Aurora 88 Black Satin Review

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[@frankbruno7122]

Hey there Stephen.. always find myself scrolling through different older reviews.. always enjoy them. I've loved my long journey in the fountain pen world and learn new aspects often. My tastes have changed as well.. from BB to EF at times.. it's fun that inexpensive or expensive, there are choices.. thank you for being a big part of the journey for so many of us! Frank from Boulder, Colorado, USA

[@kevinu.k.7042]

All of my Auras needed a little finishing with fine micro mesh. Just a few seconds and then they become an astonishing nib. They can be left at the stage of a pencil type feedback, or taken to smooth as butter. Thanks for a great review. P.S. That looks like an Aurora Fine nib to me... Someone put the wrong feed on it at the factory?

[@andrewtongue7084]

Hello Stephen & Azizah - Happy New Year to you both !! Of all the Itlian scribes out there, this has to be my second favourite - only the Delta brand supercedes that. The main issue - as you so rightly assert, the nib designation; the feedback concern is only a minor issue (but that is a personal observation). I have the 88 in the 'Big Chrome Trim', with gloss finish, & it writes very well. Naturally enough, if considering such a purchase, a BB would probably suit you, but as others have commented, variance in that width of blade can be quite dramatic - mine is the BB, &, for me at least, more than satisfactory. I bought mine some years ago, when Aurora's nibs were more consistent, so there appears to be a lowering in their standard at the point of production - this is a more common factor in finish that many manufacturers seem to overlook nowadays. Overall tho', a fine writing instrument, & pleased that I have it in my collection....stay safe & well 🙂

[@greggplanckaert3785]

I have this pen for a bit more than 10 years and it is absolutely my favorite. But the main problem with Aurora is the consistency of their nibs. You can buy two exactly the same pens with the same kind of nib and they will be completely different when used, so always test them out if you want to buy one. I like to say they all have their own character ;)

[@AnzanHoshinRoshi]

Thank you, Stephen. I've just realized that the design is the basis for the Jinhao X450. Naturally the 88 has much more nuance. I really like the ink window.

[@andrewp4805]

ive got an Aurora Optima in M and i noticed the same thing with the nib width. It writes like it is an EF and sometimes feels a little starved on rhodia paper- i think im going to send it for adjustments because i need more out of it. Mine is very smooth though. I had thought of getting an 88 bc i like the look and the company but the nib thing is making me hesitate. Great video as always.

[@zenrazor659]

Exactly what do you intend for feedback? The nib is too flexible?🎉 I have heard this word by you a lot of times and I don't know the exact meaning thank

[@hendrikvanger7730]

hmmm, I am considering to buy one of such pens, and I find way more attractive the matte finish than the glossy one. It also looks like it will stand the wear and tear better

[@JtwasLuck]

Always wanted to see a video review of this particular pen! That is most definitely not a broad, in my eyes its more of a Japanese medium (like on my 823). I do wonder how their stubs write though! beautiful pen, wish it had more ink capacity though.

[@SA-ce7yz]

Another informative review, Mr Brown. I think the Jinhao x450 is a take on this pen (with a converter)

[@97adhib]

Ahhh, I dream of owning an Aurora 88 one day...

[@Michael-Hammerschmidt]

Out of all the non-extraordinarily bombastically designed pens out there, I think this is my Grail fountain pen. The rose gold along with the matte black finish, and a pump filler! It just pushed all the right buttons. It's probably my perfect pen.

[@pvs18]

I own an 88 with a 14kt broad nib, and I'd say it writes like a fat medium or skinny broad. I do love writing with it though. The flow is slightly above average wetness. I actually really like the feedback and purchased it with the feedback as a selling point, but I don't like butter smooth pens at all so perhaps I'm an outlier. I just think writing is unsettling when I can't feel the page. I actually sold my Pelikan M805 Stresemann in favor of keeping my Aurora 88 because the 88 has a nicer piston, better nib, nice ink window, and is larger uncapped. The 88 nib also unscrews as easily, but you can pull the nib and feed out more easily, making cleaning VERY quick and simple.

[@sbrebrown]

There's quite a couple of people who prefer feedback to ultra-smooth nibs, so don't worry: you're not alone :-).

[@jgm1397]

This is quite strange. My Aurora 88 has a M nib and writes M, quite feedbacky (all right) but definitely M. It is my favourite pen (better: Aurora 88 and Aurora Optima are my favourite pens), though I sometimes prefer softer nibs. The writing is very comfortable, like driving a big, safe car, if you know I mean. I would like to ask Stephen what he thinks about the Aurora Internazionale. I have been using it for some months and I must say that I really enjoy it.

[@imsathyasekar]

I got an Aurora Optima Medium that writes like a Fine and very dry. I was wondering if I had a simple case of bad luck but this seems to be a standard Aurora feature. Not sure I like it very much 😕

[@familiamelgar1426]

my friend bought a sheaffer vfm, but the standard cartridges don't fit, and neither does the converter, what should he do? Oh, and great review.

[@haccom1]

Please review the new 88 Sigaro model if possible, perhaps comparing it to this model. I'm considering purchasing it so I don't have one to lend for s review. I enjoy all of your reviews and consider you the pinultimate source on FPs. Thank You. Always tuned in. HC

[@DrStealthbug]

Old video, but I just wanted to say, I rather like Aurora's feedback. It's a bit of a thing basically all of their pens have. I own two of them (an 88 and an Optima), both of them have a lot of feedback. It's a bit like writing with a pencil.

[@JohnAceti]

Is it an illusion of the video or is the line width of the word 'quick' thicker than the word 'lazy' - indicating a flow problem? It's not a flex nib so the apparent variation would not be attributable to hand pressure on the nib.

[@luissorsini]

+John Aceti I was wondering the same thing when I saw the words "the end". It seems to me there might be some flow issues

[@am7265]

I guess you could call it a flow issue, but the issue lies with the nib and not the feed. You can see how well the feed handles fast writing (although the writing gets narrower) and the writing adequately wet in the flex sample. I simply think the tines of the nib are too tight, hence obstructing optimal ink flow.

[@ziyanzhang3223]

I have a vintage hero 100. I am wondering if you wanted to do a review on it. It is a 30 years old pen.

[@frankieb2784]

Really does appear to be a dry fine.. I have a Mare, Optima series. I love the looks of Aurora, but the writing qualities of that 18k, and two steel Ipsilon models are not my favorite. Could well be the individual pens I received and nit indicative of the brand. I enjoy the in-house philosophy that Aurora has embraced. Great work as always Stephen! Roll the Trolls! Frank from Colorado.

[@r.v.3156]

Awesome fountain pen.

[@ToriZealot]

For the prize of the Aurora 88, one should certainly test before buying. But I hope feeddbacky does not mean scratchy, just not so smooth?

[@sbrebrown]

ToriZealot Exactly

[@matthewbeddow3278]

Its even really a skinny medium if you ask me Thanks for the review Dr Brown

[@luigiluigi2098]

Clearly the pen that "inspired" the Jinhao X750 design. Clip aside they look similar id say. Wish the Aurora was within my budget but locally it's really expensive.

[@yousuck6677]

Would you say that the feed back is like that of a Platinum 3776?

[@sbrebrown]

TwistyX YT It depends on what nib. I used a 3776 with a music nib which has no feedback.

[@MightyMonk360]

Sometimes it’s the pen, sometimes it’s the paper, sometimes it’s both. -RWA

[@curtismontrichard8466]

oh I have no idea

[@jisa39]

I see where the inspiration for the Jinhao X450 came from...

[@Asterog3624]

Hey Stephen, you always say that you have larger hands, can I ask how tall you are?

[@sbrebrown]

Asterog3624 About 6'1", so not that tall, as far as Dutch men go :-).

[@firstname7780]

Yes, F to M not B...

[@dren84]

It id a Parker-esque fine for me :)

[@DJones476]

Holy crap! It writes like an EF. And this is supposed to be a B?!

[@westleygreenhalf2338]

I like the sound of that nib.

[@jisa39]

Writing sample 9:08

[@nadines.1107]

So NOT broad at all!!