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I request all fellow users to show off the Ebonite only pens here.... Show us your ebonite beauties here .... Would really love to know what all we have....

Hi friends! Finally, I can boast of my own fully created fountain pen. Of course, I didn’t make the nib and used a standard nib unit with Germany nib, but the rest was built by me from start to end. So, welcome to viewing and discussion. Andrew Lensky “Tribute” (working title) – ebonite medium sized fountain pen w|JoWo #6 nib unit (made in Ukraine) prototype Detailed: http://lenskiy.org/2023/11/own-my-first-fully-designed-and-self-made-fountain-pen/ Compared to Pelikan M800 and MB 146|Legrand

Dear FPN'ers, We, RANGA Handmade Pens Introducing "Little Abimanyu " Model in Classic Ebonites and Premium Acrylics. Ebonite's are highly beautiful and classic. Premium Acrylics are glossy, attractive and Visually stunning. This is Slender version of our popular Model Ranga Abhimanyu. Ebonite Feed option is available for Ranga Nib units. Enjoy the writing experience with our Ebonite Feeds. This is beautiful Clipless slender pen in relatively shorter length. It is cute and sturdy . It caps in less than 1 turn. The section is classic vintage style design. This Model is perfect for Every day use, Gifting and Collector's. You can upgrade it to plenty of nib choices with extra charge. This offer is Valid till 06-October-2024 Capped Length - Approximately 132mm Capped length, Cap Dia - 14.3mm, Barrel Dia - 14.3mm, Section Dia - 11mm at Thickest part and 9.8 mm at lowest part. In Order to Purchase "RANGA LITTLE ABHIMANYU " Pen, Kindly fill the google form. All details & Pictures are included in the form RANGA LITTLE ABHIMANYU PURCHASE LINK Regards, Kandan.M.P Ranga Pen Company

Dear FPN'ers, This Offer is for RANGA Sugarcane Model Pen in TWO different sizes. 1.Regular Sugarcane , 2.Giant Sugarcane in Various Ebionites & Acrylic Colors This Pen caps and uncaps in just one turn . Capping and Uncapping would be very easier. It resembles Natural Sugarcane . It is Clipless Model Pen. The top and bottom edge of the Pens are beautifully Carved to make it unique. The Sugarcane Nodes are Precisely crafted. It takes lot of Artisan's time to make a single pen. This is one of the Ranga Flagship Model. This offer is Valid till 02-September -2024 1.Regular Sugarcane - Capped length 6.5 inches approximately. Dia - 14.5mm and 16.8 at nodes. Section 11.2mm at maximum part and 10.2mm at center. 2.Giant Sugarcane - Capped length 7 inches approximately. Dia - 16.5mm and 18.75 at nodes. Section 11.5mm at maximum part and 10.8mm at center. In Order to Purchase "RANGA SUGARCANE MODEL IN REGULAR / GIANT SIZE " Pen, Kindly fill the google form. All details & Pictures are included in the form RANGA HANDMADE PENS- SUGARCANE (REGULAR & GIANT)  MODEL -OFFER SALE IN VARIOUS EBONITES & ACRYLICS Regards, Kandan.M.P Ranga Pen Company

Dear FPN'ers, Greetings !!! We are very happy to introduce our Ranga Metal Series Pens for first time. Here, we introduce Ranga Abhimanyu Brass Pen. Abhimanyu is our most successful Model. Brass is superb Metal to hold for writing with Antique Value. This is very gorgeous pen. Weight: Capped Pen -122 grams ,Uncapped Pen -72grams Engraving Personalization option is available. This makes the pen special for its owners. In Order to Purchase "RANGA ABHIMANYU BRASS " Pen, Kindly fill the google form. All details are included in the form including the pen pictures RANGA ABHIMANYU BRASS PEN PURCHASE LINK You can contact us in our mail id mpkandan@yahoo.co.in for queries Regards, Kandan.M.P Ranga Pen Company

Dear FPN'ers , Greetings. We are doing offer price for Ranga Model 9B Pen in P41. Ice Green, P42. Green/Black/Brown Cracked Ice , P43. Mountain BlueBird , P44. Hanami . It is fantastic addition for any Pen lovers. We offer it in 100+ great colors. In Order to Purchase "RANGA MODEL 9B " Pen, Kindly fill the google form. All details are included in the form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdJAqWxj_1Eb90tZGUiRg9tpkOF0kW0WOibFAXgNCENEpKEvw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 Regards, Kandan.M.P Ranga Pen Company

I won't recommend you do this, but for what it's worth, I managed to shoehorn in a Kanwrite no.8 nib on my Woodex Model 33. The pen came with a Kanwrite 5.5 nib unit threaded for JoWo, but the no.8 Kanwrite nib got in without much hassle, I don't notice any cracks in the housing, and IMO, this looks more proportioned to the grip. The pen writes flawlessly with a wet fine line, as you can see from the writings on the notebook on the backdrop. The ink for those wondering is Skylark coffee brown...👍 Have a nice day🙏

First of all: My passion for fountain pens has been with me for more than 25 years now and has therefore changed many times: from classics from Germany to the pretty colorful divas from Italy to the noble Japanese fountain pens and back again and back again. In the meantime, a small core collection has emerged, but there have been no constants throughout this time - with one exception: No matter in which collecting phase I was and where my preferred collecting area was, different models of the Kaweco Sport have been added again and again over the years. It started when I first saw such a fountain pen at Manufactum in Hamburg a good 20 years ago (black in checkerboard pattern or diagonally striped). Since then, this concept of a pocket fountain pen has not let me go and I personally still feel the Kaweco Sport as one of the greats in this segment - literally, because unlike the vast majority of other real pocket fountain pens, the mini-converter fits inside and that is simply ingeniously solved for me. Since I first came into contact with vintage fountain pens in Vienna in 2007, the desire for a Kaweco Sport in ebonite has been germinating, which I have also included here in some reviews from time to time over the years. And now suddenly - to my really big surprise - it is actually so far. When I came across the topic of Sport Ebonit the other day at in Münster while talking shop with Mr. Hille and Mr. Thoben, and there was actually news on the topic, I was very happy. And to let you share in my joy in this regard, I have made you below quite a few pictures J Actual Review: Packaging: The 140th company anniversary set comes in a cardboard box with gold embossing of the company logo and name. Wrapped in black wrapping paper, it contains the usual booklet with care instructions, a sticker, a booklet with the company history, a 10 cardboard box with cartridges in all current Kaweco ink colors, the actual fountain pen and separately the gold logo clip (personally I would have wished for an additional converter and a leather pouch). Body: This lovely piece is light... very light... my scale reads 9 grams. For comparison, the plastic version is also 9 grams, the aluminum version is 19 grams, and the brass version is 45 grams.... The other dimensions are identical to those of the other Kaweco Sports, though subjectively I have the impression that the Ebonite feels narrower in the hand and even lighter than the plastic Sport; my calipers and scales prove me wrong in this regard, though: identical weight, identical dimensions.... Material: Eboniiiiite! Wonderful! I like the material very much - generally ebonite, but also specifically this (brownish)red-black version. (I'm always tempted to say 'red ripple', but it's not a 'ripple' pattern at all, rather simply striped). It feels wonderfully warm in the hand, is excellently polished and yet not slippery, not even at 30° outside temperatures with sweaty fingers, which is why it was used for so long especially for sections (and is still sorely missed by me there today). By the way, a polite inquiry to Mr. Wunschel (Head of Marketing at Kaweco) brought to light a small overview of the material history of ebonite at Kaweco: The last Kaweco made entirely of ebonite was the Colleg #603 in 1937-45, and the Sport still had an ebonite cap in 1952-58 (the barrel was celluloid at the time ). Possibly more importantly, however, the first Kaweco Sport was also made of ebonite - in this color scheme. By the way, both the material and the production of the fountain pen are based in Germany. They are old stocks that senior boss Michael Gutberlet had stored for a suitable opportunity. In February of this year, the opportunity then apparently seemed appropriate, because there the idea of an Ebonit Sport for the 140th anniversary was born (- at this point my thanks for the effort of research to Mr. Wunschel) Nib & Feed: Standard gold plated Kaweco steel nib unit. Opinions will differ here. Those who don't like the rather dry ink flow and the comparatively small nib per se will also be bothered by this. Others would certainly have liked a gold nib for this version. Personally, I find the gold nibs from Kaweco in no way superior to the steel nibs in their writing characteristics and am therefore rather pleased with the steel version, especially since there are various hand-ground stubs here that are easily replaceable and fit the fountain pen well. I actually wouldn't have liked the surcharge for a gold nib here. In addition, the company remains pleasantly true to itself in this regard: the other special editions, such as the recent Bronze, also have the steel nib ex works. Fit & Finish: Impeccable. There's really nothing to complain about: Threads perfect, polish flawless, company and series names pin sharp, cap logo picobello. The cap - in contrast to my Sport brass - does not have an internal ring that ensures that the shaft is centered in the cap, yet the shaft has symmetrically the same amount of distance to the cap all around when the cap is screwed on. And don't worry, nothing will dry out: an inner cap to seal the nib at the top of the cap is also available in ebonite. The areas around the internal thread of the grip to the body are not polished, which provides a little more grip when screwing. I can't say if it's suitable as an eyedropper like the plastic Sport models, but if you want to try it out: be careful with Vaseline! If I remember correctly, petrolatum is not compatible with ebonite. But overall, this eyedropper thing at Kaweco is fun, especially with the transparent plastic versions, because you can keep an eye on the fill level. Price: Prices vary greatly on the web: among European suppliers, everything between roughly 280€ and 350€ is in there. As with all other fountain pens from all other manufacturers, the same applies here: One can argue about it. If I look at the current models in ebonite from other manufacturers, we are usually similar in price or above. In this respect, everyone can form their own opinion. Overall impression: I said at the beginning that I was very excited about the announcement. And the overall package fully lives up to my expectations. I especially like the details: I like the simple, contemporary and environmentally friendly paper packaging. I like that it doesn't have one blue cartridge in it, but a whole package. I especially like that it's a test pack with all the colors. I find it extremely convenient to be able to easily test through the ink assortment within the scope of delivery, without having to buy a pack of cartridges each time, only to find out that the color on the paper is quite different than the pack suggests. I like the enclosed clip, and that it's not pre-attached because it would involve scratching, which some would probably want to avoid. And most of all, I like the fountain pen: this classic and pleasant material just fits this classic fountain pen design perfectly. I would actually like to see more Ebonite special editions in the future; for example, a black version with the diagonal stripes that have still been available at Manufactum for over 20 years – but now in ebonite. Anyway, I'm looking forward to the new materials in the next few years with the Kaweco Sport series, which hasn't gotten boring for me one bit since its introduction. And now for the long-awaited pictures: (No affiliation - just a happy customer)

Here the last rejuvenation with this product, I think it is an optimal result, without any type of abrasive. The inscriptions follow of equal size of depth, at least, at first sight.

Hey guys, I have recently purchased a Ranga model 9B eyedropper ebonite pen in matte finish. However, there is a problem with it that I noticed as soon as I inked it up. The ink starts to climb from the feed into the step down where the the grip section ends and the feed starts. Then it climbs the grip section and, as time goes by, climbs higher and higher. As you can see from the photos (which are 3/4 days after inking the pen), the ink has been absorbed by most of the grip section and has created mold... How can I stop the ink from climbing the grip section? I imagine polished ebonite eydroppers don't have this problem as I am unable to find this issue anywhere. Any and all tips are appreciated! Thank you! P.S. I also wanted to share this experience for all who might be wondering about purchasing an ebonite eyedropper in matte finish to know about this problem and choose carefully.

Hello FPNers, I recently bought an ebonite flattop Duofold Senior (see attached photo). The blind cap is a bit darker than the rest of the pen, indicating that it probably isn't the one that originally came with the pen. Is it possible that the blind cap is made of Permanite rather than ebonite? How can I tell the difference? If it is made of ebonite, what's the best way to make it fade so that it matches the rest of the pen? I look forward to your feedback. Thanks. Best, John

This is a mini-review of a recent Ranga pen (don't expect a fully fledged pro review as I will mostly attempt to give you a few facts and some of my personal impressions on this pen. Thanks). The Ranga Abhimanyu is one of the latest pen model offered by Ranga pens India. As some of you may have noticed, I'm sort of addicted to Ranga fountain pens, for two main reasons, first of all because I like the craftsmanship behind them and the typical originality of a hand made pen, where each pen is practically unique, secondly because I really like ebonite as a material. The characteristics of ebonite are well known, it's a light, but resistant material, which also feels rather warm in the hand, somewhat similar to wood, and which has been used traditionally for fountain pens since a long time. India is one of those places where this material is still rather popular in the production of fountain pens among the small local manufacturers. If you do appreciated the characteristics of ebonite in a fountain pen, you will also probably know that through Ranga you have access to a very wide choice of ebonite qualities and colours (whenever I have bought a Ranga the most difficult part has practically always been choosing the colour! despite Ranga offers several other choices such as type of nibs, clip or no clip, eyedropper or converter, polished or bakul finish). It must however be said, that recently Ranga has expanded offer to several types of acrylic plastic, some of them, particularly the premium quality are really nice too. With this new pen, breaking a sort of current rule in Ranga's nomenclature for its pen models, the pen's name is not a number. Abhimanyu, from whom this pen takes its name, is the tragic hero of the ancient Indian epic poem Mahabharata, who dies at war when only 16. This inspiring name therefore symbolizes fearless heroic braveness. The Ranga Abhimanyu does seem to incarnate braveness but also ancient tradition. Just look at it. Don't you agree that these unusual (brave) but sensual curves are intimately and traditionally Indian? With the ebonite versions, the colours and patterns further add to such strong impression. In a way, I was in fact somewhat afraid that such a brave shape might not be comfortable (I know, I'm a bore on this, the step down, etc.). I was proven wrong, for which I'm glad! The length of the section and the carefully smoothed out step makes this short pen very comfortable to hold! It's length uncapped is comparable to a Pelikan M600, but the barrel is wider, the section slightly wider. It also vaguely reminds me of a Montegrappa Miya, although the section is much longer, and the bulge is moved further back. It can be posted, but I don't feel the need at all. Despite sort of being a portable pen, by Ranga's standards, on it's own it's not a small pen at all. The cap unscrew in 3/4 turn! and this is a welcome novelty for Ranga. The ebonite version shown here is an elegant premium ebonite in grey-cream, with a Bock nib and Schmidt converter. I find it very convenient to swap the nib with any other Bock nib, and I tend to prefer Bock nibs over Jowo (the other German nib option available at Ranga, besides also Indian sourced nibs) due to the slightly more bouncy behaviour of these nibs. Admittedly I was also attracted by one of the acrylic version, particularly this nice cracked mix of red, gold and dark blue, which shows some really nice reflections. Vs ebonite it's a more modern material but fascinating. Here also a close up of this nice resin. This version is Jowo threaded for a change. When buying from Ranga, since they offer this choice, I always ask them to test the nib for me, and it's not unlikely that this may have saved me from some disappointments with Bock nibs (which I have viceversa encountered when buying the stock nibs alone elsewhere...). All in all, I find this new Ranga model, which was recently also offered here in a group buy (in a really wide range of materials, and some particularly beautiful premium ebonite colours - my pink grey cream version comes from there), interestingly different from their 3, 4, 5 models range, a very well done, precise execution (even more notable in the acrylic version), a perfectly working tool out of the box, which gives pleasure in use and an extremely fascinating and good looking result. I've already reached three and I am tempted to get a 4th in ED (which was not offered so far).

Hello FPNers, I recently bought an ebonite flattop Duofold Senior (see attached photo). The blind cap is a bit darker than the rest of the pen, indicating that it probably isn't the one that originally came with the pen. Is it possible that the blind cap is made of Permanite rather than ebonite? How can I tell the difference? If it is made of ebonite, what's the best way to make it fade so that it matches the rest of the pen? I look forward to your feedback. Thanks. Best, John

I've used fountain pens for years now but didn't get "the bug" until the beginning of this year when I found this dangerous-for-my-wallet site. I started exploring and lurking heavily and discovered the world of custom pens. I read about the pens Shawn Newton was making, found about his scholarships and all those other factors that made him the right person to attempt to produce the idea I had at the time. There's a few things that I wanted in a pen: One was no clip, my pens always travel in a case and I never clip them or carry them in my pocket. Because the pen didn't have a clip I decided on the flat so the the pen wouldn't roll off the table when resting. The second one was that as a norm I find the traditional cigar shape boring. Don't get me wrong most of my pens have that shape and they're ok but I wanted something completely different to that standard. The third was that I thoroughly enjoyed the matte look of ebonite after I saw a Ken Cavers bamboo pen. The fourth thing I decided was that the pen wouldn't post. I prefer long pens that don't require posting because I've usually found that the balance changes for the worse when posting. So with those specs in mind I started drawing what I wanted in Illlustrator. The first idea I sent Shawn to see if it was even possible was this: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/Inguz72/PenDiagrams-01.png Shawn seemed amenable to the challenge, he said that he had never done a straight cylinder and he would have to figure out a way to make the flat facet which he had never done before either. He quoted me a price and told me there was time to make revisions to the pen before placing the order. I thought about other materials for the end caps, other colors of acrylic, etc. But the more I looked at it the more I wanted to something even stealthier. So I revised it to this: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/Inguz72/PenDiagrams-02.png I called it the Shinobi, which is the japanese word for Ninja because it's stealthy but it ends in a bloody surprise. I also elongated the body and the proportions so it would fit well in hand. I placed the order in February but Shawn is highly in demand. By the time my number came up he had received a new metal lathe and this was one of the first pens that came out of that lathe. His communications at this point got very detailed which was awesome because I could see progress and make slight adjustments. His first attempt had a more translucent red acrylic and although it wasn't ideal I was ok with it but then his threads for that one were a bit tight and in fixing them he ruined the cap so he asked me if there was anything I would like different so I chose a more vibrant "ferrari" red acrylic and after a week for the acrylic to arrive he started on a second pen which was almost done but the dremel ate through the pen on the flat. D'oh! Third time was the charm and he let me know the pen was done and sent me photos to show me. So here goes: Pen closed: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/Inguz72/_MG_2181Closed.jpg This is exactly what I had in mind so obviously I can't complain, it's after all the exact shape and size I asked for when I first designed the pen. The pen came well wrapped in a large USPS box. He included a lovely grey and black wrap his wife made for it that works beautifully with the pen. If you want to see the wrap he has a photo of them here. The bonus was that he sent me one of the destroyed models and his working sheet with dimensions, little sketches, measurements and details. It gave me an idea of the process and made me feel a part of it. The pen is a cylinder with a flat bottom in matte ebonite. It's extremely understated except for the thin red line where the cap meets the body. Very stealthy and smooth. Matte ebonite has a distinct, very organic and warm feel in the hand. New ebonite smells of brimstone and eggs, the smell will dissipate in a couple of week I'm told but phew! The cap takes two and a quarter turns to unscrew, quad threads would have been incredibly difficult in this pen to make the cap and the body match the facet which this one does perfectly. If it wasn't for the red line I have feeling the two parts would blend into each other seamlessly. That's the kind of precision with which he manufactured the pen. So kudos for Shawn for that as well as for the sharpness of the ends and the facet. They're all very precise and all the surfaces on the pen are smooth. The pen uncaps to a vibrant red section. http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/Inguz72/_MG_2238Open.jpg The flat rests on the web between my index and thumb finger and holding it by the section or the threads are both comfortable since the pen is long enough for either. It's a light pen since there are no metal parts except for the nib. Shawn uses the same nib units that Edison, Franklin Christop and others use. This one is vested with a steel nib in fine with the letters "NP" on it. It is perfectly dependable with no skipping or flow issues, it produces a fine smooth western line. I have a few other units including a gold medium from FC and changing the nibs units is very easy so I have multiple grades to choose from now on. Detail of flat and section: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/Inguz72/_MG_2262Detail.jpg Size comparison: http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/Inguz72/_MG_2275SizeClosed.jpg http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n200/Inguz72/_MG_2277SizeOpen.jpg From left to right MB149, Lamy 2000, Omas and Shinobi. As you can see it's a very large pen with a hefty circumference. Perfect for my hand. I hope you enjoyed my unorthodox review for an unorthodox pen. If you've ever considered having a custom pen done I recommend Shawn, he was very easy to work with and his craftsmanship is excellent. I would also recommend that you get bold with your designs the worse a pen turner can say is no.

Hello folks, One of my pleasures in using old pens, is that I can do so without calling on modern industrial activity that is making Earth inhabitable. Second-hand pen, second-hand ink, and I can write without having given a cent of encouragement or means for modern companies to produce more wares at the cost of planet hospitality. And so it would annoy me to have to buy silicone grease for my fpens. I’ve been so far relying on a single gram of the product given to me years ago, to grease my pens, but my “stock” is running out. I am looking for an alternative, ideally a non-industrial one, for the pens I own and will own, which I am resolute for them all to be retractable pens entirely made of ebonite (the why of this is another subject.) I draw your attention on the fact that I am looking for a lubricant/fluid sealant for ebonite only. I know that the generality of lubricating products are harmful to some plastics and celluloid. But what is harmful to those, is not necessarily so to ebonite. Also, I will be only greasing threads that should not be in contact with ink (the cap thread, and the barrel one.) Therefore, the interaction between the alternative lube and plastics, celluloids, sacs, or inks, is not a concern. (It might be if I want to treat the cork seal with it, but I'll think about that later.) I also point out that the point is to lubricate threads, not ensure waterthightness. I think of beef and mutton tallow, pork lard, and beeswax. Tallow is the fat extracted by melting from the fat tissues of oxen or sheep; lard, that from swine. I obtain tallow by buying fat bits of meat from a butcher, dicing these, putting them in a pot in the oven to melt (in the oven, to prevent the bottom from burning, at it happens on stovetops,) letting it melt for a while, then dumping the load in a sieve. Pure fat flows from the sieve, and then, cooling, solidifies. Tallow is preconised on the original labels of callipers for greasing those, and I use it for all rubbing (not spinning) metal parts: threads, articulations, etc. Iron-based metallic materials are not affected by contact with it, while it keeps them from corrosion; and it never stiffens (contrarily to neatsfoot oil, which I used for a while for bearings, until I discovered that that oil, by contact with metal, eventually turned to a honey-coloured and honey-textured mess.) On copper allows though, tallow seems to encourage carbonatation and the formation of greenish stuff. As for beeswax, I suppose everyone is familiar enough with it to spare discoursing on it. I use it to lubricate the sole of my hand-driven wood planes. It too helps carbonatation of copper, it seems. Member Pen Nut suggests it might be a solution. How about on ebonite? Can someone tell me, from experience, if beef or mutton or pork fat, or beeswax, are safe on ebonite, or what it does to it—before I experiment by myself and deliver here the answer which I hoped to find? And, by the way, what did they use, in the olden days, to grease ebonite threads and moving parts (which were not only present in fountain pens, I assume, but sometimes in machinery,) before they had silicone grease?

I recently spent a few hours working on my good ole' ebonite Noodlers Konrad. I hadn't used this pen for quite a while and wanted to spice things up a bit. The changes I made (and highly recommend) are as follows: 1) the "easy my flex" mod, were you grind a portion off the sides of the nib as seen in the picture. 2) I doubled the depth/width of the feed channel, which managed to eliminate almost all railroading except on very aggressive downstrokes. and 3) I reground the tip to an XXXF needlepoint. I don't know how to measure the actual degree of fineness I achieved with this grind, but ill tell you it is so sharp that I may just use it to sew some new underpants. I don't by any means consider myself an experienced nib-alter-er-er, but it wasn't too difficult to shave the sides and smooth the tip with 8000, 12000 and 16000 grit polishing sandpaper. Anyways, here are some pictures of my work (and first attempt calligraphy); please comment if you have any questions, suggestions or have tried the same thing during your nib-related adventures. Enjoy.

Review: Modified Ranga 8b This review is about my experience with a Ranga 8b fountain pen that has been my primary daily writer for about a year. I will discuss my thoughts on the pen, the experience of ordering from Ranga, and the modifications that I made to it to fit my writing needs. I won’t be assigning scores to various categories of performance; while that approach is certainly popular and useful in some contexts, I think a general discussion of my experience might be more valuable for the reader. Additionally, I won’t be discussing the stock version of the pen very much. So, if you need information on size and other specifics, one of the many other reviews of this pen is probably a better source of information. The Ranga 8b is an artisan made pen, manufactured in Thiruvallur, near Chennai / Madras India; like many high-quality pens from the region, it has been hand turned from an ebonite rod. I ordered my pen in a brushed mat black finish. I truly appreciate handmade, high-quality writing instruments that small makers like Ranga produce. Ranga is not attempting to sell a brand name nor do they really have a marketing department. They only have the promise of making well-made pen that truly fits your needs. I ordered the pen directly from their website at https://rangapens.com/ I found Ranga to be particularly responsive in their communication. After placing my order, I was contacted by the company to confirm my preferences and to give me updates about when it was being made and shipped. It took roughly a week for my pen to be manufactured, shipped and delivered to my home in California. General Thoughts on the Ranga 8b Much has been written about the Ranga 8b pen model, so my experience is not unique and probably confirms most of its positive accolades. The pen itself is beautiful and is very well finished. Most users enjoy the long, hourglass shaped section, and indeed I can confirm that it is my most comfortable pen to write with, in part because of this feature. The shape and balance of the pen in stock form is amazing, especially if you use it unposted. The pen simply feels luxurious, and when I received it, I knew that I would not have to search out a high priced “grail pen” to get what I was looking for in terms of a writing experience. My Pen and the Modifications I Made I opted to get the eyedropper model, because it gives me a lot of control in setting up the pen. I write on thick paper (Clairefontaine notebooks and HP32 inkjet paper) and I prefer pens with a generous ink flow. I also find that I much prefer ebonite feeds – they seem to be more consistent in delivering a wet line. And as a material for the pen body and section, I enjoy ebonite because it does not get slick if my hands get sweaty, and because I can make small alterations to the shape of the pen if needed. The pen came with a high quality Kanwrite nib with Ranga engraving, and a simple ebonite feed; the nib and the feed are friction fit into the section. I ordered a medium, which I use most of the time. However, I also have another Kanwrite nib that can fit this pen, which I ground down to a stubbish left oblique (the red cursive in one of the photos was written with this nib, though in another pen at the time). The first change I made to the pen was to replace the feed. The stock feed was reliable, but it was not quite providing a generous enough ink flow. After adjusting it a few times, I opted to replace it with a high quality Kanwrite 6.3mm ebonite feed from Fountain Pen Revolution. At the same time, I also opted to recess the nib, because I wanted it to be slightly shorter. I pushed the nib and feed into the section a bit further than normal, and heat set the section to this nib and feed using boiling water. In other words, I submerged the section in hot water and shaped it around the nib and feed to ensure proper fit – yet another advantage of ebonite. Afterward, I submerged just the nib and feed to heat set them to ensure proper ink flow. Thus, the nib on the pen is set further within than stock, and after heat setting (section and nib/feed), I have no issues with ink leakage. The second major change I made to the pen was to create an added taper toward the back of the pen body. In some ways, it resembles a less dramatic mid-body taper of the kind found on the Franklin Christoph Model 2 Intrinsic. The stock pen posted securely, but not deeply; it was a bit long for me. And while I enjoyed it, even while posted, I wanted to improve the balance of the pen. I used a very sharp knife to shave off material starting at about two thirds of the way towards to end of the pen. Next, I used a sanding sponge, 80 grit, to remove the marks from this process, so that the finish matched the original brushed, mat ebonite. In hindsight, I probably should have used only the sanding sponge. It was probably sufficient for the job and by using a knife I introduced flaws into the pen that you can see if you look closely. That said, this modification worked wonderfully. My pen now posts fully and deeply, and its balance is perfect for my hand. This modification meant that instead of using the pen periodically, it has become my main pen for everyday work; I barely put it down. Final Thoughts The pen is my ideal writing instrument, and certainly the most comfortable I have ever used. The only time I do not use it is when I need to write in direct sunlight, or to use thin, cheap paper, such as when I grade student work (I am a history teacher). For these tasks I use a cartridge converter pen instead of an eyedropper. Much is sometimes made of using an eyedropper pen for everyday use, and I am not sure I have much to add on the subject. I have for years used an eyedropper every day, with few if any problems, as do thousands of other people. Doing so takes some knowledge and patience, so as they say, your mileage may vary. I will be ordering another Ranga 8b pen, even if it is just to have one in reserve. This pen is by a large measure is my favorite. That said, since I prefer to post this pen, I will ask for my next one to be made with a slight taper towards the end to facilitate deep posting. I think that this ability to customize an order, combined with receiving a very high-quality product for a reasonable price, is one of the major advantages of ordering from a small artisan like Ranga. Needless to say, I am a very satisfied customer, who is just trying to spread the word. If I were to order this pen again for the first time, I would probably purchase the stock version, to see if I would prefer to use it posted or unposted. I obviously liked it enough to take the time to modify it, rather than simply buying a new pen, which I think speaks to its appeal.

I’ll start with a disclaimer that this isn’t a review. There are a plenty of reviews of the Ranga Model 3 and when they say that it’s amazing, it’s always true. In fact, one doesn’t need a review of any Ranga pen as they are known to deliver the best a writing instrument has to offer. What this is, is an appreciation letter, a pouring out one’s heart, if you will. From the first time that I held an ebonite pen, I knew it spelled trouble. It does feel warm to touch! (Word of advice is to not say this to any of your pen-muggle friends, as they’ll cast you as a someone who’s compensating for lack of human touch.) Indians my age are unlucky to have grown up with cheap plastic fountain pens, dare I say Chinese, OR heavy metal pens which feel premium only in terms of its weight; and never have experienced an ebonite pen. How lucky would I have to be, to be able to easily get my hands on spectacular ebonite pens turned by extremely skilled artisans, when there are only handful of such artisans in existence in the world today. By ease, I mean accessibility and affordability. Someone who hasn’t bought a Ranga might feel that it is expensive or not easily accessible. I also once had the same misconception. As an introvert, I avoid talking like the plague. But your fears will be allayed once you interact with Mr. M P Kandan; he’ll resolve all your doubts and you’ll soon realise that this aspect is vital for the entire operation. I tried to dip my toe in the pool of many unique designs Ranga pens had to offer by purchasing their Model 4CS. It took the detailed and compelling video from Doug Rathbun (InkquiringMinds) whose persuasion provided me with the threshold encouragement to contact Mr. Kandan on WhatsApp. I was thoroughly impressed by the pen, its feel in my hand, its finish, the detailing of the threads which are crisp and I’ll elaborate on its importance later. Anyway I was so smitten by my 4CS that when Ranga came out with a group buy for Model 4C, I immediately pounced on the opportunity and purchased that one too, this time with Jowo nib. I found ordering on the Google doc form easier and convenient. Both 4CS and 4C have a seamless rounded cylindrical design which is interesting, unique and attractive. It is futuristic and I’ve caught myself admiring them for hours. Like any one getting onboard the ebonite wagon, I too started with ASA, Gama and Click before reaching Ranga. For those on the wagon, the rubber like smell of ebonite is almost a fragrance compared to the horrific odour of the Indian plastic. Don’t get me wrong they are all excellent pens, and it may be just me, but I feel a marked difference when I hold a Ranga. All my other pens dry out or have some issue with the threading, not the Ranga despite it’s one turn execution. So anyway several pens later, I found myself awaiting a Model 3 group buy mainly for a Ranga reminiscent of a classic Duofold design. Alas all my pens had a lip of some sort at the grip section. This December 2022 when Mr. Kandan came out with a group buy for Model 3, I requested him for a grip section without a lip at the end. Mind you, I’d have purchased the Model 3 either way. But Mr. Kandan wrote back to me saying that he’ll make me a custom Model 3 with an hour glass section. This wouldn’t have been possible without a cordial two way communication and interaction between us and believe me I haven’t had such experience with any other pen manufacturer / retailer. Oh boy was I thrilled. I was exhilarated by the time I got the pen in my hand. It fits perfectly in my hands. Fountain pen enthusiasts are always looking out for a grail pen, but I think that they are looking for that ONE PEN to rule them all. And this is it folks, what people mean by Goldilocks fit, at least for me. The pictures don’t do justice to it - polished black looks very premium, but perhaps my camera isn’t able to capture its complete majesty. Please support Mr. Kandan and share my experience on other social media platforms, since I’m not on any. Hope everyone has a happy and colourful year. PS: I got a Ranga nib this time around and was pleasantly surprised that it has standard threading of a Jowo #6 nib unit. I didn’t know of it beforehand. So for anyone who’s baffled by the choices offered, this may be of some help.

Dear FPN'ers, Ranga Handmade Pens -ThanksGiving Day and Black Friday OFFER -We are running offer sale for our Most Successful Model -Abhimanyu Model along with other Ranga Models Model 5, Giant 9B, Abhimanyu Grand, Bamboo, Thin Bamboo and Giant Bamboo Model in Classic Ebonites and alluring Acrylics in more than 125 colours . We are introducing 5 New gorgeous Premium Ebonite colours P24. Black/White/Green P25. Orange Woodgrain P26. Black/White/Blue P27. Green/White/Orange Woodgrain P28. Blue/White/Grey Woodgrain We open Free Shipping option through India Post now. No Tracking .Delivery with in 3-8 weeks from Dispatch Date In Order to Purchase "RANGA ABHIMANYU " Model Pen, Kindly fill the google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd-HQvNMWpGxGoxm2Xpl_AWEgRkoQxdpNduMaQVDu4Vxafnxg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 In Order to Purchase "RANGA ABHIMANYU GRAND " Model Pen, Kindly fill the google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdaoAUSh236wSdopIJvCRS_ukeTkKhMRTY6SvJLlfsn9FtMYA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 In order to Purchase "RANGA MODEL GIANT 9B" Model Pen, Kindly fill the google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfv_WSqm7GDpQ94GKaKLLoK7WumPJY0VcnzoVPIbuKXEyTm0w/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 In order to Purchase "RANGA MODEL 5" Model Pen, Kindly fill the google form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeQtPfXpJh9XnDqbJ7M3oIDlVWzQPM0hir9T26blec3RqdZYA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 In order to Purchase "RANGA BAMBOO (GIANT/REGULAR/THIN)" Model Pen, Kindly fill the google form .All details (Pen Dimension, Colours,Price,Pictures, Nib details ,Making time, Payment details) are included in the form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0o_xxc0vrLXV27Wvp1FRvnH-qDbBVl8_1WgD50g3xb4DsyA/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 Regards, Kandan.M.P Ranga Pen Company

New Osprey Pens black chased Ebonite fountain pen Milano

This is my first Santini fountain pen and it's the one I like more till now. I'm a fountain pen lover and my favourite ones are my ebonites. They are all hand crafted by artisans. The one I introduce you now is the Santini Libra Voyager with the superflexy nib. It's a bit special because it's made with care and love by Italian craftsmen who know well their work. These are my first impressions more than a review. Appearance & Design (10) In my view, it's appearance is beautiful. The swirls among blue, turquoise, green, magenta and black in the ebonite are always very nice to watch, it's mesmerising if you turn the pen. The material is precious (rubber with sulfur, badly named as hard rubber); it's name comes from it's similarly with ebony. The design is very well thought-out. It is uncapped in one and a quarter turn. The clip is long but is very tight (too much). The section is long and very comfortable to hold and it tappers up at the end a bit preventing your fingers to meet the nib. It's gurthy enough for my liking. The Santini 18 kt gold nib (superflexy in this piece) has one advantage: you can interchange with other Santini nibs. It can be posted very securely but I do not recommend you to do it because with time you can damage the surface of the ebonite (if you like posting, do it with care). The pen is exquisitely beautiful and the workmanship is top notch. The ebonite warms to my hand and the pen is a comfortable writer. Construction & Quality (9) Outstanding construction and quality. The pen is beautifully made. Ebonite is a precious material for me. The fountain pen is handcrafted (I give a high value to pens made with experienced hands more than inyected plastic, for example). This pen is made by artisans and well engineered. The quality of the threading is outstanding. It has very comfortable long section. Perfect and beautiful cap band. The clip is very tight, it's a pity. It's the only bad detail and that's the reason to have a 9 instead of a 10. The polishing is very good and the pen is full of well made details. I remember that Da Vinci said "details make perfection and perfection is not any detail". Weight & Dimensions(10) Weight: 31g Length: 145mm. 135mm uncapped Cap length: 68mm Cap diameter: 17mm Body diameter: 15mm (max) It has a perfect balance. It is a not very lightweight nor heavy and comfortable pen. It's a gurthy pen but not too much, I feel that dimensions like the perfect ones. The grip is 11.4mm at its narrowest and is very comfortable between your fingers. It's slightly hour-glass shaped and flares out closest to the nib so your fingers won't slip. Nib & Performance (10) The nib is a Santini 18kt gold extra fine and flexy (they call it superflexy but it's really a nice and very good semi flex), so it's performance is assured. It does not require a lot of pressure to flex but it doesn't open like a wet noodle. It writes beautifully and with very good and nice line variation if you want and very good snap back. You can choose among plenty of different nibs with different sizes (it's one of the best companies if not the best in the world about offering diferent nib options) and plating. Mine has a bit of feedback (I prefer that characteristic better tgan the glassy nibs) and it's juicy, without being a gusher. The nib comes with an ebonite feeder to keep a well flow. Santini makes their nibs and I really appreciate that. I think in Italy only Aurora and Santini make their own nibs. Filling System (10) I like piston filling systems. The pen encapsulates a Schmidt piston component with a ratcheting sound that alerts you when you've filled the pen completely. It has a ink capacity around 1.1~1.2 ml. Schmidt is a well-known German quality brand and their piston component is reliable and as sturdy as a classic piston filling system. If you have any problem, Santini has a repair service that if it is like their fabulous customer support and service, I wouldn't think about that. I know you have to store the pen with care and without light and to dry it well after washing but I prefer the feeling of ebonite when you touch it and it looks beautiful. Cost & Value (10) The quality/price ratio is very good. 369 € including shipping is a fair price. But the good point is it's value, it's a fountain pen made by hand, if you take only that into account, it's real value is very high. Beside that it's made with care and love and perfectly engineered. Katrina (customer service) is so kind and professional. The way she supports and deals with you is outstanding and they send you the pen very fast. Conclusion (Score, 59/60) I feel very happy with this fountain pen. It is beautiful and very well made, with love by artisans. Very well engineered and thought-out. I am also very satisfied with their customer kindness. I think we do well to support handcrafted fountain pens. I am perhaps a bit viassed because I do love ebonite. The price is more than right if you consider the artisan work. They are all craftsmen. They also package the fountain pen beautifully. Santini does not appear to invest in marketing and I think they sell most of their products directly to the end customer. I think that their pens are of perhaps superior material and quality than the better known Italian brands. This pen will remain one of my best. I have become a fan of Santini. I would like to give my congrats to all Santini team, they are great. Best regards to everybody. Take care Miguel Ángel.

Dear FPN'ers RANGA Handmade Pens Introducing Salmon Model in Classic Ebonites Ebonites are highly beautiful and classic. This shape is beautifully crafted so that it resembles Fish design.This is Clipless pen. It is cute and sturdy . It is comfortable for both regular size pen lovers and Giant Size Pen Lovers. It caps in less than 1 turn.The section is hourglass section. It is very comfortable for writing. It is must collectible pen as well as great every day carry pen. It is eye catcher for its craftsmanship.. Ranga Salmon Model can be ordered in the below form. All Details are included in the form https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemK2CZDuNQeDVOK1pZ78bWj6WneFJQx9xWM-0lyU3GmALL1A/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 Pen Dimension: "RANGA SALMON MODEL " Pen Dimension: Capped Length :Approximately 150mm, Cap Dia - 17.5mm (17.5mm at thickest part (Head)), Barrel Dia - 17.5mm(12.5mm at thinner part (Tail), Section Dia - 12.5mm at Thickest part and 11 mm at thinnest part. Cap Turn: It takes less than 1 turn For C/C mechanism (with Schmidt K5 Converter) #6 Nib Options Price : 1. Base Price for Ranga Pens with Ranga Screw in nibs and German Converters: Premium Ebonite : 84USD Customer's can upgrade it to their favourite nibs with extra charge Making Time : 2 -3 weeks from payment date Shipping: Via Courier . It takes 4 to 9 days.Via Courier- Kindly note that courier rates are very high now. We are happy to share that we are collecting only 50% of the courier charges and rest is incurred by us . Customer's need to pay 19USD for USA/Canada, 15USD for Central Europe /Singapore/ Malaysia and country specific rates for other countries. Payment Details: Paypal id: mpkandan@gmail.com Regards, Kandan.M.P Ranga Pen Company www.rangapens.com

This isn't my first Ranga fountain pen but it's the one I like more till now. I'm a fountain pen lover and my favourite ones are my ebonites. They are all hand crafted by artisans. The one I introduce you now is the new Ranga Markandeya. It's a bit special because it's not the typical "jumbo" sized pen (I like big pens but also medium sized ones), although it's gurthy externally (not too much). It's special because it's made with care and love by Indian craftsmen who know well their work. Appearance & Design (10) In my view, it's appearance is beautiful. The swirls between teal blu and orange brown in the ebonite are always very nice to watch, it's mesmerising if you turn the pen. The material is precious (rubber with sulfur, badly named as hard rubber); it's name comes from it's similarly with ebony. The design is very well thought-out. It is uncapped in one and a quarter turn. The clip is long and springy. The section is long and old fashioned in the best way because it's very comfortable to hold and it tappers up at the end preventing your fingers to meet the nib. I like the cap meets the body with the same width and it's gurthy enough for my liking. The Jowo nib (B in this piece) has one advantage: you can interchange with other Jowo nibs I'm sure you have and, if you haven't any, it's very easy and cheap to find one. It can be posted very securely but I do not recommend you to do it because with time you can damage the surface of the ebonite (if you like posting, do it with care). Construction & Quality (9) Ebonite is a precious material for me. The fountain pen is handcrafted (I give a high value to pens made with experienced hands more than inyected plastic, for example). This pen is made by artisans and well engineered. The quality of the threading is outstanding. It has long section threading to be well eyedroppered if you prefer that system with huge ink capacity. Why I don't give a "10"? Because of the micro scratches from the lathe (almost imperceptible but they could be completely eliminated). The polishing is good but not perfect. I remember that Da Vinci said "details make perfection and perfection is not any detail". Weight & Dimensions(10) It's weight is 24 grams capped and 15 uncapped, with perfect balance. It is a lightweight and comfortable pen. It measures 134 mm capped but the good point consists of it's long enough uncapped, 122 mm, very good, well done. The nib goes close to the end of the cap. I appreciate that because you can have a long enough uncapped fountain pen without sacrificing the total length in order to get relative restrained length. It's a gurthy pen but not too much, 16 mm in the middle. It tappers down in the cap to 13,5 mm and to 12 mm in the body. I feel that dimensions like the perfect ones. Nib & Performance (9) The nib is a standard broad Jowo stainless steel one, so it's performance is assured. But you can choose a Ranga or Bock if you want, even gold or titanium with different sizes and plating. Mine is very smooth and juicy, without being a gusher. Filling System & Maintenance (9) The filling system is possible in three ways, cartridge, converter and it also can be used with eyedropper. It comes with a standard Schmidt converter. The maintenance is very simple to realise due to the converter system. I like piston filling systems and eyedropper and vacuum systems with shut off valve to avoid burping but using that kind of systems you increase the price and the maintenance is not so easy. I know you have to store the pen with care and without light and to dry it well after washing but I prefer the feeling of ebonite when you touch it and it looks beautiful. Cost & Value (10) The quality/price ratio is outstanding. In my pen 79 $ including postage (64 without it). But the good point is it's value, it's a fountain pen made by hand, if you take only that into account only, it's real value is very high. Beside that it's made with care and love and perfectly engineered. I got the pen in a group buy directly with mr. Kandan M. P. He is so kind and professional and they send you the pen very fast although I don't mind to wait if they use Indian post because it's cheaper. He has told me they are going to use this way to offer free shipping. Conclusion (Final score, 57/60) I feel very happy with this fountain pen. It is beautiful and very well made, with love by artisans. Very well engineered and thought-out. I am also very satisfied with their customer kindness. I think we do well to support handcrafted fountain pens. I am perhaps a bit viassed because I do love ebonite. The price is more than right if you consider the artisan work. They are all craftsmen. They even give you one free fountain pen. It is a modest but functional one and I really appreciate that gift because it's a nice detail and remember Da Vinci... Best regards to everybody. Take care Miguel Ángel.

Dear FPN'ers, We are introducing this new Model "RANGA SAMURAI". It is new Model. It is workhorse pen. It is compatible Model for both Regular Size Pen lovers and Oversize Pen lovers. This Model can take Bock #8 nib units. Ebonites are highly beautiful and classic. It comes with newly designed clip. This beautiful pen with newly designed clip is sturdy. The section is classic style design. We are introducing this Pen size and Section shape in our production line for first time. It caps in less than 1 turn. Please fill the below form to book your favourite Ranga "RANGA SAMURAI" Model pen. Form has all details with detailed Pictures https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSci1-U-OC7fSHeQ8gq6EOd-eXPNdz-nvYBfSZpf_5hPqWUM4Q/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0 This offer is Valid till 31st July-22 Capped Length - Approximately 6 Inches. Cap Dia - 17.5mm, Barrel Dia - 16mm, Section Dia - 12.6mm at Thickest part and 11.2 mm at thinnest part. Making Time : 2 weeks Price: Base Price for Ranga Pens with Ranga Screw in nibs and German Converters: Premium Ebonite :84USD You can upgrade it to plenty of nib choices with extra charge Shipping charges: Through Courier (Quicker delivery-4 to 9 days) .USA : 19USD, Central Europe : 15USD, Singapore/ Malaysia: 15USD. Rest of the world: It varies from country to country from 10USD -19USD. Kindly note that Shipping charges are very high, we bear the 50% of shipping charge and collecting the rest from customers. (Charges published above) Payment: Paypal id mpkandan@gmail.com Regards, Kandan.M.P Ranga Pen Company www.rangapens.com