Easily among my most-loved fountain pens of all time (I have four of them). Aurora Optima is just a supremely classy and sublime writing instrument. It is certainly a somewhat short, stocky, girthy pen. And you’re quite correct, the Optima does share obvious design, size and aesthetic similarities to the Sailor Pro Gear, but the Optima is also clearly a girthier pen. The length of the pen is quite deceptive, because uncapped, the Optima is actually very comparable in length to many of its peers in quality and price. The piston filling mechanism is the smoothest, nicest one I’ve ever used in a fountain pen. Ditto the Aurora 88’s, which is the same mechanism anyway. The Optima’s cap band is quite a highlight for me. It is extremely classy. The ink window is excellent and functional. And ultimately, the stellar nib. I have one 14k and three 18k nibs on my quartet of Optimas. Either way, the trademark Aurora feedback and the peerless smoothness and pleasure of the writing experience. Beauty, performance, pleasure and value on price, the Aurora Optima gives it all. It may even have been called the Aurora Ultima, i.e. the ultimate fountain pen. I just like the 88 a little more. 🙂 Kudos for a well-done review of this timeless classic Italian pen. I’m now seeking to get a vintage Optima.
Yes, Auroloid is a celluloid using a different chemical element than is usual. Hence no smell and no imminent risk of combustion. These are one of my favourite writers and so are the Sailor Pro Gears, but they have different personalities. For me both are good. The Optima is about 0.5 cm longer than my Pro Gear and it is broader in the barrel and section. Overall it feels somewhat larger. The Sailor is 12g and the Aurora is 14g both uncapped. The Aurora arrives with what is popularly called 'significant feedback'. I would call them damned right scratchy. I have three (from Appelboom), they were all too scratchy. But just thirty seconds with 0.5 micron sorted that out very easily. I removed nearly all of the feedback. Mine now write as smoothly as the lovely Sailor PG. Great review as always, you packed it in and went fast, but as always it was so thorough. Great to see a new review from you. Cheers und Ciao and thank you. :)
Thanks so much, Kevin, for keeping coming back and leaving this kind feedback! Very glad you enjoy those pens. Thanks also for illuminating the Auroloide detail! Very interesting! If I had no artificially constrained myself to German makes only, I would surely keep that one in my humble collection.
Thank you Michael for the review. Indeed , Aurora has a long history of making stunning pens. I believe the price is quite fair compared to some other makers in the range. I do not own a 88, but tried and quite impressed with the performance. 😊 Was wondering if this is injection moulded or turned acrylic!
I’m pretty sure it is not injection molded at all. Aurora’s famed ‘Auroloide’ resin used in the Optima and 88 are extremely durable, scratch-resistant material, milled from rods and almost mimicking the appearance of celluloid. Owning a pen like the Optima probably makes it pointless to ever buy another pen. 🙂
@@dashsunil ..But you know, Dash, I always felt that the build quality of the Pro Gear is actually very good in its own way. Better than some Pilot and Platinum models.
I have had very bad luck with my Optima. I bought it some time around 2006. One day I was finished writing and I took the cap off the back of the pen, and the cap band stayed on the pen. The US importer replaced the cap under warranty, but then told me not to post the cap anymore. It took many months for this replacement. Ok, so I stopped posting it. Then one day I unscrewed the cap to use the pen, and again the band stayed on the pen and the cap simply twisted off. For may years I just left it in a pen cup unused. Finally I decided to get it fixed again, though this time I had to pay. Maybe 1 year later it started leaking ink from where the ink window meets the pen body, and I haven't used it since.
My goodness, Michael, speaking of 'Love at first sight' just doesn't cover it. I am indeed, in love with this pen; smooth, clean lines, chunky (for we large-handed individuals); this writing instrument is sumptuous, & very retro with that equally chunky ball clip; like you, I relish the feedback from a nib; also, rather minimalist & classic looking; in effect, a perfect scribe. I like the ink reservoir window, & the fact that it is a piston-fill mechanism. As far as I am concerned, after Delta, Aurora lead the way in Italian made pens - but then, Delta (sadly) is now defunct. I consider - at least for the classicists, this model (along with the '88) will become a market leader; certainly, it's not going to appeal to all, but as far as I am concerned, my friend, this is a winner (notwithstanding it's origins from the Twentieth Century). The only innovation (if one may ascribe it as such) is the ink reserve valve - actually, a device that came as standard with the German brand, Geha as well, & if memory serves, known as a 'Reservetank' in the German language - anyone correct me if this is not the phrase. It was a small tubule that held the ink - drawn off of the initial fill-up from a bottle, & when the piston turning knob was opened slightly, allowed another page's worth of writing to be accomplished; very neat (& common-sensical) idea. I am now going to source this out & see what other colours are available. You couldn't have sold this instrument any more efficiently if you'd tried, Michael. Fantastic !! 🙂
You might want to check out the You Tube of the factory. These are gorgeous pens to write with. I have three! Tip: The nibs tend to the broader size. I like a medium nib. Their medium nib is more like a medium broad. I got the Fine nib and it was like a slightly fine medium. Just perfect for me. The nibs are famous for having a lot of feedback too. 0.5 micron mesh gets that tamed in a few seconds. The nibs are hand made and finished by Aurora BTW. Thewy are very nice to write with. Happy hunting.
you are very lucky to pay it 390 euro - did you add vat ? -. we pay for it 480 here in Italy. I love this pen aesthetically but it looks too short for my hand. I think I'll go for a 88 or buy another Talentum - not sure if piston system is worth in general -
Nonsense. The difference in the feel in hand, and the nib quality, is huge. I bought a Majohn T5 just because I was curious, and it's in a completely different league.
Easily among my most-loved fountain pens of all time (I have four of them).
Aurora Optima is just a supremely classy and sublime writing instrument.
It is certainly a somewhat short, stocky, girthy pen. And you’re quite correct, the Optima does share obvious design, size and aesthetic similarities to the Sailor Pro Gear, but the Optima is also clearly a girthier pen. The length of the pen is quite deceptive, because uncapped, the Optima is actually very comparable in length to many of its peers in quality and price. The piston filling mechanism is the smoothest, nicest one I’ve ever used in a fountain pen. Ditto the Aurora 88’s, which is the same mechanism anyway.
The Optima’s cap band is quite a highlight for me. It is extremely classy. The ink window is excellent and functional. And ultimately, the stellar nib. I have one 14k and three 18k nibs on my quartet of Optimas. Either way, the trademark Aurora feedback and the peerless smoothness and pleasure of the writing experience.
Beauty, performance, pleasure and value on price, the Aurora Optima gives it all. It may even have been called the Aurora Ultima, i.e. the ultimate fountain pen. I just like the 88 a little more. 🙂
Kudos for a well-done review of this timeless classic Italian pen. I’m now seeking to get a vintage Optima.
Thanks very much for your kind and elaborate comment! I enjoyed reading it very much.
Thank you for another great review Michael!
Thanks much, too!
Yes, Auroloid is a celluloid using a different chemical element than is usual. Hence no smell and no imminent risk of combustion.
These are one of my favourite writers and so are the Sailor Pro Gears, but they have different personalities. For me both are good.
The Optima is about 0.5 cm longer than my Pro Gear and it is broader in the barrel and section. Overall it feels somewhat larger. The Sailor is 12g and the Aurora is 14g both uncapped.
The Aurora arrives with what is popularly called 'significant feedback'. I would call them damned right scratchy. I have three (from Appelboom), they were all too scratchy. But just thirty seconds with 0.5 micron sorted that out very easily. I removed nearly all of the feedback. Mine now write as smoothly as the lovely Sailor PG.
Great review as always, you packed it in and went fast, but as always it was so thorough.
Great to see a new review from you.
Cheers und Ciao and thank you. :)
I would go with Talentum, pistons are a gimmick
Thanks so much, Kevin, for keeping coming back and leaving this kind feedback!
Very glad you enjoy those pens.
Thanks also for illuminating the Auroloide detail! Very interesting!
If I had no artificially constrained myself to German makes only, I would surely keep that one in my humble collection.
Love your videos. You give an honest review of the pen, and the videos are very entertaining. Thank you.
Thank you very much. I am glad to read this.
Thank you Michael for the review. Indeed , Aurora has a long history of making stunning pens. I believe the price is quite fair compared to some other makers in the range. I do not own a 88, but tried and quite impressed with the performance. 😊
Was wondering if this is injection moulded or turned acrylic!
I’m pretty sure it is not injection molded at all. Aurora’s famed ‘Auroloide’ resin used in the Optima and 88 are extremely durable, scratch-resistant material, milled from rods and almost mimicking the appearance of celluloid. Owning a pen like the Optima probably makes it pointless to ever buy another pen. 🙂
@@sajjadhusain4146 thank you for the info. I have the pro gear, but the build quality is inferior compared to the 88. Hence, asked the question. 😊
@@dashsunil ..But you know, Dash, I always felt that the build quality of the Pro Gear is actually very good in its own way. Better than some Pilot and Platinum models.
my compliments, as usual brilliant review. Greetings from Rome!
Grazie, Luca. Much appreciated!
It is a lovely pen,a classic Aurora design.Thank you for a fine review.It is expensive,but beautiful.
Thanks very much!
I have had very bad luck with my Optima. I bought it some time around 2006. One day I was finished writing and I took the cap off the back of the pen, and the cap band stayed on the pen. The US importer replaced the cap under warranty, but then told me not to post the cap anymore. It took many months for this replacement. Ok, so I stopped posting it. Then one day I unscrewed the cap to use the pen, and again the band stayed on the pen and the cap simply twisted off. For may years I just left it in a pen cup unused. Finally I decided to get it fixed again, though this time I had to pay. Maybe 1 year later it started leaking ink from where the ink window meets the pen body, and I haven't used it since.
Sorry to hear you had back luck on that one!
My goodness, Michael, speaking of 'Love at first sight' just doesn't cover it. I am indeed, in love with this pen; smooth, clean lines, chunky (for we large-handed individuals); this writing instrument is sumptuous, & very retro with that equally chunky ball clip; like you, I relish the feedback from a nib; also, rather minimalist & classic looking; in effect, a perfect scribe. I like the ink reservoir window, & the fact that it is a piston-fill mechanism. As far as I am concerned, after Delta, Aurora lead the way in Italian made pens - but then, Delta (sadly) is now defunct. I consider - at least for the classicists, this model (along with the '88) will become a market leader; certainly, it's not going to appeal to all, but as far as I am concerned, my friend, this is a winner (notwithstanding it's origins from the Twentieth Century).
The only innovation (if one may ascribe it as such) is the ink reserve valve - actually, a device that came as standard with the German brand, Geha as well, & if memory serves, known as a 'Reservetank' in the German language - anyone correct me if this is not the phrase. It was a small tubule that held the ink - drawn off of the initial fill-up from a bottle, & when the piston turning knob was opened slightly, allowed another page's worth of writing to be accomplished; very neat (& common-sensical) idea.
I am now going to source this out & see what other colours are available.
You couldn't have sold this instrument any more efficiently if you'd tried, Michael.
Fantastic !! 🙂
You might want to check out the You Tube of the factory.
These are gorgeous pens to write with. I have three!
Tip: The nibs tend to the broader size. I like a medium nib. Their medium nib is more like a medium broad. I got the Fine nib and it was like a slightly fine medium. Just perfect for me.
The nibs are famous for having a lot of feedback too. 0.5 micron mesh gets that tamed in a few seconds. The nibs are hand made and finished by Aurora BTW. Thewy are very nice to write with.
Happy hunting.
Thank you, Kevin ! 🙂
Happy you do find this such an appealing pen! Did you further look into it?
Also: "Reservetank" is very much correct!
Oh good, Michael - my German is quite rusty - thank you for the confirmation, my friend 🙂
Lovely pen. Thanks
you are very lucky to pay it 390 euro - did you add vat ? -. we pay for it 480 here in Italy. I love this pen aesthetically but it looks too short for my hand. I think I'll go for a 88 or buy another Talentum - not sure if piston system is worth in general -
Looks like a nice pen
If only Aurora could actually have a Quality Control department instead of a "Russian Roulette" department.
Pricey, but so beautiful.
Indeed, on both :)
Get a Majohn T5. You cant tell the difference
Not a friend of counterfeits
@Scrivelynotes It writes just as good. No reason to waste the money when you can get one just as good for less
@@stephenpope578 fully respect that this is your opinion
Nonsense. The difference in the feel in hand, and the nib quality, is huge. I bought a Majohn T5 just because I was curious, and it's in a completely different league.
@@stephenpope578 It does not; if only because the Aurora nib is so much better.