Ranga Model 5 Review

[effrafax]

I finally bit the bullet in the New Year and joined in the latest group buy from Ranga Pens in India. I've wanted a clipless ebonite pen for a while, and this was a good opportunity.

 

I'll state the obvious at the outset: this is a BIG pen.

 

My previous biggest pen is a Guider Jumbo, which measures around 16.2 cms capped, and 14.4 cms uncapped, unposted, to the tip of the nib. It's a big nib, probably a #8. The Model 5 makes the Jumbo look puny by comparison.

 

So, the first photo: it shows the Guider Jumbo with a couple of standard yardsticks, a Lamy Safari and a Pilot Custom 74.

 

 

 

Let's add in the Model 5:

 

 

 

And uncapped:

 

 

Please note that the colour balance is a bit off, and the pens look several shades lighter than reality on my monitor.

 

There are many nib options when buying a pen from Ranga Pens, and I chose to have the Model 5 tapped out for a standard Jowo #6 nib unit, but no nib supplied, as I had a couple of unused ones: an extra fine and a 1.1 mm ci. The one in the photos is the EF nib. I had problems with ink flow with the italic nib, which is a problem with the nib unit, not the pen. I'll fix that in coming days, as I want to show Diamine Skull and Roses off to full effect with the italic nib.

 

Since I was intending to use the italic nib, I chose to eye-dropper fill the pen with the aforementioned Skull and Roses.

 

Some statistics of the Model 5:

 

Length, capped: 18 cms!

 

Length, uncapped (with Jowo #6): 15.2 cms.

 

Maximum Diameter (barrel & cap): 1.8 cms.

 

Total weight, unfilled: 49.9 g.

 

Total weight, filled: 53.6

 

Weight, filled, uncapped: 36.3 g.

 

As you can see from the unfilled and filled weights, the capacity of the barrel, filled to just below the internal threads is around the 3.5 ml mark. Should last quite a while with the EF nib, and plenty long enough with the italic nib.

 

One more photo for comparison:

 

 

 

The pen arrived in Australia around three weeks after Mr. Kandan emailed me to say that it had been posted, and email communication from Mr. Kandan was excellent thoughout. Packaging was also excellent, with the pen and accessories (see below) enclosed in a satin covered pen box, wrapped in paper and sown into a cloth wrapping, ensuring the pen arrived safely.

 

Also included in the packaging was a plastic pipette for filling the pen eye-dropper style, a Schmidt cartridge converter (which I wasn't expecting since I did not order a nib with the pen, but was very happy to receive), and a bonus gift pen, which you can see in the photos below. The extra pen is a piston-filled demonstrator, which has the characteristic smell of vegetal resin, as anyone who has a Noodler's resin pen will be familiar with. It has "Oliver Exam" written on the side, and the medium-fine nib feels reasonably smooth uninked.

 

Photos of the packaging:

 

 

 

And opening the box:

 

 

 

I haven't included any writing samples, since this has a very standard Jowo nib unit fitted. Suffice to say that the pen writes very smoothly, with a medium wet flow typical of these nibs. The Skull and Roses works well with the EF nib, and I'm looking forward to getting the 1.1 mm italic nib working too.

 

I have moderately, but not exceptionally, large hands, and find the pen very comfortable to write with. The weight and balance both work well for me, and whilst some may object to the step from the barrel to the section, I don't find this a problem with the standard tripod grip that I have used since primary school, and the barrel threads are not sharp at all.

 

 

Overall fit and finish of the pen are excellent. As you can see from the photos, there is just a hair-line gap between barrel and cap, and the threading is very, very precise between barrel and section, as you would expect for an eye-dropper filled pen. Silicone grease had already been applied to the threads as well. The pen is nicely polished, but not to the point of being glossy, which suits my taste, and there are no machining marks anywhere. Having the option of a cartridge converter is also a plus, although I probably won't use that. Whilst I chose a solid blue colour for the ebonite, there is a wide range of colours available, both solid colours and various combinations of colours in ripple patterns.

 

The cap unscrews in just a tad over 1.5 turns, and the section takes just over seven turns to remove from the barrel, pretty good for an ebonite eye dropper, and more than adequate. By comparison, the Guider Jumbo takes just over three turns to remove the cap, and almost nine to remove the section from the barrel.

 

Not much left to say other than that I am very happy with the pen. Total cost, including postage, in the group buy was USD73, which came out a shade over AUD100 to me.

 

Now, about that italic nib ...

 

 

[mpkandan]

I finally bit the bullet in the New Year and joined in the latest group buy from Ranga Pens in India. I've wanted a clipless ebonite pen for a while, and this was a good opportunity.

 

I'll state the obvious at the outset: this is a BIG pen.

 

My previous biggest pen is a Guider Jumbo, which measures around 16.2 cms capped, and 14.4 cms uncapped, unposted, to the tip of the nib. It's a big nib, probably a #8. The Model 5 makes the Jumbo look puny by comparison.

 

So, the first photo: it shows the Guider Jumbo with a couple of standard yardsticks, a Lamy Safari and a Pilot Custom 74.

 

 

 

Let's add in the Model 5:

 

 

 

And uncapped:

 

 

Please note that the colour balance is a bit off, and the pens look several shades lighter than reality on my monitor.

 

There are many nib options when buying a pen from Ranga Pens, and I chose to have the Model 5 tapped out for a standard Jowo #6 nib unit, but no nib supplied, as I had a couple of unused ones: an extra fine and a 1.1 mm ci. The one in the photos is the EF nib. I had problems with ink flow with the italic nib, which is a problem with the nib unit, not the pen. I'll fix that in coming days, as I want to show Diamine Skull and Roses off to full effect with the italic nib.

 

Since I was intending to use the italic nib, I chose to eye-dropper fill the pen with the aforementioned Skull and Roses.

 

Some statistics of the Model 5:

 

Length, capped: 18 cms!

 

Length, uncapped (with Jowo #6): 15.2 cms.

 

Maximum Diameter (barrel & cap): 1.8 cms.

 

Total weight, unfilled: 49.9 g.

 

Total weight, filled: 53.6

 

Weight, filled, uncapped: 36.3 g.

 

As you can see from the unfilled and filled weights, the capacity of the barrel, filled to just below the internal threads is around the 3.5 ml mark. Should last quite a while with the EF nib, and plenty long enough with the italic nib.

 

One more photo for comparison:

 

 

 

The pen arrived in Australia around three weeks after Mr. Kandan emailed me to say that it had been posted, and email communication from Mr. Kandan was excellent thoughout. Packaging was also excellent, with the pen and accessories (see below) enclosed in a satin covered pen box, wrapped in paper and sown into a cloth wrapping, ensuring the pen arrived safely.

 

Also included in the packaging was a plastic pipette for filling the pen eye-dropper style, a Schmidt cartridge converter (which I wasn't expecting since I did not order a nib with the pen, but was very happy to receive), and a bonus gift pen, which you can see in the photos below. The extra pen is a piston-filled demonstrator, which has the characteristic smell of vegetal resin, as anyone who has a Noodler's resin pen will be familiar with. It has "Oliver Exam" written on the side, and the medium-fine nib feels reasonably smooth uninked.

 

Photos of the packaging:

 

 

 

And opening the box:

 

 

 

I haven't included any writing samples, since this has a very standard Jowo nib unit fitted. Suffice to say that the pen writes very smoothly, with a medium wet flow typical of these nibs. The Skull and Roses works well with the EF nib, and I'm looking forward to getting the 1.1 mm italic nib working too.

 

I have moderately, but not exceptionally, large hands, and find the pen very comfortable to write with. The weight and balance both work well for me, and whilst some may object to the step from the barrel to the section, I don't find this a problem with the standard tripod grip that I have used since primary school, and the barrel threads are not sharp at all.

 

 

Overall fit and finish of the pen are excellent. As you can see from the photos, there is just a hair-line gap between barrel and cap, and the threading is very, very precise between barrel and section, as you would expect for an eye-dropper filled pen. Silicone grease had already been applied to the threads as well. The pen is nicely polished, but not to the point of being glossy, which suits my taste, and there are no machining marks anywhere. Having the option of a cartridge converter is also a plus, although I probably won't use that. Whilst I chose a solid blue colour for the ebonite, there is a wide range of colours available, both solid colours and various combinations of colours in ripple patterns.

 

The cap unscrews in just a tad over 1.5 turns, and the section takes just over seven turns to remove from the barrel, pretty good for an ebonite eye dropper, and more than adequate. By comparison, the Guider Jumbo takes just over three turns to remove the cap, and almost nine to remove the section from the barrel.

 

Not much left to say other than that I am very happy with the pen. Total cost, including postage, in the group buy was USD73, which came out a shade over AUD100 to me.

 

Now, about that italic nib ...

 

 

Dear Mr. effrafax Sir,

 

Thanks a lot for your nice detailed review with pictures

I'm very glad that you like the pen.

It was pleasure dealing with you

Take care

 

Regards,

Kandan.M.P

Ranga Pen Company

[sansenri]

thank you for the nice review and interesting size comparisons, I have a model 5 and it is really difficult to convey the impression of size vs other pens.

Nice choice of colour too, the deep blue really stands out in a pen of this size.

 

I'm sensitive to the step usually but not on the model 5, as it's really quite far back due to the long section.

The reality is this pen is too big for my mid sized hands! so I only use it rarely but it is a pen that stands out!

 

also, I have not tried but in ED it must contain a huge amount of ink...

[Driften]

Thanks for the review. It would be nice to know the diameter of the section. The pen does make a #6 nib look a bit small, bit it's not the first big pen to do so and #6 are much easier to get then #8's.

 

With my medium sized hands I expect that pen is too large for me. Thanks for including the comparison pictures!

[flstrider]

I have one, same size and color, with a broad nib. I use it only at my desk, after admiring. Beautiful pen and a pleasure to use.

[effrafax]

Thank you all for your comments.

 

The section itself is around 1.2 cm at it's narrowest, and flares out to a shade under 1.5 cm at the cap threads.

 

I've gotten the italic nib working in it now, just needed a good clean. The 1.1 ci and pen are a very good match for me.

 

Enjoying the pen a lot.

[Jamerelbe]

The Model 5 is a monster of a pen - the largest I have in my collection - but an absolute masterpiece nonetheless. I'd say the grip section on mine has fairly similar dimensions to @effrafax's - it's pretty girthy, maybe *too* much so for some people, but pretty comfortable for me.

 

Thanks for the review - trust the pen gives you many years of enjoyment (without stimulating *too* great a desire to keep buying more Rangas - or is that too much to ask? )

[effrafax]

Thanks for the review - trust the pen gives you many years of enjoyment (without stimulating *too* great a desire to keep buying more Rangas - or is that too much to ask? )

 

Yup, far too much to ask. I have to find a home for that EF nib I still have spare.

[MuddyWaters]

That step down doesn't look too bad. What a nice pen.

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks for the review - trust the pen gives you many years of enjoyment (without stimulating *too* great a desire to keep buying more Rangas - or is that too much to ask? )

 

 

Yup, far too much to ask. I have to find a home for that EF nib I still have spare.

 

Just watch out, the purchasing of Ranga pens can become an addiction:

 

 

[These are just my FPN Group Buy pens - I have two older eyedroppers that I sourced locally, too...]

[effrafax]

Ow, my wallet just hit me in protest.