A Dip Pen With A Difference

[disillusion]

 

Pleasure. The serwex will work, as a dip option. I tried using it as a fountain pen with a Gillot nib and did not get the flow.

If you are using a feed with the nib, don't use gum arabic. The feed controls the cheap ink very well.

 

I got Gum Arabic in a liquid form, but the powder will also work. just add a little water to make it like a paste and add it to the ink and stir it up. LOT's of people in the forum have said DO NOT Shake, stir an ink mixture.

 

I saw that version of the pen and I am not very sure if it is customised as such. But to be certain, I sent him a G nib and asked him to ensure it fits. He may have done some minor sanding or adjusting.

 

Compared to the Serwex, ( I have the pink one which came free with some purchases I made) The Ranga feed is longer, but the dia is about the same.

 

 

 

The Longer one is the Ranga feed

 

 

 

I tried the Gillot 303 with the Serwex 101 today. Results indeed! The feed definitely helps regulate the flow and seems to hold a lot of ink. I only dipped three times writing the B5 page below, whereas before with my basic Speedball oblique holder I would have not been able to finish a single word without dipping.

 

(Please forgive the poor photo quality)

 

Now a custom dip pen with a feed from Ranga is definitely on my "to get" list, when I have tried some more flexy nibs.

Thank you for the review!

[prasadvenkat]

Beautiful writing disillusion

Hope to get to that level soon

If the Serwex works as is, then you will have a lot more ink than the dip.

Though of course the Ebonite pen look gorgeous

[disillusion]

Thanks. It was actually the first time I finished a page without filling it completely with ink blobs and horribly feathered lines due to the excessive ink. Your post have been really helpful for me so allow me to say thank you again

Your handwriting is great, definitely better than mine when I try to write smaller with the Gillott 303. While I was frustrated with the dip nib, I "practiced" a lot with a Noodler's Ahab and Serwex 162 with FPR flex nib, and that experience sort of translated well (apart from upstrokes) to this experiment.

 

I am quite sure I want a custom dip pen from Ranga some time in the future, I just need to experiment with more nibs first. The question is - which finish to choose? They are all beautiful.

[wetnoodlepens]

Does anyone know how this compares to an Ackerman pump pen?

[prasadvenkat]

Does anyone know how this compares to an Ackerman pump pen?

Hi wetnoodlepens,

 

I have not used an Ackerman, but I have read about it and seen the reviews on here. Ackerman is basically a fountain pen. The barrel has ink in it and you can fit out different fronts to the pen depending on the type of nib you want. (Please correct me, anyone who has used the pen)

 

This is just a normal dip pen. It does not really compare to the Ackerman as that is a proper fountain pen with the facility to take dip pen nibs. This one is the same as any Straight nib holder. The only difference is that an ebonite feed from a fountain pen has been added to it.

 

I did this because

1) I wanted to use regular fountain pen inks with my dip pens. The ink is very thin and does not stay long on a regular dip. Additionally the feed regulated the flow.

2) Wanted to try different nib options and see if they will write well with a feed (worked so far with a G nib, Gillot 303 and Gillot 404)

3) Cost factor. The Ackerman pen cost about $30 plus another $12 each for different nib holders. This is about $18 on his Ebay site (and I think that includes the shipping)

4) I love the look of this dip pen on my desk

 

Again I have not used an Ackerman and others who have experience with it would be in a better position to tell you how it writes.

 

This pen just writes the same as a regular dip pen, but with a lot more ink reserve and the ability to use regular fountain pen ink. The Ackerman, would of course allow you to use fountain pen ink and have a much much larger capacity of ink to write with.

 

 

Also, you may have already read this posts by PrestoTenebroso about a pen he is developing (no affiliation)

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/263587-poll-win-one-of-7-new-high-performance-flex-pens/

 

I found that very interesting too.

 

hope this helps

[crbrown]

Interesting, I would definitely consider something like this.

[Ipsum_Dolor]

Great looking pen and very interesting. Does the feed help regulate ink flow or is it just there to hold more ink? I am trying to learn copperplate with a Gillot 303 and am always getting these blobs of ink at the slightest increase of pressure. Having to dip every word isn't helping either

Hi, Calligraphy tard here.

 

Before nibs leave the factory, they are covered in a fine layer of oil to protect them from rust. This oil ends up being the bane of many new calligraphers, as it disallows ink to be held in the nib properly. This directly causes the blotting you're describing.

 

Fortunately, the oil can be removed easily. The traditional way, as done by penmen of old, would be to pop it in your mouth and gently scrub your tongue on the nib for a few minutes. Other methods include Windex + Paper towel, Toothpaste + Cotton swab or running it over a flame for a few seconds (Don't cook it!).

 

More info here

 

Good luck in your future endeavors.

Edited May 9, 2014 by Ipsum_Dolor

[disillusion]

Hi, Calligraphy tard here.

 

Before nibs leave the factory, they are covered in a fine layer of oil to protect them from rust. This oil ends up being the bane of many new calligraphers, as it disallows ink to be held in the nib properly. This directly causes the blotting you're describing.

 

Fortunately, the oil can be removed easily. The traditional way, as done by penmen of old, would be to pop it in your mouth and gently scrub your tongue on the nib for a few minutes. Other methods include Windex + Paper towel, Toothpaste + Cotton swab or running it over a flame for a few seconds (Don't cook it!).

 

More info here

 

Good luck in your future endeavors.

Thank you! I will do that to my new nibs, which I should really order soon.

[WDP4BAAZ]

Thanks for great review .. and outstanding handwriting of course..

[prasadvenkat]

Thanks for great review .. and outstanding handwriting of course..

Hello WD,

thanks and nice to see another person on here from Pune. I live in Pune too.

[Inky Tom]

Hi Prasadvenkat,

I would so love to own a Ranga pen. How do I go about it?

[prasadvenkat]

Hi Inky Tom,

 

You can check out his full range of pens over here

 

You can contact him through this forum itself, he is a member - mpkandan

 

Send him a message which what you want and he is very prompt and service is just superb.

 

His email is mpkandan@yahoo.co.in

[Inky Tom]

Thank you Prasadvenkat. I'll get in touch with him.

[PrestoTenebroso]

Hi wetnoodlepens,

 

I have not used an Ackerman, but I have read about it and seen the reviews on here. Ackerman is basically a fountain pen. The barrel has ink in it and you can fit out different fronts to the pen depending on the type of nib you want. (Please correct me, anyone who has used the pen)

 

This is just a normal dip pen. It does not really compare to the Ackerman as that is a proper fountain pen with the facility to take dip pen nibs. This one is the same as any Straight nib holder. The only difference is that an ebonite feed from a fountain pen has been added to it.

 

I did this because

1) I wanted to use regular fountain pen inks with my dip pens. The ink is very thin and does not stay long on a regular dip. Additionally the feed regulated the flow.

2) Wanted to try different nib options and see if they will write well with a feed (worked so far with a G nib, Gillot 303 and Gillot 404)

3) Cost factor. The Ackerman pen cost about $30 plus another $12 each for different nib holders. This is about $18 on his Ebay site (and I think that includes the shipping)

4) I love the look of this dip pen on my desk

 

Again I have not used an Ackerman and others who have experience with it would be in a better position to tell you how it writes.

 

This pen just writes the same as a regular dip pen, but with a lot more ink reserve and the ability to use regular fountain pen ink. The Ackerman, would of course allow you to use fountain pen ink and have a much much larger capacity of ink to write with.

 

 

Also, you may have already read this posts by PrestoTenebroso about a pen he is developing (no affiliation)

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/263587-poll-win-one-of-7-new-high-performance-flex-pens/

 

I found that very interesting too.

 

hope this helps

Hey Prasadvenkat, thanks for the shout out. I do make such a thing if anyone wants to give it a try.

[BookCat]

Sorry for digging up this old thread. Please could someone tell me if the unmodified Ranga ebonite dip pen also take a Nikko G? I have just ordered one of the pens from ebay and would really like to put a pointed calligraphy nib in it.

Edited January 9, 2015 by BookCat

[prasadvenkat]

Sorry for digging up this old thread. Please could someone tell me if the unmodified Ranga ebonite dip pen also take a Nikko G? I have just ordered one of the pens from ebay and would really like to put a pointed calligraphy nib in it.

HI Book Cat,

It does take the Nikko G. Since the Ebonite feed is hand made, each feed is slightly different. At the most, you may have to heat set the feed to the nib.

 

Heat the feed, either with a flame (very carefully, as ebonite burns fast) or dip it in boiling water to soften the feed. Then press it into the nib till it cools and takes the shape of the nib. Being ebonite, this can be done multiple times with no problem.

Also, if you want a wetter writing, just widen the ink channels on the top if the nib slightly with an Exacto blade.

 

I use the dip pen as is with a Tachikawa nib

 

-Prasad

[BookCat]

Thank you for the reply.

 

Looks like this little pen will make a great writing tool, I can't wait for it to arrive. Isn't the customer service great, I'm impressed and I don't have the pen yet.