I have the opus 88 with the ebonite section. The design and finish are superb. I think I have B nib and it writes flawlessly. It is very comfy in the hand. But, for some reason, I get bored with writing with it quickly. This might sound a bit silly, but it is so well made that it is somehow a bit clinical. It is like writing with a yellow Bic, superbly made and a classic design from the 50s that looks new even today. Reliable as hell but just another brick in the wall.
Nice pen…I have been wanting an Opus 88 for some time and the sober colours on this might just prompt me to pull the trigger. Thanks for the review…I guess the loose O ring would pose a problem if lost? But, probably replaceable? I’ve never owned an eyedropper hence these novice questions.
This is what I call a pen that can accommodate any colour ink. Purple pens need purple inks, reds need red, I am so matchy matchy haha. Love the pen review and a nice pen.
Thank you for this review, Chris. We need as much normality in our lives as possible these days. On the question of posting, my Opus 88 is an Omar, and it posts securely, and is the only eyedropper fill pen I own. It writes very well and very comfortably when posted.
Chris, great review, and a great pen! I have three Opus 88's; two Belas (red & blue) and an Omar (clear). All have EF nibs. I must say, three of favorite pens … great looking, and great writing!
Hello Chris! Thanks for your important analysis. I agree with you about the resin: it gives an idea of solidity. But give me some doubts about the nib: it doesn't look like a Bock or a JoWo to me. I saw Bock's reaction on paper in your review of the Moonman 800 and it seems very different to me. I know the JoWo in the Kaweco Perkeo and they seem very different to me as a reaction of the nib on paper. Maybe my impression … Thanks for your sharing!
I like this pen and the review. I have had accidents with eyebrow powered pens, when ink flows out of the pen in huge amounts. I will not eyedropper often without a shutoff valve! K
Welcome to the Opus 88 family! I have a Koloro with a 1.4mm stub, and a very early and quite standard (design wise) Opus 88 with a very pretty material which I cannot locate any model designation for. I use my Koloro constantly and yes, periodically forget to open the valve. But honestly it's one of my favorite and most used pens.
Nice looking pen. I may need to look into one of these. I love my 88 Demo pen and it's about the smoothest non-gold nib pen I own. The caps do take a few turns though to come off it seems so that should be noted for anyone looking at one specifically as a quick note taker. My Demo takes a full 4 turns to remove.
Thank you, Chris, for the review. Nice pen, good looking & functional. For some reason every time I hear Opus my brain substitutes Omas & I start thinking of Italian pens, I think maybe I'm just odd.
I have one coming for a Christmas present, in blue, my first Opus. It is good to be able to get solid, relatively large pens with interesting nibs and filling systems without going well past three digits in price.
Just got the flow in blue, I got the EF nib and will prob replace it with a modified Pilot parallel nib.. they make great marks..I use them to da Raw and I have two other clear demonstrator models.. thanks
Welcome to the club, I have the Picnic Viola, Fantasia Brown, and Flora, now looking to add some Flow on the go. Thx for covering this one as I'm looking to add the grey to my collection.
24 Comments
I have the opus 88 with the ebonite section. The design and finish are superb. I think I have B nib and it writes flawlessly. It is very comfy in the hand. But, for some reason, I get bored with writing with it quickly. This might sound a bit silly, but it is so well made that it is somehow a bit clinical. It is like writing with a yellow Bic, superbly made and a classic design from the 50s that looks new even today. Reliable as hell but just another brick in the wall.
Nice pen…I have been wanting an Opus 88 for some time and the sober colours on this might just prompt me to pull the trigger. Thanks for the review…I guess the loose O ring would pose a problem if lost? But, probably replaceable? I’ve never owned an eyedropper hence these novice questions.
This is what I call a pen that can accommodate any colour ink. Purple pens need purple inks, reds need red, I am so matchy matchy haha. Love the pen review and a nice pen.
Thanks for the review, Chris. Opus pens interest me, but that nib puts me off: I prefer more shine. This nib looks scuffed.
I remember at some point that you were considering grinding your own nibs? Best to all. Tim
Did you experience any leaks when the ink level is low?
Thank you for this review, Chris. We need as much normality in our lives as possible these days. On the question of posting, my Opus 88 is an Omar, and it posts securely, and is the only eyedropper fill pen I own. It writes very well and very comfortably when posted.
Chris, great review, and a great pen! I have three Opus 88's; two Belas (red & blue) and an Omar (clear). All have EF nibs. I must say, three of favorite pens … great looking, and great writing!
Thanks for a good review.
Hello Chris! Thanks for your important analysis. I agree with you about the resin: it gives an idea of solidity. But give me some doubts about the nib: it doesn't look like a Bock or a JoWo to me. I saw Bock's reaction on paper in your review of the Moonman 800 and it seems very different to me. I know the JoWo in the Kaweco Perkeo and they seem very different to me as a reaction of the nib on paper. Maybe my impression … Thanks for your sharing!
Very nice! (That wispy acrylic would work well with the Fuliwen silver.)
I like this pen and the review. I have had accidents with eyebrow powered pens, when ink flows out of the pen in huge amounts. I will not eyedropper often without a shutoff valve! K
Welcome to the Opus 88 family! I have a Koloro with a 1.4mm stub, and a very early and quite standard (design wise) Opus 88 with a very pretty material which I cannot locate any model designation for. I use my Koloro constantly and yes, periodically forget to open the valve. But honestly it's one of my favorite and most used pens.
You should also look at the opus 88 koloro demonstrator.
Nice looking pen. I may need to look into one of these. I love my 88 Demo pen and it's about the smoothest non-gold nib pen I own. The caps do take a few turns though to come off it seems so that should be noted for anyone looking at one specifically as a quick note taker. My Demo takes a full 4 turns to remove.
Great review Chris. Don't have one if these and I like larger pens so will definitely be looking to add one of these to my collection.
Can you see how the flow works with a titanium nib? Thanks
Thank you, Chris, for the review. Nice pen, good looking & functional. For some reason every time I hear Opus my brain substitutes Omas & I start thinking of Italian pens, I think maybe I'm just odd.
Lovely pen. I enjoyed the review and must get an Opus soon.
If you had to choose between the Opus 88 and a Fine Writing International pen, which would you choose?
I have one coming for a Christmas present, in blue, my first Opus. It is good to be able to get solid, relatively large pens with interesting nibs and filling systems without going well past three digits in price.
Just got the flow in blue, I got the EF nib and will prob replace it with a modified Pilot parallel nib.. they make great marks..I use them to da
Raw and I have two other clear demonstrator models.. thanks
Outstanding review as always.
Welcome to the club, I have the Picnic Viola, Fantasia Brown, and Flora, now looking to add some Flow on the go. Thx for covering this one as I'm looking to add the grey to my collection.