My new Ranga 4CS (the second one)

[tommym]

Model 4CS (Ebonite Colours: P10.Solid Orange, Nib: German Jowo -Steel #6- Chrome Mono Tone - 1.5, Clip: White, Finish : Polish)

I received my second Ranga Model 4CS this week and couldn’t be happier. I was not planning on ordering a second Model 4CS, but…..

First, my friend quickly adopted my “first” Ranga Pen, the black and yellow one. He was so blown away by the pen/nib that I ended up gifting it to him. He has several costly Japanese Urushi/gold leaf fountain pens and just had to add this one to his collection. He views this pen as being at the opposite end of the Urushi/gold leaf spectrum but still one in the same. That’s pretty high praise from him. He uses this pen daily as he also loves broad stub Bock nibs, unlike his costly Japanese Urushi/gold leaf fountain pens that just sit in his "do not touch" display cases. The link to my review of this pen can be found at: 

 

 

Secondly, I think the Ranga Model 4CS with a #6 nib is the most beautifully proportioned fountain pen I have ever seen. Being made of ebonite adds to the allure. I knew if I ever had to order another one, it would be a solid color (Ranga's Orange Premium Ebonite) to more cleanly delineate the elegant shape/design of this pen. As many have mentioned, the ebonite colors seem “brighter” on their website. Lighting levels (bright outdoor sun vs. a warmer desktop task light) can significantly affect the perceived tint. Also, I assumed that the color(s) of the ebonite would vary from batch to batch, all part of the beauty of the process. Ranga Orange is #10 on the color chart below, and my pen does indeed fall within that color spectrum.

 

 

 

 

I have attached a writing sample of the new pen; it is on the bottom. The paper is readily available (where I live) 20# bond paper, nothing special. Both pens have similar 1.5 mm #6 nibs. The Black and Yellow has a Bock 1.5 mm Steel Nib; the Orange has a JoWo 1.5 mm Steel Nib. With my daily writing style, there is no visible difference between the two. The JoWo 1.5 mm is the more forgiving of the two nibs due to its rounded corners. However, The Bock 1.5 mm really comes to life with a more oversized, flamboyant cursive style but requires a more disciplined technique to maintain proper ink flow. I did not find any discernible difference between the two nibs with regards to flex. They are both pretty stiff, which is how I like my stub nibs.  

 

 

As I mentioned in my previous review, the 1.5 mm was never intended to be my daily writer, only to supplement it. I have decided that my next pen will be a Ranga Model 3C with an EF steel nib. That pen will go head-to-head with my current daily writer, my Montblanc 146 with its EF nib. It sounds like a tall task, but it will really come down to the performance of the new nib. The Ranga Model 3C shape/design is more conventional than the 4CS and is similar to the Montblanc 146 so I don’t feel a need to go with a solid color with this one. That reopens the door to all of Ranga's ebonite color combinations!

 

I have grown tired of maintaining my extensive pen collection and plan to divest myself of all of it. My new goal is only to have two or three fountain pens that will be used daily. My new Ranga 4CS already makes the cut. I have high hopes that the Ranga's 3C will also make the cut and replace my Montblanc 146 as my daily writer.

 

Thanks,

 

Tommy