa from their continent series with an extra-fine nib. Beautiful pen, well balanced and an excellent writer.

 

- Grayling

[j1020]

+1 for the Aurora 88 Large, but the earlier 88P is an outstanding and elegant pen with the black body and GF cap. As others have said, they can be had in the $100 to $150 range.

[sarahfar]

I only own one and it is a really incredible pen. Pictures don't do it justice the one on the left just slightly above that price.....

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/mikefarha/IMG_0010_zpsdwdegxgr.jpg

[Cryptos]

I only have one Aurora and it's an 88P. Got it off Fleabay. A bit of a gamble as it was well under the expected price for these things. Turned out to be a very nice example in my opinion. Gets regular use. Is more elegant, once again IMO, than the Parker 51.

[dms525]

I have several Optima LE's, and they are among my favorite writers. They are a very comfortable size to use, and fit in a shirt pocket like a Pelikan M600. I have a couple of Talentums. If for some reason you prefer a C/C to a Piston loader, the Talentums are very nice. They just can't match the Optima for beauty. I haven't used an Ipsilon. Nor have I used either a vintage or a modern 88, but I'm thinking I need to try a modern 88 on for size.

 

As has been mentioned, the Optima, Modern 88 and Talentum can easily share nibs. In fact, I got the Talentums primarily for their 14Kt Italic nibs, one of which is now installed on an Optima Mare. The Ipsilon takes a #5 nib, while the others take a #6 nib.

 

From my limited knowledge, I would say a Vintage 88 represents "the essence" of the brand. But my choice for a pen to use would be an Optima. Shop around, you can find them at substantial discount through several vendors online.

 

David

[jar]

Of my Auroras I seem to use my Talentum most often closely followed by an older 98.

[leod]

Only one? Buy 1 optima then buy 1 vintage 88 then buy 1 moderm 88

[Keyless Works]

As has been mentioned, the Optima, Modern 88 and Talentum can easily share nibs. In fact, I got the Talentums primarily for their 14Kt Italic nibs, one of which is now installed on an Optima Mare. The Ipsilon takes a #5 nib, while the others take a #6 nib.

 

What amazes me is that it can be cheaper to buy a Talentum than the nib alone. I want to find an italic or stub for my Afrika but sadly the 18kt versions aren't sold with the Talentum and the new nib is more than I paid for the entire pen.