Aurora Hastil - opinions?

Hi acpp,

I've been reading about the Aurora Hastil, and looking at a few
pictures.

It looks remarkably elegant, in a minimalist way. Apparently one is on
permanent display in the New York Museum of Modern Art. I'm wondering,
though, whether it writes as well as it looks, or if its beauty is only skin
deep.

If you own one, or have tried it, what are your impressions?

--
Moira

"Col Morrison" wrote in message
. co.uk...
Moira Perkins in :

I've been reading about the Aurora Hastil, and looking at a few pictures.

[...]

If you own one, or have tried it, what are your impressions?

I have one of these. It's not the sort of thing I would normally go
for, but I must say I'm quite impressed with it. Mine is red lacquer
on brass, with gold-plated fittings and a 14-ct gold medium nib. The
section is black textured acrylic, which provides a good grip but is a
little narrow for my hand.

The grip sounds OK for me... I've got a Magellano, an inexpensive but
pretty, slimline Aurora. It's narrow all right, but has a good precise feel
to it.

snip
C/C filling system will take a Parker converter (I'm currently using
it with the slide type), and it's also possible to get an Aurora
press-bar converter, but I'm unsure as to whether it would fit in the
narrow barrel.

So are Parker cartridges compatible with Aurora then? I've got the slender
Aurora press-bar converter you mention. It works well enough, but doesn't
hold much ink.

The nib is not decorative, but somehow looks 'the business'. Generous
blob of iridium, and writes very smoothly with good, regular ink flow.

Ooh!
Sounds like my kind of pen.

Altogether, an underrated pen which it's hard not to admire. I'll sell
it to you if you like.

Already got one on its way in the post, but I'm relieved to hear such
positive comments about it. Thanks.

--
Moira

"Col Morrison" wrote in message
. co.uk...
Moira Perkins in :

So are Parker cartridges compatible with Aurora then?

Yep.

That's useful to know.

I've got the slender Aurora press-bar converter you mention. It works
well
enough, but doesn't hold much ink.

Interesting. Did it come with another of your pens, or did you buy it
online?

I bought it in a little bricks-and-mortar pen shop, in Worcester, UK.

Already got one on its way in the post, but I'm relieved to hear such
positive comments about it.

I hope you like it - perhaps you could report back.

Thanks, I will do. It's coming from its native Italy.

--
Moira

Col Morrison" wrote in message
. co.uk...

snip
I hope you like it - perhaps you could report back.

Hi Col,

I got my Aurora Hastil today. The first surprise was the box - like a
piece of silver pipe - that it came in. Inside was another much smaller
silver pipe - the Hastil itself. Wow - it's the slimmest FP I've ever seen

I think this silver-colour one must be the basic model; you have the red
laquer one. I've also seem matte-black ones on offer.

The pictures don't give any hint of the tactile treat in store when you
handle the real pen. The surface is some sort of brushed metal, with a
smooth silky texture. The black plastic grip is etched with tiny grooves
which give it an unusual but pleasant feel.

I like the purposeful look of the white gold nib... I'd call it
"dimpled", for want of a better word.

Without the cap posted, it feels too small, like an upmarket Pilot
Birdie.
(Hey, you know, I think the Birdie is a Hastil copycat. It's got the dimpled
nib and fluted grip!)

With the cap posted, it is just right.

I skipped the traditional soap flush and stuck in a cartridge. First
impressions of writing with it were bad - it felt all dried-up and scratchy.
Anxious inspection with a 10x loupe showed no misalignment, or flats/damage
to the Iridium - all looked in perfect condition. Oh, did I say? It's
second-hand.

After a bit more writing, though, the ink flowed properly, and it became
as smooth as a skate. I recommend it to anyone who's comfortable with slim
pens - a beautiful pen that writes well.

--
Moira