Ranga Duofold – A Review (And Comparison)

[Jamerelbe]

This review is part 2 of a (mini) series – and will inevitably involve some comparisons to its predecessor. As I explained in the previous review (https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/index.php/topic/267153-the-ranga-cruiser-a-review/), I received the Ranga Cruiser from Kevin at www.justwrite.com.au, free in return for an impartial review. The Cruiser is a really nice little pen – but it sparked my interest in its ‘big brother’, the Duofold. So I purchased the latter at my own expense – and am pleased to be able to review it for the Fountain Pen Network community.

 

Like its ‘little brother’, the Ranga Duofold is an impressive work of craftsmanship, immaculately designed and finished – unfortunately, what both pens also share in common is that they’re let down by a nib that has not been manufactured to the same high standard. Even so, I like the design (and execution) of the pen body so much that I’m happy to see the nib’s shortcomings as a challenge to be overcome, rather than a reason to avoid this pen. Despite the price tag (I paid AU$54.95, or roughly US$50 for it), I’m glad I took the plunge on it.

 

http://i.imgur.com/gemsZix.jpg

[From top to bottom (for size comparison): the Ranga Duofold; a TWSBI Diamond 580; and the Ranga Cruiser]

 

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1. Appearance & Design (9.5/10) – What can I say? It looks great!

I think I can honestly say there’s nothing I don’t like about this pen. Unlike the curves and contours of the Cruiser, the Duofold is all straight lines, with a squared off top and bottom. I went for the ‘dark brown’ ebonite (it was also available in light brown or green). I love the brown-and-black swirls, and the high gloss finish. The clip, though a little on the short side (it starts almost 10mm from the top of the pen) is well-executed, a bright gold colour – while the nib is an attractive duotone.

http://i.imgur.com/vA5aXqT.jpg

…

2. Construction & Quality (9.5/10) – Absolutely Immaculate

Once again, everything about this pen (especially the ebonite cap, barrel and grip section) testifies to the loving care and precision with which the Ranga pen company manufacture their pens. The fit and finish is immaculate, the cap and barrel threads well-executed.

http://i.imgur.com/GY7s3xs.jpg

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3. Weight & Dimensions (10/10) – A magnificent monster of a pen

This really is a monster of a pen – 150mm capped, 129 uncapped (forget about trying to post it). Weighing in 25.5g, it’s not a heavy pen – but I like the greater ‘heft’, relative to the Cruiser. What stands out to me, though, is the girth of the pen – the barrel diameter around 14mm, the cap diameter around 16mm, while the grip section (from above the cap threads) tapers gradually from a mximum of 12.5mm down to 11mm before flaring out at the base of the nib and feed. I love the way it sits in my hand – massive (comparatively) yet lightweight. Once again, my fingers tend to hold the pen in the vicinity of the cap threads – no problem, they’re well-machined and comfortable to hold.

http://i.imgur.com/Sz2bbhc.jpg

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4. Nib & Performance (6/10) – The one thing that lets this pen down – badly!

Here unfortunately is where the Duofold falls down: I like the look of the nib, but not the feel of it. The duotone colouring is a nice touch – but I wish more attention had been paid to the tip! Knowing my preference for finer nibs (the Duofold is supposed to be a Medium), Kevin had kindly included a replacement fine nib and a spare feed with the pen – for which I had reason to be grateful. As with the Cruiser, the nib and feed were misaligned – but removing them to realign was far from straightforward. The amount of force required to pull them out was enough to damage the feed.

http://i.imgur.com/kBeGkkN.jpg

I decided to try and re-seat the original nib (with the replacement feed) first. With a barrel full of Noodler’s Purple Heart, it laid down a fine line and was pretty ‘scratchy’, even on Rhodia paper. But the ‘fine’ replacement nib was worse! So I reinstalled the original nib (again), and spent some time trying to align the tines with the aid of a loupe. Still a bit scratchy on the paper, but it was now bearable – and over the next few writing sessions, it settled down further. There’s still a fair bit of ‘feedback’, but it’s no longer an unpleasant writing experience. If I can find a suitable replacement nib (it’s too big for a standard #5, too small for a #6!), I might swap it in – in the meantime, I’ll see what I can do with some fine-grit micromesh.

http://i.imgur.com/DPq4drP.jpg

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5. Filling System & Maintenance (8/10) – A well-executed eyedropper filler

The Duofold and Cruiser both rely on an eyedropper filling ‘system’ – fill the barrel with ink, screw on the grip section, and away you go! I found the Duofold had a capacity of roughly 2.5 mL (compared with 1.5 mL for the Cruiser) – that’s a fair bit of writing time, especially given the (extra?) fine line the nib lays down. Both pens have tight tolerances on the barrel threads – and a fair bit of overlap between grip section and barrel means plenty of threads to help minimise the likelihood of leakage. I’m impressed by how well finished the interior of the pen is – even though it’s tucked out of sight between refills.

http://i.imgur.com/Yf42rQ2.jpg

I wanted to give the pen a 9 or 10 out of 10 for this section – and if the only consideration here were the filling system, I might have: it’s dead simple, but superbly executed. My concern is with maintenance – the nib and ebonite feed are really firmly wedged into the grip section, and require a fair bit of force to remove and to fit back in. That may settle down over time – but I really don’t want to damage another feed! Hence the more modest total of 8/10…

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6. Cost & Value (9.5/10) – Was it worth it? Absolutely!

The nib is a real problem in this pen – but the fit and finish of the ebonite body is, I think, deserving of the price tag. I have no regrets about buying it – even if the nib that ‘inhabits’ it is a little regrettable!

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7. Conclusion (Final score [sUM/6]: 8.75)

I think it should be obvious by now that, nib problems notwithstanding, I really really like this pen. Sure, I’m going to have to keep working on the nib; and sure, you’d hope they would give more attention to the nib (the pointy end of the project, in more ways than one!), especially given the superb quality of the pen body. I understand that Ranga do supply pens with better quality nibs to other suppliers (and for custom orders?) – and I’d like to think that if they keep getting the kind of feedback I’m giving here, they’ll think seriously about lifting their game in this area. In the meantime, though, I’m happy to see this pen as a worthwhile investment, and as a project to work on – to see if I can get the nib on this pen to a point where its performance is befitting the body it inhabits!

…

 

[Mardi13]

Interesting, thanks for this review. I got one of the Ranga Bamboo pens recently (bright yellow/green/aqua ebonite, LOVE) and had basically the same experience with the nib, except I never tried to remove it. I have futzed around with it a fair amount but am still only moderately happy with it, and it is incredibly finicky about paper, it hates my Moleskine scribble books which are OK for practice with all of my other pens. The rest of the pen is very nice, my only quality quibble is that the threads on both the cap/barrel and the section are a bit squeaky, not totally smooth screwing in. Initially I had a bit of trouble getting it to work well as an eyedropper and put the converter in, but plan to make another attempt with the eyedropper fill.

 

I'd be interested in hearing about your nib adventures with this pen.

[mhguda]

I'm surprised your experience with this nib is so lacking. It looks like a Genius nib, which I have in numerous pens, and in everyone the nib has been wonderful: smooth, usually wet, and usually well-alingned; if it was not, the alignment was easy to do.

But if it's such a difficult nib for you, maybe you can try to replace it. I think a Noodler's nib in the same size (the bigger one that sits in the Ahab or Konrad) might serve you better. Good luck, I hope it works out in the end...

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks for the feedback - I'm not surprised to hear that others' experiences with this nib have differed. What WOULD surprise me is if the Ranga company were CONSISTENTLY pumping out pens with horrible nibs. And this nib was not terrible, just not up to standard. The spare nib provided, a Waite, truly was awful though. Will try to report back and provide an update on progress with the nib - appreciate the interest!

[Snargle]

I've had a Ranga Duofold for about a year (the Green Ripple Ebonite) and have had similar experiences as the original poster. It was purchased via eBay directly from Ranga. Out of the box, the nib was very scratchy and was misaligned on the feed. Much like the OP, I tried to pull the nib to realign it and ended up damaging the feed. I also received a spare feed with the pen (this must be a common occurrence!) so I replaced the feed and swapped the original nib with a Broad Réden nib. It's now superb! The broad nib glides smoothly across the paper, the feed has no trouble keeping up with the flow, and it feels and looks great. I've had no issues with any ink burping or other problems common with eyedropper fillers. I have no regrets with this purchase, but I would advise anyone buying one to be aware that the nib is likely not to be to the same standards as the rest of the pen.

 

Another option is the modified Ranga Duofold sold by Peyton Street Pens (their "Model 3"). They install a German (Jowo) screw-in nib/feed unit and equip it with an International cartridge/converter. Of course, with that setup, you lose the huge ink capacity of the eyedropper filler version. You also pay a substantial premium for the modified Ranga.

[Jamerelbe]

I don't think you can fit a standard Jowo nib without modifying (remachining) the housing to accommodate it. So unless you want to pay a premium for a pre-modded pen, I think you're right - it's a matter of being prepared to work on the nib yourself.

[terim]

The Ranga pens with JoWo nibs can still be used at eyedroppers if you remove the converter. The barrel to section threads were designed for the original eyedropper set up, so all you need is the silicone grease.

 

Since the major gripe about these in their original Ranga-supplied configuration has always been the nib, I really encourage you to try a vintage nib, though you may also want to swap out the feed. We've had great results with Sheaffer Lifetime nibs from the 1930s, as well as Waterman flex nibs from the 1940s .... Both are just about big enough not to look weird on the big Ranga models.

 

Teri

[Jamerelbe]

Hi Teri, thanks for the suggestion - will keep an eye open for old and/or new alternatives to the original nib. I spent a frustrating couple of hours tonight trying to sort out the original nib, but no joy: with the limited range of options available to me (I'm no nibmeister!) I couldn't get the tips of the tines to separate, they were jammed tightly together. In the end I swapped in the Wality nib, which proved much more responsive to my brass sheet flossing and light micromeshing - I now have a much better flow of ink, and a much smoother writing experience. I much preferred the look of the original doutone nib (the finish was more appealing) - but what's the point if it won't write as it should? The Wality nib will do me for now... But will keep an eye open.

 

Teri, since your store sells the the JoWo nib version can I ask you:am I right in thinking that the pen has been custom-modified to accept a different sized nib and feed? I just can't see a #6 size fitting (I have a few Goulet nibs) - and I'm pretty sure a #5 would be too small...

Edited May 24, 2014 by Jamerelbe

[terim]

Yes, the section was made especially to accept the whole JoWo screw in nib unit. It's completely open on the back end to allow access for the converter.

[stephenchin]

hey Teri: what other vintage nibs will fit the Jowo feed and converter set up?

[terim]

We haven't tried vintage nibs with the JoWo housing. The feeds are so huge it would take a very big nib to cover it, and we really feel that hard-to-find vintage nibs should be left for eventual usage on the correct vintage model.

 

TERI

[nakiana]

I have two of these. One was purchased direct from Ranga and the other was purchased from Peyton Street Pens with the JoWo nib. I did not care for the nib on the pen I purchased direct, but was able to get it smoothed out enough that it is pleasant to write with. I thought I'd really like the eyedropper version because of the exceptional capacity, but since mine burps when the ink drops to a certain level (which I understand is normal for eyedroppers), I feel like the usable capacity is quite a bit lower than the advertised capacity, so it isn't as much of an advantage as I would have thought.

 

The Peyton Street JoWo version resolved the concerns I had with the direct purchase. They only thing that made me pause was that I knew I could get the eyedropper version for a fair bit less, but I knew that I would be getting a pen I would not have been satisfied with. I asked myself "What would I be willing to pay for a quality hand-turned ebonite pen with a JoWo nib and feed?" with whatever nib size I wanted, as opposed to the factory single size nib, and decided it was actually a pretty good deal.

 

Like the reviewer, this is a pen I really like. It certainly merits a look from folks who like a larger pen.

[TSherbs]

burps

 

substandard nib

 

opaque eyedropper

 

 

I don't see what you see in this pen, but all power to you!

[SteveE]

The pen, with the JoWo nib/feed assembly, is a joy to use. So much so, that I have three of them, all purchased from Peyton Street Pens. I love the vintage DuoFolds and have several, as well as the modern DuoFold, and several of the Bexley's that are tributes to the DuoFold.

 

I have no affiliation to Peyton Street Pens, but I can say that I really like the Ranga #3 with the JoWo nib assemblies. If I tire of the specific nib I ordered in any of the pens, I can just dip into the box of spares and change out the nib for whatever I feel like that day. It works for me. . .

[bfg]

I haver a number of Ranga pens including the Cruiser and the Duofold. Peyton Street sells the Cruiser with a flex Wahl nib. I think that is a pretty clear statement about Indian nibs. I replaced the original nibs on two of the Rangas with Goulet #6 nibs and they fit perfectly and made the pens great writers. As the feeds are ebonite it is easy to fit the nib and feed by dipping them together in very hot water for a minute or so. I also fit an old Waterman flex nib on a torpedo shaped Ranga. With a good nib these pens are excellent. The ebonite comes in a remarkable range of colors. The pens are mostly large but light. I like that combination because I enjoy the fit and control of a big pen but I find a light pen is more expressive.

[Jamerelbe]

I haver a number of Ranga pens including the Cruiser and the Duofold. Peyton Street sells the Cruiser with a flex Wahl nib. I think that is a pretty clear statement about Indian nibs. I replaced the original nibs on two of the Rangas with Goulet #6 nibs and they fit perfectly and made the pens great writers. As the feeds are ebonite it is easy to fit the nib and feed by dipping them together in very hot water for a minute or so. I also fit an old Waterman flex nib on a torpedo shaped Ranga. With a good nib these pens are excellent. The ebonite comes in a remarkable range of colors. The pens are mostly large but light. I like that combination because I enjoy the fit and control of a big pen but I find a light pen is more expressive.

 

Thanks for the advice - I'd been reluctant to try a Goulet #6 nib in the Duofold because I thought it would be way too big, but actually it looks like it will wrap around the feed OK. It's a LOT longer than the original nib, though, so I'll have to wedge it much further down into the the section (if I can get it to fit). So maybe I'll give it a go...

 

A quick question for you, though, before I try get too carried away: as far as you can tell, is the hole that fits the nib and feed perfectly spherical, or is it slightly 'shaped' to allow the nib to fit in a particular orientation? I've looked a couple of times (swapping in the replacement Wality nib), but I really couldn't tell.

 

It really is a shame about the nibs that come with these pens - the bodies are so expertly crafted, they look great and feel so comfortable to hold. You just find yourself wishing they weren't so cavalier about the one thing that (more than anything else) is make-or-break on a fountain pen...

[Mardi13]

This is all making me think of trying to replace the nib on mine. Off to research nibs at Goulet...

[Jamerelbe]

This is all making me think of trying to replace the nib on mine. Off to research nibs at Goulet...

You really can't go far wrong with a Goulet nib - they're wonderful writers in any pen. Will have to confirm for myself that this will work in the Duofold, though, before I recommend it to anyone else: the nib and feed are a VERY tight fit in the section, and I'm pretty sure the Goulet nibs will be made of thicker material than the original. Will try this out in the next couple of days and report back!

[Jamerelbe]

Success! Last night I pulled out the Wality nib (and the feed) from my Duofold, and swapped in a Goulet #6 fine nib - doing a bit of a 'heat set' along the way, just to be safe! - and this morning I inked it up. I wasn't able to ram the feed all the way back into the barrel, but far enough - the size marking on the nib (the letter 'F') is only about a millimetre from the grip section. A much more satisfactory writing experience - so I'm really pleased.

 

Just as an aside: the reason I thought the #6 nibs wouldn't fit was that I'd checked the feed against a Jinhao x750 nib - and the latter seemed to large. I've since realised that my x750s come in two different sizes - the nib and feed being bigger (effectively a #6.5, i.e. a 6.5mm diameter feed). That also explains why I've had more trouble fitting the Goulet nibs into some of these pens - they're just a little on the small side, relative to the nibs. Anyway, to cut a long story short, Goulet plus Ranga Duofold means an additional US$15 outlay (plus postage) - but a much more pleasant writing experience.

 

Pictures (please excuse the focussing issues - I did this in a hurry!):

 

http://i.imgur.com/ftQ0vbX.jpghttp://i.imgur.com/ax3EH7P.jpg

[TSherbs]

Awesome. I may need to get one of these two-tone nibs. Just wish they were a bit less $.