The Pen Decumulation No. 4 - Aurora Duocart (2nd gen)


The Aurora Duocart revival seems to seems to have been a bit of a flash in the pan. A lot of coverage on initial release (here, here and here, eg), another burst about a year ago when they tweaked the capping mechanism and revamped the line (here and here), but it's faded fairly quickly from view since then and the pens themselves are actually quite hard to find now - at least from European stockists. Perhaps Aurora was just dipping its toe in the water, or maybe it was always intended to be a limited release from its "Archivi Storici" series. For all the enthusiasm about mid-century modern in many aspects of design, fountain pens still seem stuck in post-modernism as regards aesthetics. Let's see how the revamped Parker 51 does - although at first glance that seems a lot rougher round the edges than the revived Duocart is.



As you can tell, it's a style I like - restrained and elegant, but not boring (in my view). And it's well executed - I'd echo everything Anthony says here about fit and finish - plus the retail package was extravagantly presented. 


You can argue the final iteration is a little overpriced - but you can say that about all Auroras. I was lucky enough to pick up mine, barely inked, for under £100. And there's something about the contrast of chrome cap and black barrel that I just loved.


What caused me to let it go was the dullness of the medium steel nib. Very well tuned, smooth and reasonably wet (as an aside, I don't find Aurora medium nibs, be they steel or gold, to come with any appreciable degree of feedback). But featureless. Another pen in which, for me, aesthetics were not enough to prevent me from selling it. A decision which I still occasionally regret.






Stats

Length (capped) - 133mm
Length (uncapped) - 120mm
Length (posted) - N/A (it doesn't post)
Section diameter - 10mm
Balancing point - 65mm (54% along the length of the barrel from the tip of the nib)

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