Review of ranga splendour

[sansenri]

They are really very similar in the shape, it's the size that changes. If you have big hands they pen may feel more comfortable. My perfect size is the 8B, sort of Pelikan M800 size. In my opinion, unless for reasons of big hands, the other thing that justifies purchase is the possibility of fitting size 8 nibs.

If I correctly understand, Ambitious no. 40 nibs, come fitted in size 8 housings (can be fitted in either Bock or Jowo I think) so an Ambitious no. 40 could also be fitted, I'm planning to try one, if I can find where to get one...

[sansenri]

On 12/1/2021 at 12:10 PM, K Singh said:

Thanks for the detailed review 👍 Actually I prefer this model over all their large ones like the giant bamboo or model 5, because I don't like step-down at the barrel.

 

Have already bought too many pens in past few months but look forward to having this some day. Also they have a flat-top Splendor as well. That's the one that appeals more to me.

 

Actually that is another good reason!

I have not attepted a 9B because the step-down puts me off far too much, but practically the Splendour Torpedo is the next level:

8B plus an expanded barrel and cap (but same section) becomes a 9B, 9B plus also an expanded section becomes a Splendour Torpedo!

With a model 8, model 8B and Splendour Torpedo you have the full range of sizes of the same pen shape.

(btw I also love the model 8, it's smallish, but still comfortable for me, particularly length is still very usable , and unbeatable as far as portability is concerned).

[Harish N V]

Hi. I recently purchased this beauty and I really enjoy the size and weight of the splendour more than the other giants among the rangas.  I appreciate the ergonomics of this pen particularly the grip. 

 

The red ebonite in the above pictures is amazing and the polish is really good. 

 

 

there is a new model called abhimanyu grand that has been introduced currently. It's looks great

[sansenri]

Although I do maintain a preference for the ebonite pens, Ranga has been doing some really nice resin versions, I own a few, they are very precisely machined, and some of the resins are really nice with interesting depth in the materials.

The Abhimanyu is also a lovely shape, I'll be curious to see the Grand version .

[Harish N V]

Yes. I also do have a preference for ebonites. But this is certainly changing it

[K Singh]

On 5/1/2022 at 2:26 PM, sansenri said:

8B plus an expanded barrel and cap (but same section) becomes a 9B, 9B plus also an expanded section becomes a Splendour Torpedo!

Never thought of them that way 🙂

 

I have got too used to bigger Indian ebonite pens now, so even the 8b feels on the smaller side to me.

 

Instead of getting the ambitious 40mm nib alone, may I recommend you the Woodex39 with that 40mm nib. It's a very well-made pen and I like it. Here are few pics of it that I found on my phone. 

 

 

[sansenri]

that is quite an interesting pen, looks rather classic with the brushed body and cap and the polished finials and section.

I actually also like the hourglass shaped section, but I would very gladly do without the clip.
can you show size comparison next to some other better known pen?

I'm actually looking for an option on how to get a pen with an Ambitious no. 40 nib.

What is the best way to get in contact with Woodex to check their offer?

[K Singh]

5 hours ago, sansenri said:

can you show size comparison next to some other better known pen?

This pen is very similar to Deccan Masterpiece which was sold earlier by Deccan pens. There are several old threads on FPN on the Deccan Masterpiece.

 

Mr.Prabhakar from Woodex pens used to make pens for Deccan too. Now he makes pens under the Woodex brand. The best way to contact them is via whatsapp. Here is Mr.Narsimha's whatsapp number who sells these pens: +91 98854 28100

 

Some pics for size comparison. I have also included their regular model 39 with Kanwrite nib

 

Left->Right: ALstar, Lotus Shikhar, Ranga 8b, Woodex 39 with hourglass section and 40mm nib, Woodex 39 with Kanwrite 35mm nib

 

 

Uncapped pic

 

My pics don't do full justice to the pen. Here are few pics from Woodex themselves which they shared with me

 

 

[Harish N V]

Wow. The 39 will mostly be my next purchase. Looks so classic and the 40 mm nib looks great

[sansenri]

13 hours ago, K Singh said:

This pen is very similar to Deccan Masterpiece which was sold earlier by Deccan pens. There are several old threads on FPN on the Deccan Masterpiece.

 

Mr.Prabhakar from Woodex pens used to make pens for Deccan too. Now he makes pens under the Woodex brand. The best way to contact them is via whatsapp. Here is Mr.Narsimha's whatsapp number who sells these pens: +91 98854 28100

 

Some pics for size comparison. I have also included their regular model 39 with Kanwrite nib

 

 

Left->Right: ALstar, Lotus Shikhar, Ranga 8b, Woodex 39 with hourglass section and 40mm nib, Woodex 39 with Kanwrite 35mm nib

 

 

Uncapped pic

 

My pics don't do full justice to the pen. Here are few pics from Woodex themselves which they shared with me

 

 

 

 

Thank you, yes, it does look familiar (many of Hari's posts are strong reference for me!), but even sort of more refined. Thank you for the contact info.

 

The two 39s look somewhat different, the longer and hourglass shaped section of the version with the Ambitious 40 nib does look quite more elegant. Is there a specific name for this version? What is the filling system? Converter or eyedropper?

 

Thanks also for comparison with the Ranga 8B, that is a very good reference, I also own the Splendour which is a larger size 8B and I think sizewise it is comparable to the 39.

I might as well add the 39 to the wish list!

 

[K Singh]

19 hours ago, Harish N V said:

Wow. The 39 will mostly be my next purchase. Looks so classic and the 40 mm nib looks great

I'd say go for it 👍 

 

11 hours ago, sansenri said:

The two 39s look somewhat different, the longer and hourglass shaped section of the version with the Ambitious 40 nib does look quite more elegant. Is there a specific name for this version? What is the filling system? Converter or eyedropper?

No, they don't have any specific name for this. They just call it Woodex39 with ambitious 40mm nib. You can just share the above pics with Woodex to avoid any confusion.

 

It's an eyedropper, but they do provide another jowo-threaded section(without Jowo nib unit and converter) for extra 5$ here in India.

 

I've seen so many of your beautiful Rangas by now, and recently your 8b too, that's why I used it for comparison 🙂  It's the only Ranga that I own.

 

[K Singh]

@sansenri

@Harish N V

There is one more thing worth mentioning I think. Although both my Woodex39 have same ebonite feed, for the Ambitious 40mm pen they have drilled two extra holes in the feed -one at the bottom and other along the ink channel. Thus the one with 40mm nib has a very juicy ink flow compared to the kanwrite one. I have no idea whether they do this for all pens with 40mm nib or not. 

 

 

The feed on Woodex39 with Kanwrite nib

 

 

The feed on Woodex39 with Ambitious nib

[sansenri]

12 hours ago, K Singh said:

I'd say go for it 👍 

 

No, they don't have any specific name for this. They just call it Woodex39 with ambitious 40mm nib. You can just share the above pics with Woodex to avoid any confusion.

 

It's an eyedropper, but they do provide another jowo-threaded section(without Jowo nib unit and converter) for extra 5$ here in India.

 

I've seen so many of your beautiful Rangas by now, and recently your 8b too, that's why I used it for comparison 🙂  It's the only Ranga that I own.

 

Thank you!

I do own quite a number of Ranga pens, and I find them very well made, I think merit does go to Mr.Kandan who has always been very active in promoting Ranga's work and especially making Ranga pens easily accessible outside of India.

I own a couple of Deccans, which are really good, but they are complicated to source...

I also own a few Asa and Gama pens which are nice, but not exactly in the same league.

Your Lotus looks very nice, by the way.

The Woodex I've seen so far also look rather good.

 

[Harish N V]

Thanks to this thread, I have placed the order for a woodex 39 with a 40 mm nib. 

 

11 hours ago, sansenri said:

Thank you!

I do own quite a number of Ranga pens, and I find them very well made, I think merit does go to Mr.Kandan who has always been very active in promoting Ranga's work and especially making Ranga pens easily accessible outside of India.

I own a couple of Deccans, which are really good, but they are complicated to source...

I also own a few Asa and Gama pens which are nice, but not exactly in the same league.

Your Lotus looks very nice, by the way.

The Woodex I've seen so far also look rather good.

 

I completely agree with what you have said. I raleally don't have an asa till now. But I agree with you regarding gama. 

 

Woodex is also really good in terms of workmanship and delivery schedules. 

[Harish N V]

On 5/6/2022 at 10:42 AM, K Singh said:

@sansenri

@Harish N V

There is one more thing worth mentioning I think. Although both my Woodex39 have same ebonite feed, for the Ambitious 40mm pen they have drilled two extra holes in the feed -one at the bottom and other along the ink channel. Thus the one with 40mm nib has a very juicy ink flow compared to the kanwrite one. I have no idea whether they do this for all pens with 40mm nib or not. 

 

 

The feed on Woodex39 with Kanwrite nib

 

 

The feed on Woodex39 with Ambitious nib

Thanks for this detail. I will check with narasimha regarding the second hole

[K Singh]

On 5/7/2022 at 1:00 PM, Harish N V said:

Thanks to this thread, I have placed the order for a woodex 39 with a 40 mm nib

Great. Hope you like it as much as I like mine. 

 

On 5/7/2022 at 1:10 AM, sansenri said:

Your Lotus looks very nice, by the way

Ranga is very popular here on FPN. Deccan, ASA and Gama are nice too.

 

You didn't mention having Guider or Lotus. I would highly recommend having atleast one from both. They are very well-made pens.

 

Guider usually comes with Schmidt nibs, though you can ask for a Jowo threaded one. Here are two guiders - Guider Maharaja and Guider Zimbo with Schmidt nib and converter. Their finishing is second to none in my opinion 🙏

 

 

Lotus pens have created a unique niche for themselves in the Indian market by offering custom pens, and regular models as well, in Japanese Nikko ebonite. The Lotus Shikhar I shared earlier was made using Nikko ebonite, and that's why it stands apart from the rest. Perhaps my poor camera pics don't do it full justice. 

 

However I like the woodgrain Nikko ebonite pattern more than the plain colour on my Shikhar. Here is a custom lotus maharaja in that woodgrain pattern. This is a huge pen, similar to Ranga giant pens, about 170-180mm capped.

 

[sansenri]

Thank you K Singh, those are very nice pens.

 

I've often heard of Guider but don't know too much about them, it would seem they are not too easy to check out... do they have a web site, where is it possible to see a presentation of their pens?

 

Lotus I know about, although I don't own one yet. Their pens look beautiful, the Japanese ebonite seems to make a difference.

 

The Maharaja in woodgrain pattern you are showing is really beautiful, and desirable, although I've heard the waiting list for a Lotus pen is long, is that true?

 

We are straying somewhat from the Splendour topic, I'm sure Harish will excuse us...

[Harish N V]

Hi k singh and Sansenri, 

I totally don't mind that it's straying away. I actually like the way this thread is going. I contacted Mr Lakshman Rao of guider and he seems to be a very nice and helpful person. He has sent me many photographs but I am too confused about making choices. 

 

But again the pens are so affordable. 

 

@ksingh : thanks for your inputs. Appreciate it totally. do you have a recommendation to make for me apart from the ones in your picture. They would be too girthy for me. I would prefer to start with something like the Deccan advocate or slightly bigger.

 

Also iam looking forward to a lotus vikrant. I will have to however save some money for that one. 

[K Singh]

22 hours ago, sansenri said:

 

I've often heard of Guider but don't know too much about them, it would seem they are not too easy to check out... do they have a web site, where is it possible to see a presentation of their pens?

Guider has a website but it's not updated regularly. Please check http://guiderpen.com/ for contact details. You can whatsapp them on their cell number or email them. Both are provided on the top of their site.

 

They have couple of Facebook pages too- https://m.facebook.com/guiderpen.works

 

and

 

https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Product-service/Guider-Pens-711233115752738/

 

But please note that the website or their social media profiles are not updated regularly. If you like any pen from the pics, just share the pic with them and tell them you want similar pen with Schmidt nib. Or you can whatsapp or email them for their current stock. 

 

I think hari317 had shared some slip-cap ebonite pens from guider earlier. I think they are the only ones who still make slip-cap pens in ebonite in India. Do check them out.

 

I think you may be thinking of waiting time of Fosfor pens, instead of Lotus pens. Lotus pens generally has quick turnaround time from what I know. And you can ask them to make perhaps any pen design that you like, though in converter/eyedropper filling only. For example they have a model similar to nakaya dorsal fin made from Nikko ebonite. 

 

22 hours ago, Harish N V said:

do you have a recommendation to make for me apart from the ones in your picture

 

Although I have a dozen guiders, all of them are huge in size. The Red Zimbo I shared above is the smallest guider that I have, but which itself is an oversized pen. I would again recommend you hari317's post on guider pens for their regular sized pens.

 

That Lotus vikrant is a nice pen 👍

[K Singh]

@sansenri

@Harish N V

Check out this thread for Guider push-cap pen in large/Zimbo size and medium size. I would recommend you opt for the Schmidt nib instead of their stock nib, as the immediate pull off of the slip-cap may result in leaks with the regular feed, and it can be prevented from the extra buffering provided by the schmidt feed. Please note, I myself haven't faced any ink leaks even from the regular feed in my slip-cap pen, but few have mentioned it in the Indian pen FB group. Best to go with Schmidt nib and feed to be safe 👍