Ranga Model 8B

[sansenri]

This is a fast review of a Ranga pen that was proposed to me by Mr Kandan of Ranga and that in the intentions of Ranga will become an available model in their line up.

You will excuse me if I will not go through a very thorough review, but the purpose of this brief presentation is let you know that this new model will become available soon, and give you some of my impressions.

Please also excuse the quality of the photos, they were taken in artificial light and with a hand held camera (so focus and depth of field will not alway be great)...

 

Here is the Ranga 8B

What's different from the Ranga 8?

Well, I will tell you in a minute.

 

Just a few words on how I got this pen.

In one of the last group buys Ranga offered the model 8, and I ordered two of those.

I am a fan of Ranga and ebonite pens in general.

I like the lightweight material, the warmth of it in the hand, and the fact that it is somewhat "natural" and not plastic.

I like Ranga pens because I greatly appreciate the uniqueness of these hand made pens. They sometimes have small imperfections but that is, like often in nature, what makes them unique. And in general they are greatly satisfying pens, that do not cost a fortune and work extremely well.

So I have now about 10 ranga models.

 

In the latter group buy I went for two premium ebonite model 8s.

One of the two, when I received it, had a problem, the section got stuck inside the cap and would not come out.

By trying to pull it out I managed to break the section...

I was quite mad at myself, but Mr Kandan offered to fix it!

So off it went to India.

The pen was repaired well enough but then on it's way to me it got lost in the mail... (!)

The Ranga pens always take a long time to reach me so I waited many months thinking it would show up.

About four months after shipment I gave up waiting, I explained my worries to Mr. Kandan and asked him to make another pen, because I really did not want to give the pen up...

 

Mr. Kandan was very understanding, he proposed to send me a new pen he made, without nib or converter (but threaded for Jowo, of which I have spares) at a very advantageous price (to partially compensate my loss, thank you Mr. Kandan!!)

 

I had to choose a different premium ebonite colour because the yellow-green I had originally chosen had run out. Oh, well I was tempted to try one of the solid colours in any case, so I went for a solid blue.
The pen is clipless, despite the clip being useful, the model 8 looks really fantastic without the clip!

 

When I got the pen I was really positively surpriced! What I had in my hand was a model 8 alright but...larger!

Now, that's an idea!

I just love the shape of the model 8, the concave (hourglass) section, the smooth threads, the seamless transition section to barrel, the tapering shape of the barrel. The only thing was the model 8 is a little too small (width). The Ranga model 3 is my right size.

So now the model 8B is a model 8 large! (B=big, I suppose)
Check it here in comparison with the standard 8

 

What I do really like is that it is bigger, but not hugely bigger, so it is still extremely comfortable.

The slightly larger section is just perfect. The section is quite long, like in the original model 8 and that makes it very comfortable to hold. The threads are very smooth and even if I do touch them with my thumb I cannot feel them at all. The barrel rests in my hand with great comfort, the lenght of the pen is quite fine and there is absolutely non need to post (great, since I never do, with any pen).

See here the difference in the internal diameter of the cap.

 

Quality of manufacture is like other Rangas, very good, if not better in this case. The threads are very accurate and there is not the slightest impediment in opening the cap.

 

This pen deserves a special nib in my opinion, so on arrival I put on my Jowo Fine Flex, which had also just arrived in time for Christmas!

I still need to try the nib, so I will not go into details here but the shiny gold and the deep blue really do go well together!

 

The Jowo is a 14k nib with longer tines

 

I am biased, the model 8 is the best shape in Ranga's offer, and this slightly grown up version is just perfect.

I have seen Ranga making a custom model 8 with rounded ends, which might also be very interesting to try.

We just have to wait for the official product to become available, and as always I am sure Ranga will leave space for some customizations.

 

Thanks for reading.

Thank you Ranga for making this pen.

 

 

[markiv]

The lost pen was indeed a blessing in disguise - this 8B is quite nice and IMO would be fantastic with a roll stop.

[Jamerelbe]

Thanks for the review - I have a Ranga 8 in blue/black swirl, and it's one of my favourites. The one thing that sometimes lets Ranga pens down (in my opinion) is the clips - I *really* didn't like the regular clip option available on the 9 - so I've taken to ordering clipless Ranga pens. Most of them are too long to clip into my pocket anyway, and to my eyes they look sleeker and more elegant without.

Really like the idea of the 8B - my 8 is a really nice pen, but the (2nd) smallest in my collection of Rangas. Not sure if I can justify another purchase in the near future (or ever again, really!), but if I do you've got me thinking I might go for an 8B. Excellent review, great back-story (with kudos to Mr Kandan), and the photos come out pretty well!

[mpkandan]

  On 1/14/2018 at 11:13 PM, sansenri said:

This is a fast review of a Ranga pen that was proposed to me by Mr Kandan of Ranga and that in the intentions of Ranga will become an available model in their line up.

You will excuse me if I will not go through a very thorough review, but the purpose of this brief presentation is let you know that this new model will become available soon, and give you some of my impressions.

Please also excuse the quality of the photos, they were taken in artificial light and with a hand held camera (so focus and depth of field will not alway be great)...

 

Here is the Ranga 8B

 

What's different from the Ranga 8?

Well, I will tell you in a minute.

 

Just a few words on how I got this pen.

In one of the last group buys Ranga offered the model 8, and I ordered two of those.

I am a fan of Ranga and ebonite pens in general.

I like the lightweight material, the warmth of it in the hand, and the fact that it is somewhat "natural" and not plastic.

I like Ranga pens because I greatly appreciate the uniqueness of these hand made pens. They sometimes have small imperfections but that is, like often in nature, what makes them unique. And in general they are greatly satisfying pens, that do not cost a fortune and work extremely well.

So I have now about 10 ranga models.

 

In the latter group buy I went for two premium ebonite model 8s.

One of the two, when I received it, had a problem, the section got stuck inside the cap and would not come out.

By trying to pull it out I managed to break the section...

I was quite mad at myself, but Mr Kandan offered to fix it!

So off it went to India.

The pen was repaired well enough but then on it's way to me it got lost in the mail... (!)

The Ranga pens always take a long time to reach me so I waited many months thinking it would show up.

About four months after shipment I gave up waiting, I explained my worries to Mr. Kandan and asked him to make another pen, because I really did not want to give the pen up...

 

Mr. Kandan was very understanding, he proposed to send me a new pen he made, without nib or converter (but threaded for Jowo, of which I have spares) at a very advantageous price (to partially compensate my loss, thank you Mr. Kandan!!)

 

I had to choose a different premium ebonite colour because the yellow-green I had originally chosen had run out. Oh, well I was tempted to try one of the solid colours in any case, so I went for a solid blue.

The pen is clipless, despite the clip being useful, the model 8 looks really fantastic without the clip!

 

When I got the pen I was really positively surpriced! What I had in my hand was a model 8 alright but...larger!

 

Now, that's an idea!

I just love the shape of the model 8, the concave (hourglass) section, the smooth threads, the seamless transition section to barrel, the tapering shape of the barrel. The only thing was the model 8 is a little too small (width). The Ranga model 3 is my right size.

So now the model 8B is a model 8 large! (B=big, I suppose)

Check it here in comparison with the standard 8

 

What I do really like is that it is bigger, but not hugely bigger, so it is still extremely comfortable.

The slightly larger section is just perfect. The section is quite long, like in the original model 8 and that makes it very comfortable to hold. The threads are very smooth and even if I do touch them with my thumb I cannot feel them at all. The barrel rests in my hand with great comfort, the lenght of the pen is quite fine and there is absolutely non need to post (great, since I never do, with any pen).

See here the difference in the internal diameter of the cap.

 

Quality of manufacture is like other Rangas, very good, if not better in this case. The threads are very accurate and there is not the slightest impediment in opening the cap.

 

This pen deserves a special nib in my opinion, so on arrival I put on my Jowo Fine Flex, which had also just arrived in time for Christmas!

I still need to try the nib, so I will not go into details here but the shiny gold and the deep blue really do go well together!

 

The Jowo is a 14k nib with longer tines

 

I am biased, the model 8 is the best shape in Ranga's offer, and this slightly grown up version is just perfect.

I have seen Ranga making a custom model 8 with rounded ends, which might also be very interesting to try.

We just have to wait for the official product to become available, and as always I am sure Ranga will leave space for some customizations.

 

Thanks for reading.

Thank you Ranga for making this pen.

 

 

Thanks a lot Mr.Sansenri Sir for the detailed review and pictures. Glad that you are happy now. I thank you for being patience and very understanding. Though Model 8B is not officially introduced, It is made on requests now. It would be launched officially soon.

 

Regards,

Kandan.M.P

Ranga Pen Company

[sansenri]

@markiv I am not sure, every lost pen is a heartache, I am still looking to replace a Pelikan I had in the 70s that has gone lost...

(not a precious pen, but I was fond of it, I went through high school and part of university with it...)

 

also I am uncertain about using a roll stop, I am too scared to scratch the very smooth silky finish of the premium ebonite!

 

@Jamerelbe thank you for the comments

I feel the same way about the clips, also in a way it seems that ebonite, due to the material and its patterns, looks much better without interruptions. I have also quite a few of my Rangas without any clip.

The clip on the 8 is particularly tough and clipping it on the shirt is almost impossible, and as you say, it's too long to fit in the poket anyway...

 

Don't give up the 8B if you have the chance, if you like the 8 but you feel it is slightly small, the 8B is really a worthwhile improvement, immediately evident when you hold it in your hand. Perhaps if the blue white premium ebonite becomes available again!!

(when it does I am getting a second B8 for sure!)

 

I have several Rangas with the converter but only one eye dropper, and I think I need to try more.

The converter versions are very reliable (very safe also for office use), german nib, ready nib - feed - collar and corresponding converter, but I am realizing they all behave very similarly. I am keen to experiment more with eyedroppers, ebonite feeds and different nibs. Ranga pens is a good starting point for this.

 

[sansenri]

Thank you Mr. Kandan! I was never unhappy, perhaps a little discomforted for the lost pen, but never with Ranga.

I highly appreciate Ranga's work, and the artistry behind it which is a heritage you are surely proud of.

I look with interest at all your do and wish you a successful 2018!

[mhguda]

Thank you for bringing this new model to our attention. I too, have a Ranga 8 as one of my by now quite large Ranga collection, and at first I was skeptical about what that B might mean? Especially since I do like my 8, after I replaced its scratchy Wality nib (that's how long I've had it!) with one of the Ambitious nibs from Deccan. But yes, it is a little thin in the section, so I'll be looking forward to trying this new model out...

Also, the solid blue ebonite is very handsome, I'm even more seriously tempted by that...

One word about a rollstop - I think you'd be quite safe, provided you don't move it around too much... I have equipped a number of my clipless ebonites with silver or bronze ring roll stops, the pens look really nice that way...

[Forsooth]

It is beautiful. I love the minimal threading. Let the Model 8B serve as the next group buy.

[Jamerelbe]

  On 1/18/2018 at 11:26 PM, Forsooth said:

It is beautiful. I love the minimal threading. Let the Model 8B serve as the next group buy.

 

Amen to that - yes please!

[mehandiratta]

This 8B is really gorgeous ...

[Jamerelbe]

  On 1/31/2018 at 4:21 AM, mehandiratta said:

This 8B is really gorgeous ...

 

Agreed - I don't suppose you could convince Mr Kandan to add it to a group buy sometime soon? Pretty please??

[mehandiratta]

  On 1/31/2018 at 11:44 AM, Jamerelbe said:

 

Agreed - I don't suppose you could convince Mr Kandan to add it to a group buy sometime soon? Pretty please??

 

lets make it for next....

[ajarslanian]

  On 1/14/2018 at 11:13 PM, sansenri said:

This is a fast review of a Ranga pen that was proposed to me by Mr Kandan of Ranga and that in the intentions of Ranga will become an available model in their line up.

You will excuse me if I will not go through a very thorough review, but the purpose of this brief presentation is let you know that this new model will become available soon, and give you some of my impressions.

Please also excuse the quality of the photos, they were taken in artificial light and with a hand held camera (so focus and depth of field will not alway be great)...

 

Here is the Ranga 8B

 

What's different from the Ranga 8?

Well, I will tell you in a minute.

 

Just a few words on how I got this pen.

In one of the last group buys Ranga offered the model 8, and I ordered two of those.

I am a fan of Ranga and ebonite pens in general.

I like the lightweight material, the warmth of it in the hand, and the fact that it is somewhat "natural" and not plastic.

I like Ranga pens because I greatly appreciate the uniqueness of these hand made pens. They sometimes have small imperfections but that is, like often in nature, what makes them unique. And in general they are greatly satisfying pens, that do not cost a fortune and work extremely well.

So I have now about 10 ranga models.

 

In the latter group buy I went for two premium ebonite model 8s.

One of the two, when I received it, had a problem, the section got stuck inside the cap and would not come out.

By trying to pull it out I managed to break the section...

I was quite mad at myself, but Mr Kandan offered to fix it!

So off it went to India.

The pen was repaired well enough but then on it's way to me it got lost in the mail... (!)

The Ranga pens always take a long time to reach me so I waited many months thinking it would show up.

About four months after shipment I gave up waiting, I explained my worries to Mr. Kandan and asked him to make another pen, because I really did not want to give the pen up...

 

Mr. Kandan was very understanding, he proposed to send me a new pen he made, without nib or converter (but threaded for Jowo, of which I have spares) at a very advantageous price (to partially compensate my loss, thank you Mr. Kandan!!)

 

I had to choose a different premium ebonite colour because the yellow-green I had originally chosen had run out. Oh, well I was tempted to try one of the solid colours in any case, so I went for a solid blue.

The pen is clipless, despite the clip being useful, the model 8 looks really fantastic without the clip!

 

When I got the pen I was really positively surpriced! What I had in my hand was a model 8 alright but...larger!

 

Now, that's an idea!

I just love the shape of the model 8, the concave (hourglass) section, the smooth threads, the seamless transition section to barrel, the tapering shape of the barrel. The only thing was the model 8 is a little too small (width). The Ranga model 3 is my right size.

So now the model 8B is a model 8 large! (B=big, I suppose)

Check it here in comparison with the standard 8

 

What I do really like is that it is bigger, but not hugely bigger, so it is still extremely comfortable.

The slightly larger section is just perfect. The section is quite long, like in the original model 8 and that makes it very comfortable to hold. The threads are very smooth and even if I do touch them with my thumb I cannot feel them at all. The barrel rests in my hand with great comfort, the lenght of the pen is quite fine and there is absolutely non need to post (great, since I never do, with any pen).

See here the difference in the internal diameter of the cap.

 

Quality of manufacture is like other Rangas, very good, if not better in this case. The threads are very accurate and there is not the slightest impediment in opening the cap.

 

This pen deserves a special nib in my opinion, so on arrival I put on my Jowo Fine Flex, which had also just arrived in time for Christmas!

I still need to try the nib, so I will not go into details here but the shiny gold and the deep blue really do go well together!

 

The Jowo is a 14k nib with longer tines

 

I am biased, the model 8 is the best shape in Ranga's offer, and this slightly grown up version is just perfect.

I have seen Ranga making a custom model 8 with rounded ends, which might also be very interesting to try.

We just have to wait for the official product to become available, and as always I am sure Ranga will leave space for some customizations.

 

Thanks for reading.

Thank you Ranga for making this pen.

 

 

 

Wonderful review! I've already contacted Ranga pens to inquire about this model, due to your review. That being said, what is the width of the grip sections on the Model 8 and 8B? Thank you for your time.

[mehandiratta]

  On 2/7/2018 at 5:28 AM, ajarslanian said:

 

Wonderful review! I've already contacted Ranga pens to inquire about this model, due to your review. That being said, what is the width of the grip sections on the Model 8 and 8B? Thank you for your time.

 

maybe next group buy can be this...

[Jamerelbe]

  On 2/7/2018 at 6:17 AM, mehandiratta said:

 

maybe next group buy can be this...

Yes please!!

[mhguda]

I'm afraid I'd join, too. And probably in that exact same color. It's gorgeous!

It would sit next to my normal size model 8.

[NPatil]

  On 2/7/2018 at 6:17 AM, mehandiratta said:

 

maybe next group buy can be this...

I'll be in for one too. Might get my first premium ebonite Ranga this time

[sansenri]

@ ajarslanian

 

sorry for not answering this earlier, I just got my caliber out

 

section width at the shallower point

model 8: 0.95 cm (sorry no inches here...)

model 8B: 1.1 cm

 

barrel width at the widest point

model 8: 1.3 cm

model 8B: 1.4 cm

[sansenri]

PS

by comparison the Emperor has section width 1.2 cm and barrel 1.4 cm, so it is just 0,1 cm larger at the section.

 

it would really be wonderful if Vaibhav could assist us in gettting model 8B into one of the next group buys...

 

but before we do, we really need Ranga to restock some of the premium ebonite...

it's been all used up!

[ajarslanian]

@Sansenri

 

Thank you for taking the time to measure and respond. That helps a lot in approaching a final decision on my next pen purchase.