Ranga Duofold – A Review (And Comparison)

[Jamerelbe]

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

Me too, but for a Jowo nib that's a pretty good price - I don't know of anywhere that you can get them cheaper! Fountain Pen Revolution are apparently in the process of developing a duotone #5 nib that (I think) would fit in the Ranga Cruiser - I've found their straight stainless steel nibs consistently good. Not quite up to the standard of a Jowo nib to be sure, but amazing value for $3-7 a pop.

[hari317]

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

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Success! Last night I pulled out the Wality nib (and the feed) from my Duofold, and swapped in a Goulet #6 fine nib

Hi, Well done on the swap, congrats! I just wanted to inform that the original nib that is pictured is NOT a Wality nib. Every WALITY nib is clearly marked WALITY or AIRMAIL.

 

HTH.

Edited June 3, 2014 by hari317

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks Hari, of course you're right: I had already swapped out the original nib (the duotone in the photos) for a 'mono-tone' gold-coloured Wality nib supplied to me as a spare. Given my problems with the original nib, and the original feed (which I broke trying to remove it), the good folks at JustWrite sent me a second replacement nib and feed (another Wality) - but unless I run into trouble with the Goulet nib, I'm planning to hold those in reserve.

Edited June 3, 2014 by Jamerelbe

[hari317]

Nathanael Hari, of course you're right:I had already swapped out the original nib (the duotone in the photos) for a 'mono-tone' gold-coloured Wality nib supplied to me as a spare. Given my problems with the original nib, and the original feed (which I broke trying to remove it), the good folks at JustWrite sent me a second replacement nib and feed (another Wality) - but unless I run into trouble with the Goulet nib, I'm planning to hold those in reserve.

i think you are safe, the goulet nib should serve you long and well. I have been using JoWo nibs myself and find them quite acceptable for the cost.

[Jamerelbe]

i think you are safe, the goulet nib should serve you long and well. I have been using JoWo nibs myself and find them quite acceptable for the cost.

 

Thanks Hari, I'm pleased to say that 24+ hours on the nib is still going strong. Actually, my concern wasn't the nib itself - it was the question of whether I might develop a 'burping' problem, if the nib and feed weren't perfectly securely wedged into the grip section . But so far so good - finally the nib provides the writing experience you'd want from a pen that's been so lovingly manufactured...

[Jamerelbe]

Just waiting now for Fountain Pen Revolution to bring out their duotone #5 nibs, so I can fit one into the Cruiser - though I have to say, the Fellowship nib that came with the pen is not a bad nib.

[hari317]

 

Thanks Hari, I'm pleased to say that 24+ hours on the nib is still going strong. Actually, my concern wasn't the nib itself - it was the question of whether I might develop a 'burping' problem, if the nib and feed weren't perfectly securely wedged into the grip section . But so far so good - finally the nib provides the writing experience you'd want from a pen that's been so lovingly manufactured...

That problem will usually manifest at low ink levels, do report back with the results when the ink level falls down.

[hari317]

Just waiting now for Fountain Pen Revolution to bring out their duotone #5 nibs, so I can fit one into the Cruiser - though I have to say, the Fellowship nib that came with the pen is not a bad nib.

FWIW, asapens.in/eshop also based out of India, have a selection of spare nibs that will directly fit into your pen. HTH.

[Jamerelbe]

That problem will usually manifest at low ink levels, do report back with the results when the ink level falls down.

 

I really meant 'leaking' rather than 'burping' - as in, the danger of there being a leak around the nib and feed that allows ink to drip through if the new nib didn't fit properly. My apologies for not being clearer - really appreciate the feedback though!

[Jamerelbe]

A quick update on this pen with the Goulet #6 nib installed. I've now run the pen almost dry (too many pens inked up, it took a long time!), and have topped it back up with Waterman Serenity Blue ink. The Goulet nib continues to provide a wonderful writing experience, with none of the leakage or excessively wet flow I feared I would encounter if the nib didn't quite 'fit'. No problems with burping, though the flow did become a little excessive as the pen approached the empty mark - so clearly that'll be something to watch for.

 

I notice Ranga (or one of their American distributors) is now supplying the pen with screw-in nib assemblies made by a German manufacturer (JoWo I think - or was it Bock?) - and for me, that remains the one risk factor with the pen as originally manufactured and purchased by me: the included nib was scratchy and dry. With a good nib on board, this pen is amazing to write with AND a beautiful pen to look at - so for the extra US$15 (plus postage), I'd recommend picking up a better quality nib and giving this pen a go.

[Mardi13]

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!

I never tried to replace the nib in my first bamboo pen - after a fair bit of fussing about I got it to a decent smoothness. This was one of the old Wality nibs. I would love to be able to swap that one out for something, possibly a vintage nib... I managed, amazingly, to squeeeeeze a Goulet nib into my Big Monster pen (the biggest oversize one that is only set up to be an eyedropper) and after a fair bit of fussing that one is writing pretty well too. It was a VERY tight fit and I had to adjust the nib to the feed somewhat. A total jerryrig and possibly stupid thing to try but it seems to be working (and I managed not to break anything.) I also have the Ranga duofold in green ripple that I got from PSP, ditto a black bamboo, both of them came with the new converter and Jowo nibs, and I am very happy with them. I really love the Ranga pens and confess that at these prices it's possible to go a bit crazy. I have my eye on the Soquel now...

 

I am assuming that on the new ones with the Jowo units, one could swap in a Binderized Edison nib?

[Jamerelbe]

@Mardi13, Thanks for describing your experience - I was likewise nervous about whether the Goulet nib would work, given the extremely tight fit between nib, feed and grip section, even with the original nib. In fact, I knocked a couple of fins off the original feed, trying to get it out in the first place. Thankfully I'd been supplied with a spare, and with a bit more care was able to swap nibs in and out a couple of times before settling on the Goulet nib.

 

Would be pleased to hear how you go if you try something similar - I've hesitated to recommend doing this as I only have my own experience to go on, and may just have gotten lucky.

 

Re the new pens with screw-in assemblies, I've never laid hands on one, but I imagine a #6 Edison nib would fit (not sure about the whole nib assembly), as they're designed to take Bock or JoWo nibs. Worth asking the manufacturer or supplier, though!

[Mardi13]

Inspired by this discussion I went and swapped out the Wality nib in my bamboo pen for an Edison #6 nib. I pulled the nib out of the screw in feed assembly to do it (I had a couple of spares so thought, WTH) and then actually I um, sanded down the feed that came with the bamboo pen to make a bit more room for the larger nib. I used 2000 grit sandpaper and kept trying it for size until I could get it in, only working on the side opposite the feed channel. I also dug out the converter that came with the pen and put that back in, to try to avoid the leaking and burping issues. I really don't need the huge ink capacity of the pen as an eyedropper and am fine using the converter. So far it seems to be working, but time will tell. Another total leap off a cliff improvisation!

[Jamerelbe]

Woah, you're a fair bit braver than I am ( ) - I just rammed the Goulet nib into my Duofold with the feed as-is and hoped for the best. It probably sits out a little further than it's designed to, but 3 months on no problems with leaking, so... I think I'm going to leave well enough alone - at least for now! I admire your sense of adventure, though - so maybe down the track I'll have another go at getting the nib in as deep as I'd like it.

[Bjeweled]

If I get the Ranga #3 with a Jowo nib with screw in feeder, can I replace the nib with a number six Goulet nib? I would also still like to use the pen as an eyedropper but wanted the upgrade of the Jowo nib and couldn't get that without the screw in feeder to use with a converter. I am new to fountain pen purchasing . I have read that ebonite and the large section of the duofold would be compatible with my arthritis/nerve damage in my hand. Because the section/grip is fairly large I thought this might help in eliminating the cramping feeling that I feel with pens like the Safari and Pilot Metropolitan. Does anyone have any advice before I order this pen? Does anyone have any advice on the kinds of pens one should purchase which are good for people with arthritis? I know there are many threads on the network about arthritis but most of the pens that are recommended are quite expensive. The most expensive pen I have is the Pilot 3776 and its section is a bit narrow for me.

I wonder if there is any silicone sleeve that would fit over the section of narrow pens making it easier for people to grip the section. You find that kind of silicone on Dr. grip ballpoint pens- I wonder why they don't make it for fountain pens?

[visvamitra]

Nice one. I would consider one in yellow ebonite

[FrozenLand]

Quite an interesting creation, but the name is unforgivable

[Jamerelbe]

If I get the Ranga #3 with a Jowo nib with screw in feeder, can I replace the nib with a number six Goulet nib? I would also still like to use the pen as an eyedropper but wanted the upgrade of the Jowo nib and couldn't get that without the screw in feeder to use with a converter. I am new to fountain pen purchasing . I have read that ebonite and the large section of the duofold would be compatible with my arthritis/nerve damage in my hand. Because the section/grip is fairly large I thought this might help in eliminating the cramping feeling that I feel with pens like the Safari and Pilot Metropolitan. Does anyone have any advice before I order this pen? Does anyone have any advice on the kinds of pens one should purchase which are good for people with arthritis? I know there are many threads on the network about arthritis but most of the pens that are recommended are quite expensive. The most expensive pen I have is the Pilot 3776 and its section is a bit narrow for me.

I wonder if there is any silicone sleeve that would fit over the section of narrow pens making it easier for people to grip the section. You find that kind of silicone on Dr. grip ballpoint pens- I wonder why they don't make it for fountain pens?

 

If you get the Ranga #3 with a JoWo nib, you can certainly swap in a #6 Goulet nib - but I'd question the need to do that, as Goulet nibs are made by JoWo with a custom branding. You can certainly use this either as an eyedropper or cartridge converter pen - I tend to prefer the latter, as I don't tend to leave one ink in my pens for any length of time.

 

Since purchasing the 'Duofold' (from JustWrite.com.au, who no longer stock them) I've added a Model #3 to my collection. It has a longer grip section than the Duofold, and tapers to a narrower diameter towards the nib, but is otherwise very similar in design. I can't answer your query about ideal pens for arthritis, but certainly the wider girth of these pens makes them easier to grip.

 

The only other large-diameter pen I have in my collection (other than a Ranga Model 5, which is HUUUGE) is the Jinhao 159. If you don't mind a heavier pen (with a plastic grip section), this is a *much* cheaper option - and also takes Goulet nibs.

[Jamerelbe]

Quite an interesting creation, but the name is unforgivable

 

Not sure who gave it that moniker - the store I bought it from also sold the Model 2C (I think) as the 'Ranga Cruiser'. In its defense, I guess the pen is kind of Parker Duofold-like in size and shape?

[Bjeweled]

Thank you so much for the information about the Goulet pen number six and the Jowo number six. I have Ordered the 3c duofold directly from Ranga with a Jowo nib section in broad. I've ordered two Goulet pen nibs in medium and 1.1. That will give me a variety of nibs to use in the pens that will except those nibs , I. E. Nemosine singularity, Jinhao 450 and 750. The Jinhaos are heavy pens and though they seem to be made very well I find it hard to write with them. I wonder what other pens take a number six nib? I have pilot, pelikan, platinum and parkers which are proprietary ( the p's have conquered) I have a Twsbi eco and a singularity, I would love to be able get some inexpensive pens that take #6 nibs so that I can replace them with Goulet nibs should their nibs not be as good as the Goulet.