Ranga Model 4C - Premium Ebonite

[mehandiratta]

Ranga Pens is amongst the one quality pen manufacturer in India. Infact they are the only manufacturer in India who have the premium colors and quality ebonite pens apart from regular ebonite and acrylic pens.

They have an active Ebay store where they sell not just fountain pens but also ball pens and Roller Ball pens and also raw materials like ebonite rods and acrylic blanks. The link to ebay shop is as below:

RANGAHANDMADE

Also Peyton Pen Street is also authorized seller of Ranga Hand Made pens. Here is the link to the webpage: PEYTON

Mr. M.P. Kandan of Ranga Pens can also be reached at Fountain Pen Network, where he is quite active. Here is the link to reach him on FPN : MPKANDAN – RANGA

I have recently organized 3 group buys for three different model of thiers. Model 4C, Model 3 and Bamboo Model. And i have bought all three models through group buy. I will be reviewing all the models one by one.

They have following Models in their lineup:

1. Model 4C
2. Bamboo
3. Model 3
4. Model 4CS
5. Model 5
6. Model 6
7. Model 8
8. Model 2c
9. Model 2d
10. Zeal

And few more.

I will be reviewing Model 4C in this post. Which M.S.Pandurangan (Owner/Pen Turner) has crafted these pens from end-end.

I also have reviewed this pen at my blog along with other pens and inks : LINK

Model 4C – In the Wild

This happens to be actually my second pen from the house of Ranga Pens and first one being Bamboo Model. Which i will be reviewing next.

DESIGN & BUILT: 05/05

The build quality of this pen is impeccable. Its very well polished and there is no marks at all i see on the pen. Believe me its an handmade pen and when you hold the pen in your hand you wont be able to judge whether it’s handmade or not. Such and excellent finish Mr. Kandan has given on this pen.

Model 4C – beauty Shot

The quality of this premium ebonite is really really good. There are hardly any imperfections that you might otherwise find in regular color ebonites. The pen is quite sturdy and being ebonite it is more durable. The pen actually comes in approximately 24 color options out of which 10 are premium ebonite colors. The pen in review is premium orange ebonite which actually is muted earthy orange color.

Model 4C – Uncapped

It really feel amazing in your hand. And its certainly a looker. People look at this pen and actually take it from my hands just to feel it of not write with it. Such is the charming factor of this premium color ebonite. And yes i have noticed that these premium ebonites are far superior over the regular ebonites.

Model 4C is actually a regular sized pen with bit of girth. It’s a cigar shaped pen which tapers down to the bottom and has rounded top and bottom. The cap is flushed with the barrel and you would hardly notice the joint. No imperfection. Superior attention paid to the product.

Model 4C – Rounded Top and Bottom

Model 4C – Capped - Cap is flushed with the barrel

Model 4C – Uncapped -Barrel Tapers down to bottom

Cap Clip is strong and sturdy and pen can easily stick to the shirt pocket. I have one qualms which is very minor and that is gold trim which is clip will turn to chrome soon. But i have an option to replace the cap clip easily. Also i found that clip was not in alignment and was off centred when pen arrived , but again that was easily taken care off by unscrewing the cap finial and straightening the clip.

Model 4C – Cap and Clip

Model 4C – Cap Finial View from top

Model 4C – Cap inner view

The grip section of the pen gradually tapers slightly towards the top and is also made of the same material. Complete pen is made of ebonite.

I am really really happy with the top notch quality and finish on the pen.

Below are few images showing the comparison of the pen with other pens:

Ranga Model 4C vs Jinhao 159 vs Oliver F27 vs Parker Frontier – Capped

Ranga Model 4C vs Jinhao 159 vs Oliver F27 vs Parker Frontier – Uncapped and Posted

Ranga Model 4C vs Jinhao 159 vs Oliver F27 vs Parker Frontier – Uncapped and Posted – Side View

Overall I am extremely happy with quality, built and finish of the pen. This is probably amongst the best pens from India.

Full marks to Ranga.

BALANCE AND SIZE: 4/5

The pen measures 150 mm when capped and 135 mm when uncapped including the nib. The dia of the cap is 15 mm and barrel tapers down from center to the bottom to 9mm from 15 mm.

The average grip section dia is 10 mm and length is 30 mm.

As far as balance is concerned it is very well balanced and you would love writing with this pen uncapped for longer periods. However I beleive the posting cap makes it extremely large at 180mm (yes cap posts securely) and for me it becomes slightly uncomfortable.

Model 4C – Writing Unposted

Model 4C – Writing Posted

I love writing with this pen uncapped and unposted for longer periods.

NIB AND INK FILLING MECHANISM: 05/05

My pen came with Dual Tone JoWo 1.5 Calligraphy stub and it writes amazing. has amazing line variation and is not at all scratchy. The pen has various nib options like JoWo (EF, F, M, B & 1.5) , Schmidt (F, M, & , Bock (F, M, & B – with Conklin imprinted) and Ambitious (F-M).

I am really happy with my JoWo 1.5 Stub. It writes superb.

MODEL 4C – JoWo Nib Unit Top View

MODEL 4C – JoWo Nib Unit Side View

MODEL 4C – JoWo Nib Unit Bottom View

Ink filling mechanism is via Cartridge converter and the material being ebonite can be easily used as eyedropper.I prefer the flexibility of the pen to be used as eyedropper which lot of pens don’t give.

Model 4C – Converter mechanism filling

Below are few images showing handwritten review and sample:

Model 4C – Page 1 _ Handwritten review

Model 4C – Page 2 _ Handwritten review

Model 4C – Page 3 _ Handwritten review

CONCLUSION:

I love the size shape and finish of the Model 4C. It's a regular sized pen with girth and i Like that and premium ebonite is like cherry on top.

The price seemed expensive in beginning but beleive me it was worth it.

Few other reviews can be checked at my Blog here : MEHANDIRATTA

[Sagarb]

Excellent review from the great reviewer..thanks Vaibhab..beautiful execution.and what a beautiful pen..how much did it cost you?

[mehandiratta]

Excellent review from the great reviewer..thanks Vaibhav..beautiful execution.and what a beautiful pen..how much did it cost you?

i bought it in a group buy around 4000 plus.... don't remember the exact price though... will check and revert

[visvamitra]

Great review. I would be interested in thia pen price as well.

[mehandiratta]

Great review. I would be interested in thia pen price as well.

Thank you visvamitra. Means a lot coming from you.

 

The group buy was organised 2 months back.

The group buy prices were

 

German nib Normal ebonite - 60 USD (Regular Price is US $ 75 to US $ 83)

German nib Premium ebonite - 75 USD (Regular Price is US $ 93)

Edited October 18, 2015 by mehandiratta

[Benpiggy]

Thank you. An excellent review!!!!

[amk]

A lovely review. Wish I had thought to get one of the calligraphy nibs... I have a broad that I'll have to get round to grinding, some time... That orange is a stunning colour, isn't it?

 

I'm afraid though as soon as I saw the comparison photo, the Oliver distracted me... that's a seriously lovely bit of acrylic!

[mehandiratta]

Thank you. An excellent review!!!!

Thank you lot for going through the review

[mehandiratta]

A lovely review. Wish I had thought to get one of the calligraphy nibs... I have a broad that I'll have to get round to grinding, some time... That orange is a stunning colour, isn't it?

 

I'm afraid though as soon as I saw the comparison photo, the Oliver distracted me... that's a seriously lovely bit of acrylic!

Take a spare nib unit which can be replaced as per your convenience...

 

Also I will be reviewing Oliver F27 soon... They will be soon coming back to production...

[mehandiratta]

A lovely review. Wish I had thought to get one of the calligraphy nibs... I have a broad that I'll have to get round to grinding, some time... That orange is a stunning colour, isn't it?

 

I'm afraid though as soon as I saw the comparison photo, the Oliver distracted me... that's a seriously lovely bit of acrylic!

And yes I love the color orange a lot... Its the color I pick always first.. If given a choice..

[visvamitra]

@mehandiratta - thank you. I'll need to pay closer attention to indian group buys

[mehandiratta]

@mehandiratta - thank you. I'll need to pay closer attention to indian group buys

I will PM you if there is a group buy I organize

[Sagarb]

I will PM you if there is a group buy I organize

I also missed it Vaibhab, pls let me know when you start another.

[mehandiratta]

I also missed it Vaibhab, pls let me know when you start another.

Sure Sir

[s_t_e_v_e]

Beautiful pen and thanks for the great review, Vaibhav!

[mehandiratta]

Beautiful pen and thanks for the great review, Vaibhav!

Thank you steve

[Cryptos]

EoC is finding all this very confusing. The Asa I Can in blue-black swirls is very tempting, and now this fabulous orange Ranga 4c. EoC can only afford to get a single example, and now does not know which to choose. A dilemma.

 

Note. EoC has been looking to fulfill a very small dream of owning an ebonite pen for some time.

[mehandiratta]

EoC is find all this very confusing. The Asa I Can in blue-black swirls is very tempting, and now this fabulous orange Ranga 4c. EoC can only afford to get a single example, and now does not know which to choose. A dilemma.

 

Note. EoC has been looking to fulfill a very small dream of owning an ebonite pen for some time.

Ranga Model 4c has premium quality ebonite not sold by anyone here ....

the color is amazing and is bit expensive...

 

they also have regular ebonite ...

 

It's now between the shapes that you have to decide , both are amazing products .....one thing is that ASA I-Can is an eyedropper only... while Ranga Model 4C has option of C/C....

[avoiceinthedistance]

Thanks for this fine review, Vaibhav. I have a lovely blue Model 4C that has not left the rotation since I got it. If you were to organize another group buy, might the Model 5 be part of it? I seem to really like the big pens.

 

Cheers.

[mehandiratta]

Thanks for this fine review, Vaibhav. I have a lovely blue Model 4C that has not left the rotation since I got it. If you were to organize another group buy, might the Model 5 be part of it? I seem to really like the big pens.

 

Cheers.

Model 5 group buy will be available by month end.