Inktend / Pen library / Optima
Aurora
Optima
A model in Aurora's fountain pen lineup. Specs below reflect the typical configuration across Aurora's core range.
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.
How to fill the Aurora Optima
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 Optima'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 Optima 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 Optima
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. Browse the ink library and filter by sheen.
Frequently asked questions
More from Aurora
Specs reflect the typical configuration across Aurora's core lineup rather than this exact model — check current listings before buying.