First Vintage Italian Fountain Pen

[Weaveras]

Hello All,

Been looking for a new pen and have been eyeing the vintage market again. Any advice for the go to Italian vintage fountain pen? Personally I'm looking for a useable every day type of pen that will be a pleasure to use.

Thanks!

[Weaveras]

Hello All,

Been looking for a new pen and have been eyeing the vintage market again. Any advice for the go to Italian vintage fountain pen? Personally I'm looking for a useable every day type of pen that will be a pleasure to use.

Thanks!

[praxim]

Easy. Aurora 88, 88K or 88P, especially the last. Inexpensive, easily serviced, carries a heap of ink, enormously comfortable and practical day to day, and it even looks good.

[praxim]

I replied in your other instance of this thread.

The threads having been merged, that is no longer relevant.

Edited May 21, 2018 by praxim

[Weaveras]

I looked up the 88; beautiful looking pen. I've done maintenance work on a Shaeffer Snorkel before, where the need of maintenance is pretty clear based on the brittleness of the rubber/latex sack. For the piston filler on the 88, when do I need to service the piston? Thanks!

[ralfstc]

In brief, you'll know! When it starts not filling very well, leaking out the back, or running very wet and spattering ink.

 

You might find this thread useful: https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/326234-fixing-up-an-aurora-88k/?hl=ralfstc&do=findComment&comment=3900236

 

Cheers,

 

Ralf

[praxim]

Adding to that, inky fingers owing to slow leaks out the front which are a consequence of air getting past the piston seal from the back.

[Weaveras]

Thanks very much - and the link, wow, quite the comprehensive tear down and rebuild.

[richyrich]

I'm with praxim on the Aurora 88, but why not an Aurora Archivi Storici? These we essentially re-issued 88s/98s using new old stock parts and modern Aurora cartridges. Vintage look and feel in a brand new pen.

Giardino is clearing out their last stock of these at really good prices.

http://www.giardino.it/pens/aurora/archivi.php

[fabri00]

The old 88 is a great pen. I have found some in flea-markets working well, without any need to change the cork piston seal.

 

Also any vintage omas you can find could be a good daily writer, but for sure more expansive than the 88.

[Weaveras]

Thanks for the tips. Richyrich, thanks for the link as well.

Fabri00, I must admit that per your suggestion I typed in "omas" into the classifieds and yes, a little more expensive and a lot more research to know what to look for.