InktendInktend / Pen library / 88
88
Aurora's long-running flagship, an Italian piston filler known for a warm, wet-writing gold nib.
A solid mid-range option once someone has decided fountain pens are a habit worth investing a bit more into.
Specs
About Aurora
Founded in Turin in 1919, Aurora is one of Italy's oldest pen makers, best known for the Aurora 88 (1947), a piston filler still in production in updated form. This model, 88, dates to 1947.
How to fill the Aurora 88
Unscrew the piston knob at the back of the pen, submerge the nib fully in a bottle of ink, and slowly turn the knob counter-clockwise then clockwise to draw ink in. Piston fillers hold significantly more ink than a standard cartridge, often enough for several weeks of regular writing, at the cost of being limited to bottled ink only.
Choosing a nib size
Nib size determines line width, not writing pressure: fountain pens are meant to glide, never press. Extra-fine (EF) suits small, dense handwriting and thin paper; fine (F) is the most broadly recommended default; medium (M) shows more ink character and shading; broad (B) and stub grinds favor bold, expressive strokes and calligraphy-adjacent writing. The 88's gold nib will also flex slightly with pressure, giving line variation that a steel nib of the same size won't produce.
Keeping it clean
Because Aurora 88 holds a larger ink reserve, a full flush every 4–6 weeks (or whenever you switch colors) keeps the feed running cleanly. Inktend's cleaning reminder is tuned to a 21-day baseline and adjusts naturally to how often you actually refill.
Pairing inks with the 88
High-capacity fillers like this one are the natural home for sheening and shading inks; you'll actually see the color develop across a full page instead of running out mid-paragraph.
Frequently asked questions
More from Aurora
Specs on this page have been individually verified against manufacturer and retailer listings.