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I've recently acquired four Optimas. They're beautiful pens and all write very nicely but I'm having a slight problem with one and was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. While all have F nibs, it seems, like Pelikans, the size varies a bit, from almost EF on one, to F on two, to almost M on the 4th. The EF one has a problem with ink starvation - after writing a couple lines, the ink starts to fade and I have to unscrew to piston knob very slightly (barely loosening it) and screw it back, then it's fine until the next go 'round. None of the others exhibits this. I have this one inked with Yama-guri but I'm using Take-sumi in another so I don't think its's an ink issue. For now, I'll try leaving it screwed down not so tightly to see if that helps

Today I took delivery of this Aurora Optima 365 in brown marble. It appears to be in excellent condition, though I have not yet inked it up after an initial flushing. The pen came to me in a box for an entirely different Aurora pen which, while annoying, was not horrible. I pretty much expected that from the sales listing anyway, and I've been on the lookout for just this model so it didn't bother me. What I didn't expect was the deep red ebonite feed. Is this feed color correct for this pen? Does it matter. It does have the correct 18k gold nib. Thanks. EDIT UPDATE -- I asked this question after quite a bit of searching first and not finding an answer. Subsequently, of course, I found the Nibsmith video review which showed the red feed. Got my answer. Thanks anyway. Very happy to have this pen, needless to say. Marc

Here are mine. Would you show us yours? David

Hello, I was wondering if anyone has seen new images, or heard news of this pen's availability. All I've seen so far are the pre-release stock images from Aurora, which (considering the Abissi experience) may or may not be realistic. Any update would be much appreciated

Guys I am recently saving up for a Big pen purchase. I have thought about an Aurora Optima blue auroloide. But I have read some horror stories of the pen cracking. As I am a teenager, I dont have much funds so I dont want to spend on repairs. Plus, it is a tedious process to ship pens from the UAE. So I want to know if that was a problem in their early auroloide pens or if this has been happening recently as well. Thanks and regards, Adit

Has anyone tried heat setting the Aurora optima feed? Technically it should be possible because the feed is made of ebonite. Are there any caveats, warnings that you guys have run into while trying to heat set the feed? I have heat set several other pens like my piston filled OMAS milord and Indian pens like the Airmail 71J and 69EB with good results, so I know the process. I just want to make sure I'm not doing something that could harm the pen's finish, material etc. as this is my first Aurora. Thanks in advance!

I’ve bought my Aurora Optima 4 years ago, and it has become one of my favourite pens. 1st Experience - Just shortly after I’ve bought it, it suffered from a loose cap ring, which I sent to Italy for repairs. Communication was polite but scanty. After a bit of anxious wait, my pen came back 3 months’ time. 2nd Experience - 5 months’ ago, I have the misfortune of having my capped Optima dropped onto a carpeted floor, which in turn resulted in it shattering at the ink window. The nib was stuck in the cap. I contacted Aurora via their email contact as reflected in their website and they promptly replied. I’ve sent off the pen via registered mail and patiently waited. I knew from previous experience that there would not be any acknowledgement of the receipt of the pen. 2 and a half months later, I received an email informing that my pen was overhauled and repaired. I was tardy in checking my email and took about a week to reply. After settling the payment, I waited till recently when a FedEx package finally arrived – 5 months after I sent it off to another continent. The pen that came in was as good as new. My take home messages from my 2 completely anecdotal experiences: 1. Auroloide is fragile. I’ve heard of “precious resin” shattering and though not having the privilege of owning one, I think the fragility index of Auroloide comes close. I will baby the Optima from now on. As a side note, besides the Optima dropping out onto the carpeted floor as I accidentally flipped my shirt pocket over, a Pilot Prera and a Sailor Progear fell at the same time onto the same floor, with none of them showing any wear. 2. Aurora repair is top notch. My Optima came back as good as new, and I think the Auroloide glitters more than before. 3. Aurora communication is courteous but sparse. As pen owners we tend to be anxious about our expensive pens being away from our hands for long, especially with little updates on the status of the pen. 4. Be very very patient.

Hi FPN, I know a lot of you folks are fans of Aurora and are very excited about the new 365 Optima Abissi this year. Since this year is a leap year, Aurora made 366 pieces. According to nibs.com, the color is described as: "The Aurora Optima 365 Abissi Limited Edition fountain pen is made from green marble Auroloide and flecked with flakes of blue. Deep black on the section and flat cap ends provides luxurious design, while gold trim highlights the warmth of this quality writing instrument. This is a pen that must truly be seen in person to appreciate the complexity of the subtle color shifts." nibs.com link: http://www.nibs.com/aurora-optima-365-abissi-limited-edition.htm And from http://luxuryadvisor.online/2016/02/tribute-to-a-classical-time-aurora-optima-365-abissi/ they are beautiful! The 000 number is shown as below. And also in reddit, it is claimed that the last photo was shot without camera shy: https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/402wq5/not_camera_shy_at_all_the_aurora_optima_365/ When I first saw the picture, I was simply stunned and decided to go for one. So I purchased one from novelli.it and I have to say, Novelli is very pleasant to deal with, they put the order and packed very securely and shipped very fast. However, I am very disappoint by the Aurora changed their color. As you can see, the 000 is rich blue-green color with green base and blue strip. However, mine is blue and green strip with grey color base. I am very very disappointed that Aurora made a color change when they put the pen into production. Please check the picture of the actual pen below and see the differences! I compared this pen to one of my old style Optima and you can see how bad the pen actually looks. Again, I am very pleased with Novelli's service and I will contact them to figure the next step. But for further potential buyers of this pen. Be aware of this!

Hi FPN, I know a lot of you folks are fans of Aurora and are very excited about the new 365 Optima Abissi this year. Since this year is a leap year, Aurora made 366 pieces. According to nibs.com, the color is described as: "The Aurora Optima 365 Abissi Limited Edition fountain pen is made from green marble Auroloide and flecked with flakes of blue. Deep black on the section and flat cap ends provides luxurious design, while gold trim highlights the warmth of this quality writing instrument. This is a pen that must truly be seen in person to appreciate the complexity of the subtle color shifts." nibs.com link: http://www.nibs.com/aurora-optima-365-abissi-limited-edition.htm And from http://luxuryadvisor.online/2016/02/tribute-to-a-classical-time-aurora-optima-365-abissi/ they are beautiful! The 000 number is shown as below. And also in reddit, it is claimed that the last photo was shot without camera shy: https://www.reddit.com/r/fountainpens/comments/402wq5/not_camera_shy_at_all_the_aurora_optima_365/ When I first saw the picture, I was simply stunned and decided to go for one. So I purchased one from novelli.it and I have to say, Novelli is very pleasant to deal with, they put the order and packed very securely and shipped very fast. However, I am very disappoint by the Aurora changed their color. As you can see, the 000 is rich blue-green color with green base and blue strip. However, mine is blue and green strip with grey color base. I am very very disappointed that Aurora made a color change when they put the pen into production. Please check the picture of the actual pen below and see the differences! I compared this pen to one of my old style Optima and you can see how bad the pen actually looks. Again, I am very pleased with Novelli's service and I will contact them to figure the next step. But for further potential buyers of this pen. Be aware of this!

Here comes a new "ruthless review". These have a few peculiar features: Concise;Very strict. If a pen costs hundred of euros, no faults are allowed. - A good pen gets a 60/100, - A great pen an 80/100, - An almost perfect one a 90/100. - Only a divine pen can have above 90.Don't care about the box,Add a few peculiar criteria:Nib appearance;Usability in shirt pockets;Out-of-the-boxness, meaning to what extent a nib was perfect right after leaving the seller.Aurora Optima Plain Green Resin, gold trims Super-classic design from Aurora, in plain green resin (not the marbled auroloide, but the deep forest green that was used some years ago). Like this one. 1. Appearance and design: 10/10 This is one of the designs. It's classy Italian style at its best, elegant, smooth, subdued. How can I not give it a 10? 2. Construction: 6/10 Almost perfectly assembled, but one of the o-rings rotates in its place. Unacceptable on a EUR 300 pen! 3. Quality of materials: 7/10 Everything is really high-quality, but the plastic sounds a bit cheap. 4. Weight and dimensions: 10/10 Absolutely perfect. Thick enough to be handled comfortably, but short enough not to be cumbersome. Great section shape, too! 5. Nib performance: not rated I will not rate this because this is the typical Aurora "toothy" nib: I personally love it, but some people don't like this. If you're into nibs with a bit of feedback, this gets a 10/10. If you like "buttery smooth" stuff, stay the hell away from this. 6. Nib appearance: 10/10 Typical bit 14k Aurora nib. Some people don't like the design: barbarians! 7. "Out-of-the-boxness": 5/10 The pen couldn't write well before a thorough cleaning. Also, not acceptable, but easily fixable. 8. Filling system and maintenance: 10/10 Aurora's piston filling. Absolutely perfect in smoothness and capacity. 9. Clip and usability with shirts: 8/10 Perfect measure, fits in all shirt pockets. A bit too short for some jacket pockets, though. 10. Cost and value: 8/10 Minus 2 points for that o-ring issue and the out-of-the-boxness weakness, but overall, very good price-quality ratio. Final mark: - If you like nibs with feedback, this gets 84/100, which in my rating means really great. - If you like smooth nibs, it's still a 74/100, which is very good. But then, you wouldn't buy it due to the toothy feeling, so... My suggestion: get one even if you don't like toothy nibs. With time you'll start appreciating them as well

I've just ordered an Aurora Optima Nero Perla (cracked ice) color fountain pen. What I want to know is "Auroloide" plastic resin or celluoid? Thanks.