Aurora 88: Feel Of Quality

[rogerico]

I use Pilot Blue/Black exclusively in my EF 88 (I think it is the only ink that has ever been in it) and I like the combo a lot.

Thanks for your advise!

[Tas]

Thanks again for your comments! Ink is Diamine Twilight.

 

Thanks to your gorgeous image, I just dug out an old bottle of Diamine Indigo. Never liked it when I tried it and it's done nothing but collect dust or become mix fodder.

 

I see it in a different way now. I'm liking it. A lot !

 

THANK YOU.

[darazs]

The Aurora 88 comes back often in my rotation... So much so that I need to force it out!

It is a great pen, and the famous tooth of the Aurora nibs is actually very nice to experience and makes the writing so much more fun.

 

Obviously, i keep it inked in either of the Aurora inks which are so marvellous although black and blue.

 

Thanks for the review.

[rafapa]

The Aurora 88 comes back often in my rotation... So much so that I need to force it out!

It is a great pen, and the famous tooth of the Aurora nibs is actually very nice to experience and makes the writing so much more fun.

Obviously, i keep it inked in either of the Aurora inks which are so marvellous although black and blue.

Thanks for the review.

3:1 Aurora Blue Aurora Black is a nice blue black. Edited March 12, 2016 by rafapa

[The Good Captain]

I have been using the 3:1 mix for some time and call it 'Haag' because I bought my first 88 at Akkerman's in The Hague (Den Haag) and it seemed appropriate. I might make the next batch 4:1 just for the hell of it!

[mehandiratta]

Congrats for this amazing pen...

 

I just want to ask few questions..

Is the nib intentionally toothy... like Sailor nibs or they give even more feedback..??

[rogerico]

Congrats for this amazing pen...

 

I just want to ask few questions..

Is the nib intentionally toothy... like Sailor nibs or they give even more feedback..??

 

Thanks! Well, I must confess that the nib of my Aurora 88 is smoother than I expected, really smooth! I have also a Sailor KOP and they are very similar: the are not butter nibs, you feel the writing experience, and I love that. It's very pleasant to write with those nibs.

[mehandiratta]

 

Thanks! Well, I must confess that the nib of my Aurora 88 is smoother than I expected, really smooth! I have also a Sailor KOP and they are very similar: the are not butter nibs, you feel the writing experience, and I love that. It's very pleasant to write with those nibs.

 

Thank you so much... this makes much sense...

[Mongoosey]

Does the branding on the underside of the pen get in the way?

 

In other words, Is the raised branding high up enough to rub against the skin of the hand?

[Mongoosey]

Do the Aurora 88's even have a branding on them or is that just with the Optima?

[praxim]

No, just the Optima.

[Mongoosey]

No, just the Optima.

 

Very good. Thank you : )

 

That's too bad they litter the barrel of the optima with that.

[sansenri]

Thank you for the review

I fully agree, this is the pen I would take with me on the desert island...

Besides a great nib, the main claim is ergonomics, a large pen, but it falls into your hand just right

 

my millerighe

[majorworks]

I don't own an Aurora 88, but I've long admired the vintage ones from the 50s and 60s. The nikargenta (sp?) caps, the Parker 51-ish "space age" design, hooded nib, and piston filler comprise, to me, a really attractive package. But I'm not as enamored of the modern version. It's interesting to me that they revived the 88 appelation for the modern version, because they seem to be entirely different pens.

 

Does anyone have both a vintage and modern 88? If so, which do you prefer and why?

[Skopa]

Hello, funny to read this thread. I also have an 88 and like it but when I compare it to my 149s or to my m800...

What I really like about the 88 is the design. Unfortunately, in my hand it is not as enjoyable... its long and I like that, but the section is thib, very thin, too thin, even if you hold it higher like I tend to hold my pens

Moreover the touch of resin is not as nice as the touch of the celluloid of the m800

Question of personal taste of course

Edited May 20, 2019 by Skopa

[praxim]

Does anyone have both a vintage and modern 88? If so, which do you prefer and why?

 

For a vintage pen I prefer the vintage 88 and for a modern pen the modern 88.

 

I love both. The modern 88 is to me, in almost precise contrast to Skopa , a nigh-perfect pen to hold and with which to write. Mine is the large version of the 88. I prefer it to my MB 149, which is not in any respect to decry the 149 but I would keep the 88 if forced to choose between them. While 149 girth is certainly greater, the 11-12 mm of the 88 is mainstream and better for having greater section length, a proper flare at the end, and less slippery material.

 

Regarding the vintage 88, I have about a dozen so they appear to be on my "like" list. I prefer the older 88 and 88K to the late 60s 88P, the earlier models being a little fatter in the section and having hard rubber sections and turning knobs. However, the 88P is normal girth for the period rather than unusually thin, while it benefitted from running design improvements, for example in the piston seal. Any of them are straightforward for maintenance should it be needed. In a set of pens I highly recommend at least one vintage 88.

[majorworks]

 

For a vintage pen I prefer the vintage 88 and for a modern pen the modern 88.

 

I love both. The modern 88 is to me, in almost precise contrast to Skopa , a nigh-perfect pen to hold and with which to write. Mine is the large version of the 88. I prefer it to my MB 149, which is not in any respect to decry the 149 but I would keep the 88 if forced to choose between them. While 149 girth is certainly greater, the 11-12 mm of the 88 is mainstream and better for having greater section length, a proper flare at the end, and less slippery material.

 

Regarding the vintage 88, I have about a dozen so they appear to be on my "like" list. I prefer the older 88 and 88K to the late 60s 88P, the earlier models being a little fatter in the section and having hard rubber sections and turning knobs. However, the 88P is normal girth for the period rather than unusually thin, while it benefitted from running design improvements, for example in the piston seal. Any of them are straightforward for maintenance should it be needed. In a set of pens I highly recommend at least one vintage 88.

Thanks, Praxim, for your insights. Someday I hope to welcome a vintage 88 (or 88K) into the fold. They've always looked like a pen I'd enjoy. They're sort of quintessentially "mid-century". Kind of like me, I guess.

Edited May 21, 2019 by majorworks

[sansenri]

I fully agree with praxim's comments, it's almost unavoidable to have both.

The original 88 is difficult to find with anything but a fine nib, so if you are into wider nibs the modern 88 is the choice.

But rightly so they are very different pens. I have a slight preference for the modern 88 due to size and ergonomic, especially the early versions with longer tines.

I do actually own several of both...
this is the black version with silver trim

 

[jameswatts]

Total agreement. Aurora pens across the board are good but the 88 is truly a flagship pen. I have the all black gold trim model and it hasn't been empty of ink in the 20 years I've owned it. Enjoy!

[sansenri]

let's show that one also