First, thanks a lot for doing this, Blake. Ever since you talked of wanting to do this review, I waited to see it come up. And I even recently reminded and requested you to get to it. So, the Aurora Optima is one of my own all-time favorites. This and the Aurora 88 (which I even like a little more) are some of the ‘perfect’ pens ever made. Stipula’s Etruria pens are another. I have not a single complaint about the Optima (I own four). A true writer’s and connoisseur’s fountain pen. Your Burgundy Auroloide pen is particularly lovely. One of mine is the gorgeous red auroloide 75th Anniversary SE model. I’m very fond of italic nibs myself. I have several of them, across specific types/grinds and different pen brands. I’ll second your opinion about Aurora’s factory italic being the best of them all. It’s my own clear favorite, too. It’s the truest, crispest, smoothest and most pleasurable italic nib I’ve used so far. Aurora’s factory Stub is close behind, in my book. I have this Italic on an Optima, Talentum and Internazionale. Luckily, I don’t rotate my hand and fingers while writing. The writing positron and angle and a steady, light-ish hand probably ensure I have no problems using this Italic (or any other). Aurora’s 1.2mm steel italic nib is a bit sharper and less forgiving than this 14k italic.
Thank you so much for your comment! I've seen the 75th Anniversary model and it is a beautiful pen without as much heavy trim as the later Anniversary pens. Glad to hear you also like your Aurora Italics best. I was not aware that Aurora did Italics in steel. Which Aurora has a steel italic nib?
@@BlakesBroadcast Oh, I watch every video you put out - and comment on most of them. 🙂 Our shared big love of Aurora means I’d certainly never want to miss any Aurora pen/nib review you ever do. The steel italic is a 1.2 mm that I’ve sometimes seen offered on the Ipsilon and even the Style (they have the same nibs anyway). I have this pretty distinct italic nib on one of my two Ipsilons. It’s really good. Of course, the 14k italic is even nicer.
@@sajjadhusain4146 Very interesting. I will ask Aurora if the the steel italics are still available. I will be getting the small 14kt gold italic at some point. I would ideally like it on the mini Optima or 88 but of course the Ipsilon and Edo are great options too.
@@BlakesBroadcast Yes, I’ve rarely seen any if the retailers in either U.S. or Europe offer Aurora’s steel italic. I forgot who I bought mine from. So, asking Aurora directly is really the only realistic and best way to getting one of these nibs. Ha, I have the small 14k italic on my Edo. 🙂
What a beautiful pen! Certainly one to add to my dream list. Also, maybe a weird thing to note, but whenever I watch your writing samples, I think to myself how lovely your handwritten letter F is.
Did the Nibsmith do the grid or did you get the Aurora factory grind? I have a Montegrappa Extra Otto that the Nibsmith ground to an italic. He does great work.
Thank you for an interesting video. I happen to have this Aurora model but in a normal fine, and it is one of the best fountain pens I own. (I also have the Aurora in a medium but, and this is probably my favourite, another with a fine flex nib, which is a marvel to use, producing wonderful line variations.) Apart from the price of the special italic nib, I think I should prefer a finer italic line. I wonder if Aurora produces slimmer italic nibs?
Getting ready to buy an Aurora Internazionale in jade green or verde. Can't wait it will be my first Aurora. I've heard people raving about their nibs for a long time. Have you tried one of those Blake? If so how did you like it?
I have the Aurora Internazionale in Jade and the ebonite Sands. A classically lovely, charming pen that I’m so happy and proud to own. The vintage vibes and the pleasure it provides in style and performance makes the steep retail price of the pen completely worth it to me. Happy to hear that you’ll be getting your jade Internazionale soon. Enjoy it fully!
@@williamcatalano1762 You’d be glad you didn’t pass on jumping on the chance to buy it at an admittedly nicely discounted price. I bought my duo for $795 and $820, respectively. Like I said, totally worth it. I reckon you will feel exactly the same when you get yours in hand and begin to savor the joys of using it. Have you already thought of an ink to pair the pen with? It will come with a 15ml bottle of Aurora blue-black, though.
@@sajjadhusain4146 Did you see the new 88 in ebonite? If I like this one enough I might try to get one of those too eventually. I think this is the first of 3 different ebonite finishes.
I have the Internazionale in green and it is a great pen. There are three downsides of this pen compared to an 88 or Optima: 1) Doesn't post as nicely 2) has a shorter grip section 3) no ink window. On the plus side it is a beautiful pen and faithful reproduction of the Aurora Duplex but with the advantage of being a piston filler instead of a lever filler.
Beautiful pen, Blake! Thanks for sharing with us!
Lovely weekend ahead, mate!
Cheers from Brazil!
Thanks Eduardo! I hope you have been having a great weekend.
First, thanks a lot for doing this, Blake. Ever since you talked of wanting to do this review, I waited to see it come up. And I even recently reminded and requested you to get to it.
So, the Aurora Optima is one of my own all-time favorites. This and the Aurora 88 (which I even like a little more) are some of the ‘perfect’ pens ever made. Stipula’s Etruria pens are another. I have not a single complaint about the Optima (I own four). A true writer’s and connoisseur’s fountain pen. Your Burgundy Auroloide pen is particularly lovely. One of mine is the gorgeous red auroloide 75th Anniversary SE model.
I’m very fond of italic nibs myself. I have several of them, across specific types/grinds and different pen brands. I’ll second your opinion about Aurora’s factory italic being the best of them all. It’s my own clear favorite, too.
It’s the truest, crispest, smoothest and most pleasurable italic nib I’ve used so far. Aurora’s factory Stub is close behind, in my book.
I have this Italic on an Optima, Talentum and Internazionale. Luckily, I don’t rotate my hand and fingers while writing. The writing positron and angle and a steady, light-ish hand probably ensure I have no problems using this Italic (or any other).
Aurora’s 1.2mm steel italic nib is a bit sharper and less forgiving than this 14k italic.
Thank you so much for your comment! I've seen the 75th Anniversary model and it is a beautiful pen without as much heavy trim as the later Anniversary pens.
Glad to hear you also like your Aurora Italics best. I was not aware that Aurora did Italics in steel. Which Aurora has a steel italic nib?
@@BlakesBroadcast Oh, I watch every video you put out - and comment on most of them. 🙂
Our shared big love of Aurora means I’d certainly never want to miss any Aurora pen/nib review you ever do.
The steel italic is a 1.2 mm that I’ve sometimes seen offered on the Ipsilon and even the Style (they have the same nibs anyway). I have this pretty distinct italic nib on one of my two Ipsilons. It’s really good. Of course, the 14k italic is even nicer.
@@sajjadhusain4146 Very interesting. I will ask Aurora if the the steel italics are still available. I will be getting the small 14kt gold italic at some point. I would ideally like it on the mini Optima or 88 but of course the Ipsilon and Edo are great options too.
@@BlakesBroadcast Yes, I’ve rarely seen any if the retailers in either U.S. or Europe offer Aurora’s steel italic. I forgot who I bought mine from. So, asking Aurora directly is really the only realistic and best way to getting one of these nibs.
Ha, I have the small 14k italic on my Edo. 🙂
What a beautiful pen! Certainly one to add to my dream list.
Also, maybe a weird thing to note, but whenever I watch your writing samples, I think to myself how lovely your handwritten letter F is.
Thank you! I enjoy writing Fs. I'd like to clean up my handwriting some more.
Yes, I also have this Optima in the italic grind (Nibsmith) and it’s an exquisite pen and a superior writer ! Enjoy !
Did the Nibsmith do the grid or did you get the Aurora factory grind? I have a Montegrappa Extra Otto that the Nibsmith ground to an italic. He does great work.
In my opinion fast writing with italic nib makes no sense. wonderful pens, thanks for sharing.
You are welcome and I completely agree fast writing does not make sense with an Italic. I still like to do the test just to see what it can do.
Yes, of course. 😊
Great review again.
Thank you!
Thank you for an interesting video. I happen to have this Aurora model but in a normal fine, and it is one of the best fountain pens I own. (I also have the Aurora in a medium but, and this is probably my favourite, another with a fine flex nib, which is a marvel to use, producing wonderful line variations.) Apart from the price of the special italic nib, I think I should prefer a finer italic line. I wonder if Aurora produces slimmer italic nibs?
I have Aurora’s steel 1.2mm Italic, which appears to produce a thin cross stroke and a thinner downstroke than the 14k Italic on the Optima shown her
Getting ready to buy an Aurora Internazionale in jade green or verde. Can't wait it will be my first Aurora. I've heard people raving about their nibs for a long time. Have you tried one of those Blake? If so how did you like it?
I have the Aurora Internazionale in Jade and the ebonite Sands. A classically lovely, charming pen that I’m so happy and proud to own. The vintage vibes and the pleasure it provides in style and performance makes the steep retail price of the pen completely worth it to me.
Happy to hear that you’ll be getting your jade Internazionale soon. Enjoy it fully!
@sajjadhusain4146 couldn't pass it up for 695 dollars when they are normally another 100 to 250 dollars. Can't wait for it to come.
@@williamcatalano1762 You’d be glad you didn’t pass on jumping on the chance to buy it at an admittedly nicely discounted price. I bought my duo for $795 and $820, respectively. Like I said, totally worth it. I reckon you will feel exactly the same when you get yours in hand and begin to savor the joys of using it. Have you already thought of an ink to pair the pen with? It will come with a 15ml bottle of Aurora blue-black, though.
@@sajjadhusain4146 Did you see the new 88 in ebonite? If I like this one enough I might try to get one of those too eventually. I think this is the first of 3 different ebonite finishes.
I have the Internazionale in green and it is a great pen. There are three downsides of this pen compared to an 88 or Optima: 1) Doesn't post as nicely 2) has a shorter grip section 3) no ink window. On the plus side it is a beautiful pen and faithful reproduction of the Aurora Duplex but with the advantage of being a piston filler instead of a lever filler.
Tempting!
It's a good one.
Writing in an italic style would be a better test than writing in a cursive style.
I just like to use my regular cursive to be consistent. This pen works great for italic and cursive italic.
Love the pen but cost to much for my budget!
It is a pricey pen. It took me a long time to work my way up to the Optima.