The material is actually auroloide, a celluloid acetate material whereas celluloid is a celluloid nitrate material. The celluloid nitrate is a bit more unstable and I've heard rumors that the older celluloid pens had some shrinkage issues, so celluloid acetate is the material used now. Regardless, I love this pen. It's definitely one of my top 5 FPs!!
I like your 'quick'reviews, Mr Goulet, and the Optima is a great pen. Mine is from the first generation in the blue Auroloide. A wonderful writer. Aurora are one of the great pen companies. Thanks for showing off these newer models.
Wow! Great high quality vid. You guys put a lot of work into this! It's not an Aurora Optima, but traveling through Bosnia today and picked up a Pilot Metropolitan at your recommendation. :)
Probably my absolute favorite pen. I own two, one in green with an EF, and another in burgundy with a M. I think you should have displayed the blue one with gold trim, since the burgundy and the gray are only available with chrome trim.
I had the green back in the day before I had to sell it for booze money... Good to know the price has dropped, as it really was one of the nicest looking and functioning and most well constructed pens I have ever owned or used. And it always elicited an impressed noise from audiences when I whipped it out of pocket.
Maybe something for a Q&A - "I accidentally bathed my hands, the sink, the floor in Noodler's Liberty Elysium. What's the best way to clean up what looks like Smurf crime scene?"
This pen is beautiful! I personally love the blue/chrome! Out of curiosity... Not having used this pen before, do people generally recommend the EF, F, or M nib for this one? I know the Japanese nibs tend to run finer than most. Is that the case with this one as well?
I have the burgundy finish and it is in my top 5 fountain pens! I absolutely 😍 it. I have had mine adjusted to be a bit more wet though, full disclosure 😂
I currently own TWSBI 580AL, Lamy Safari, Waterman Hemisphere, and Platinum PTL5000. This is going to be my next next level pen. Really nice pen that has every feature I want. Wish I can jump on that right at the moment but.. 💸💸💸
At a glance that material looks like an acrylic, similar to some of the Edison pens. Not inexpensive, but it has very nice features and build quality. It would be great if they had some soft or semi-flex nibs. I sure wouldn't mind having one, but so far I haven't been able to fork out more than $250 for a fountain pen. Ah, if only I'd been born rich instead of .... not rich.
$250 is a pretty big threshold to cross for a fountain pen enthusiast. I doubt many people care to make that leap when there's so many great gold nib pens under $200. - Colin
I noticed that in the ink capacity comparison they used 5 ml as the max. just curious... is there a pen out there that actually holds 5ml of ink? I'd prioritize buying that as it would mean I only have to refill once a week. ;)
We use that graphic because that's the size of our ink sample vials. Eyedroppering certain pens might get you around 4ml, but that'd be the most ink capacity that we sell. - Colin
+The Goulet Pen Company thanks for the info. I am a little wary of eyedroppering a pen as our uniform is all white. I'll stick with carrying multiple pens. :) Shame. I had hoped that some piston fillers will come close. but I will be experimenting with eyedroppers when I have the chance. thanks. :)
if there is something called perfect fountain pen then this is it. i cannot find one feature it is lacking. piston filler, clear ink window, not too wet nib like pelikan 800 making it impractical on regular paper, color ebonite feed, celluloid body, posts well, now the price drop. what else any one needs in a fountain pen !!! please some one point me one short coming of this pen so that i can rationalize delaying the purchase ! only sailor realo comes close but it is resin body.
I think you pretty much nailed it. It's a full-featured pen that has everything one might want in a fountain pen. Only aesthetics might hold it back for some. - Colin
i believe it is Aurora’s Auroloide which is cellulose acetate where as celluloid in vintage pens is cellulose nitrate. 'pen habit' in his review says, It feels very much like acrylic, but with a bit more depth of color and a slightly warmer feel, doesn’t have that same distinct camphor smell and unstable(easily flammable).
I'm usually not too crazy about background music with a lot of videos I watch. Many are either slightly obnoxious or outright irritating. Stick with "soothing silence."
The material is actually auroloide, a celluloid acetate material whereas celluloid is a celluloid nitrate material. The celluloid nitrate is a bit more unstable and I've heard rumors that the older celluloid pens had some shrinkage issues, so celluloid acetate is the material used now. Regardless, I love this pen. It's definitely one of my top 5 FPs!!
I have the green one and absolutely adore it! Beautiful design, and perfect daily writer. If I could have only one pen, it would be probably this.
I like your 'quick'reviews, Mr Goulet, and the Optima is a great pen. Mine is from the first generation in the blue Auroloide. A wonderful writer. Aurora are one of the great pen companies. Thanks for showing off these newer models.
Wow! Great high quality vid. You guys put a lot of work into this! It's not an Aurora Optima, but traveling through Bosnia today and picked up a Pilot Metropolitan at your recommendation. :)
Great pick. The Metropolitan was the first fountain pen I got to write with, and I loved it. Still writing with it on a daily basis. - Colin
I have the older version of the Optima with a stub nib that I've been using and loving for years. A great pen!
It's still out of my price range with the price drop, but thank you for the up close and personal, drool-worthy review! lol
That's what wishlists are for! I know mine has the green Optima in it. :) - Colin
Probably my absolute favorite pen. I own two, one in green with an EF, and another in burgundy with a M.
I think you should have displayed the blue one with gold trim, since the burgundy and the gray are only available with chrome trim.
Excellent video! Makes me want this pen.
It's really a great pen considering the price point. It has all the features one might want! Definitely going on my wishlist. :) - Colin
I had the green back in the day before I had to sell it for booze money... Good to know the price has dropped, as it really was one of the nicest looking and functioning and most well constructed pens I have ever owned or used. And it always elicited an impressed noise from audiences when I whipped it out of pocket.
Das Nichts alcoholic?
I love how the hands get inkier as the video progresses. Having just spilled some Liberty's Elysium on myself today, I can sympathize.
Mark Dalrymple that's how we roll around here :) -Brian
Maybe something for a Q&A - "I accidentally bathed my hands, the sink, the floor in Noodler's Liberty Elysium. What's the best way to clean up what looks like Smurf crime scene?"
This pen is beautiful! I personally love the blue/chrome! Out of curiosity... Not having used this pen before, do people generally recommend the EF, F, or M nib for this one? I know the Japanese nibs tend to run finer than most. Is that the case with this one as well?
I have the burgundy finish and it is in my top 5 fountain pens! I absolutely 😍 it. I have had mine adjusted to be a bit more wet though, full disclosure 😂
Burgundy is definitely the classiest finish I think on the Optima. Looks so rich. - Colin
I currently own TWSBI 580AL, Lamy Safari, Waterman Hemisphere, and Platinum PTL5000. This is going to be my next next level pen. Really nice pen that has every feature I want. Wish I can jump on that right at the moment but.. 💸💸💸
Yeah, straight into my wishlist it went! It's got everything you could want in a gold nib pen, great choice for those making the big leap. - Colin
Do you accept kidneys as a form of payment?
Not at this point. We're still sorting out the best organ delivery method. :) - Colin
Very helpful - thank you!
Now I want an Aurora pen dang it!!
At a glance that material looks like an acrylic, similar to some of the Edison pens. Not inexpensive, but it has very nice features and build quality. It would be great if they had some soft or semi-flex nibs. I sure wouldn't mind having one, but so far I haven't been able to fork out more than $250 for a fountain pen. Ah, if only I'd been born rich instead of .... not rich.
$250 is a pretty big threshold to cross for a fountain pen enthusiast. I doubt many people care to make that leap when there's so many great gold nib pens under $200. - Colin
So true.
What ink are you using. I love that green :D
That's Diamine Marine. Great ink, and we have a review on it here: blog.gouletpens.com/2016/10/diamine-marine-ink-review.html - Colin
I noticed that in the ink capacity comparison they used 5 ml as the max. just curious... is there a pen out there that actually holds 5ml of ink? I'd prioritize buying that as it would mean I only have to refill once a week. ;)
reychop the Conid Bulkfiller Giraffe holds 6 ml. Most other Conids hold ~ 3 ml. They are expensive though.
We use that graphic because that's the size of our ink sample vials. Eyedroppering certain pens might get you around 4ml, but that'd be the most ink capacity that we sell. - Colin
+Mason Rudesheim thanks. will read more on them online. :)
+The Goulet Pen Company thanks for the info. I am a little wary of eyedroppering a pen as our uniform is all white. I'll stick with carrying multiple pens. :)
Shame. I had hoped that some piston fillers will come close. but I will be experimenting with eyedroppers when I have the chance. thanks. :)
Really nice pen........
Rubber gloves would do wonders for those inky fingers.
if there is something called perfect fountain pen then this is it. i cannot find one feature it is lacking. piston filler, clear ink window, not too wet nib like pelikan 800 making it impractical on regular paper, color ebonite feed, celluloid body, posts well, now the price drop. what else any one needs in a fountain pen !!! please some one point me one short coming of this pen so that i can rationalize delaying the purchase ! only sailor realo comes close but it is resin body.
I think you pretty much nailed it. It's a full-featured pen that has everything one might want in a fountain pen. Only aesthetics might hold it back for some. - Colin
Hi, just wanted to confirm. Is this celluloid pen or some kind of plastic like auroloid?
Vikas
It's made of antique celluloid materials which is different than previous iterations of the Optima. - Colin
i believe it is Aurora’s Auroloide which is cellulose acetate where as celluloid in vintage pens is cellulose nitrate. 'pen habit' in his review says, It feels very much like acrylic, but with a bit more depth of color and a slightly warmer feel, doesn’t have that same distinct camphor smell and unstable(easily flammable).
Thanks a lot Phoenix for the detailed reply.
I wanna spend my money in this pen, but I don't have any :,(
It's all good, that's what wishlists are for! I have the green/gold trim one in mine as we speak. - Colin
you guys could add some background music
You don't like the soothing silence? :) - Colin
The Goulet Pen Company its kinda scary... like waiting for a jumpscare or something kkkk
I'm usually not too crazy about background music with a lot of videos I watch. Many are either slightly obnoxious or outright irritating. Stick with "soothing silence."
no, they should not ... just play some in the background for yourself.