Aurora Talentum

[HenryLouis]

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Henrylouis16/Aurora%20Talentum/IMG_3746.jpg

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When I was at the Toronto pen show, I talked to the Aurora rep there and he showed me the 88, a beautiful (but slightly bulbous) fountain pen, hailing the brand as being very good. I was shocked… to put it lightly when I heard what the purchase price was in Toronto ($395+ tax)… Since then, an Aurora has been at the back of my mind for quite some time. However, knowing that their pens would burn quite a hole in my wallet, I never got around to purchasing one for quite a while.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before I had bought this Aurora,I never really had a pen that screamed "Hey, I use a fountain pen". Sure, youcan say I have my Vacumatic but that pen was a bit small and has a filling system which takes eons to clean (well, I'm slightly over exaggerating)…

 

 

 

After saving some money from Christmas, and exchanging emails with Bryant at Pentime.net, I finally own one.

 

 

 

First Impressions:

 

After trekking through a jungle of packing peanuts, Imanaged to find a black Aurora box sitting inside the postal box. Upon lifting the cover of that box, I was greeted with… red paper! It contrasted well to the black box and it matched the red Aurora logo. A nice touch.What's more important is what was wrapped inside of the red paper. It was…another box! Okay, so after opening the clamshell box (which was quite large and heavy) I was greeted by the pen loaded with the converter, 2 "king size" Aurora blue cartridges, and a few papers briefly explaining Aurora history in a few different languages. Not sure if this is the box all Talentums come in, though, as PinarelloOnly's review has a different box I think.

 

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Appearance and design:

 

Deep, high gloss black finish with a flat top design accented with chrome ends. The pen's body subtly becomes a bit slender at the end, although it's barely noticeable. The pen also closes so it's almost flush with the body. In most pens, this would cause the dreaded step down section. However, the designers at Aurora anticipated this and made the step minimal and further back than I'd think most people would hold the pen. The result is a very comfortable grip. The highgloss finish gets fingerprints easily, unfortunately…

 

 

Everything in this pen shows quality. Unscrewing the pen is a joy, as it isextremely smooth… Smoother than the rest of my pens. When you need to refill,unscrewing the body reveals the metal section and you realize why there is the bit of metal showing in the grip. However, the grip is meant for

 

 

Capped: 13.5 cm

Uncapped: 13.1 cm

Posted: 16 cm

 

 

 

Overall, it's a larger pen than I usually have.

 

 

 

Filling system:

 

 

 

 

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Cartridge or converter… Now before you stop reading this review, I would say itis a good filling system but that would be a half truth… An equivocation, if you will.

 

 

 

The good thing about cartridge and converter filling is that it is easier to clean than a piston, it gives you the chance to use cartridges, and if the converter breaks it's easily replaceable. The converter holds a bigamount of ink but the italic nib will likely drain it out faster than say, an EF.

 

 

 

The thing I don't like about this particular pen's converter is the price. I think places charge $10-$13 for the converter. C'mon! I can buy a bottle of ink for that price! The quality of the converter must be questioned. I mean, it's pretty good and all, but I have the feeling that I might pull it out sometime as it's basically a stronger plastic cartridge witha piston mechanism at the back… There's nothing to hold it there, like with the Lamy Vista for example.

 

 

 

 

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Nib:

 

Always my favourite part to review. After a recommendationby Dandelion, I decided to jump for the Italic nib. As you may know, Aurora is one of the few brands that make their own nibs and they have certain characteristics to them. While some people describe the feeling as tooth, I describe it as control. The nib is incredibly smooth, but controlled so you can write smoothly. I would say it writes at around 7/10. It's not a nail but not flexy either, and with an italic nib you probably wouldn't want a flex nib...but line variation is there if you want it. A wet and crisp line which is verygood.

 

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The nib took two days to break in, I think it has something to do with the fact that the feed is made out of ebonite. At first, it would be hard to get flow with the pen but now it's great. Sidestrokes are very thin,and the downstrokes are very broad. I apologise for the lack of writing samples…

 

 

 

 

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Cost and Value:

 

Well, for what I paid, I got a good deal. Aurora has recently raised their prices, and that is quite absurd considering retail in Toronto for one of these has to be over $350… I got mine for much less than that shipped from Bryant at pentime.net. I highly recommend him as I got a great price and overall he is a great person to deal with… But once you get into these pens you are getting into the higher echelon of writing instruments and it is not aboutgetting a pen for notes or to throw in your backpack. This isn't the pen you're going to lend your friends, especially with the Italic nib which isn't friendly to new users.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

I finally have the pen that I will show to people when theyask, "You use a fountain pen?"… And while I won't be using it for notes at school, general writing with this pen/doing flourishes is a great experience that I think everyone should experience. An instant favorite since I opened the box.

 

To end, here is the pen with my other favorites:

 

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Henrylouis16/Aurora%20Talentum/IMG_3772.jpg

Edited February 9, 2010 by HenryLouis

[MidnightBlue]

Enjoy your new baby Henry Loius

Thanks and good luck. Advice for life: study me then do the opposite.

[Brian]

This is a good review filled with some useful info, i.e., didn't know this pen had a hard rubber feed nor that it came with an italic. How do you find it compared to your vac? Also, about cleaning the vac...yes, it does take nearly an eternity to get the water to go clear.

[MJ Vesuvius]

Great review. I have the exact same pen, with the italic nib, and I love it.

The chrome/black/white gold is very classy.

Thanks for the nice photos too. You've helped me appreciate one

of my old favorites.

 

– MJ

[LostInThought]

Thanks for the review, it's a gorgeous pen.

 

I'm planning on getting one with an italic nib as well.

[dandelion]

Henry, thank you for this inspiring review of the Talentum - very nice pics (really like your new signature as well) - especially the close-ups on the italic. I do think you have been a little ungenerous in your final grading of the nib considering your praise of it - couldn't it at least get an 8? Anyhow - thank you for another great review!

[Ed Ronax]

Excellent review, nice pen, thanks.

[rollerboy]

I do think you have been a little ungenerous in your final grading of the nib considering your praise of it - couldn't it at least get an 8?

 

For the benefit of the casual/newbie passersby, who unlike Dandelion may actually misinterpret the statement, Henry's 7/10 statement grades the wetness of the nib, not overall quality (I'm assuming). You might want to clear up that ambiguity Henry.

 

A well written and well photgraphed review. I'm trying to decide between an 88 and a Talentum. I thought I'd come down in favour of the 88 but now the mulling will continue.

[PinarelloOnly]

Good job!

[stevlight]

Great review--great little collection--I like that you waited saved up and got pens of high quality that will last you the rest of your life. Congratulations.

[MidnightBlue]

P.S.......... get over the piston filler /c/c thing. C/C's are efficient inexpensive and easy to maintain repair or replace. Anyway, Henry, if you got hit with a bill for fixing a piston filler I'd hear you scream from her in OZ.

Thanks

[ArchiMark]

Very good review and nice pics, Henry!

 

The Talentum is a very nice pen and can be found for a reasonable price...

 

[Silvermink]

Very nice - I have an 88 myself but might have to consider a Talentum sometime too if I can get it with a factory italic.

[John Cullen]

Great photos too. Thanks. I am glad you like your pen. Aurora nibs are unique and not for everyone. Enjoy, J

[dannyboy]

Great review, Henry! I'm hoping for a red Talentum one of these days. Thanks for the thoughtfulness of this well-written review.

[Dan Carmell]

Great photos, very good review! I like the look of this pen--very understated and thus impressive. The chrome trim and black finish balance well. Wise choice with the italic nib!

 

Dan

[Leftytoo]

I do think you have been a little ungenerous in your final grading of the nib considering your praise of it - couldn't it at least get an 8?

 

For the benefit of the casual/newbie passersby, who unlike Dandelion may actually misinterpret the statement, Henry's 7/10 statement grades the wetness of the nib, not overall quality (I'm assuming). You might want to clear up that ambiguity Henry.

 

A well written and well photgraphed review. I'm trying to decide between an 88 and a Talentum. I thought I'd come down in favour of the 88 but now the mulling will continue.

 

Note - I just bought the Aurora 88 piston filler with stub nib. Aurora uses the identical nibs on the 88 and the Talentum. So your choise should be based on piston vs CC, price, appearance. I agree with most of the review. Handled with care and a firm, heavy grip it produces a very elegant, distinctive letter. But not for long quick note taking which will tire your hand and produce a common, undistinctive look. Mine, too took about 2 das writing to settle down. And mine is fussy about ink - Aurora, Waerman, Parker inks work well. Pelikan and Lamy, no.

[Rena]

Excellent review, Henry. I always appreciate your details and honesty.

[PenFisher]

Henry, thank you for a wonderful, insightful review and the great photo essay to go along with it. Having had the same pen I can attest to the build quality of the Talentum. You know you've got a high quality instrument in your hand the moment you pick it up. Thanks again for a great review...enjoy your Talentum.

[LWB]

Enjoyed the read...a classy pen indeed.