Indian Ebonite Pen showcase

[metalhead]

Over the last 2-3 weeks, I wanted to bring out my Indian ebonite pens, take pictures and post some mini-reviews of each, in the hope that many others discover and come to love these instruments. I feel that we are in the last decade of Indian hand-made ebonite craftsmanship, unless more people get attracted to these simple, rustic-even devices. All of these pens are collected over years, I use them, and love writing with them. I do use the usual, expensive Pilots and the Pelikans and the Gravitas pens, so I understand the troubles like burping and finishing quality issues with Indian ebonites, and yet I keep going back to them. So there's something to them, and I hope dear reader that you will find something here that you may love. There's 20 of them, so I will try to show 5 in each post to help with page load.

 

Airmail 69EB and EBS

Starting with the now defunct Airmail pens, these are what you may call normal sized pens, EBS (in green below) is the slimmer version. They come with a kanwrite indian #8 nib ( not to be confused with the international #8 nib). These pens are very light, great for daily use, and you can get lots of options on #8 nibs from kanwrite as replacements. Eye dropper fill only. These are much harder to get now, they used to retail at 500 INR till the company stopped making pens. Airmail nibs were always a hit or miss, I prefer to just replace with a kanwrite nib on arrival. Overall, perfect finish, except the clip quality, but at this cost, the writing matters and these pens shine at that.

 

Deccan Advocate Junior

The smaller cousin of the more famous, wholesome model. It’s a slim pen with a concave section, very comfortable for writing. I like this model over the senior pen even though i prefer larger pens generally. The nib is stock deccan #5 which writes M->B and is very well tuned. Deccan finishing and quality was quite good back in the day. Good every day carry pen, easy to use. Again, eyedropper fill only.

 

Gama Supreme

For those who like big pens, 2 over sized pens, same pen really. Gama Supreme (green, friction fit, barrel filler) and ASA Himalaya (jowo threaded section, CC). Given the weight of the pen, i wanted a really smooth nib for multiple page writing, a kw BB does a good job. The pen feels a bit heavy but it balances ok with a higher grip. Looks majestic. Size comparison with a Sailor PG (not slim). These are large pens, with 16cm length and 13.5-14mm girth, upwards of 25 gms unposted.

 

Acriv Kemet Desher

 

Then there's the maverick, Acriv Kemet Desher, wonderful ebonite pen, and unique for three reasons -

1. Butterfly nib, titanium
2. ⁠reddish black ebonite thats very uncommon
3. ⁠microgrooves on the section

It’s a long pen, as long as the Nauka. The butterfly nib is remarkably smooth if you write with a light hand, the flow from the feed supports the nib that hoses out ink aplenty. Not for the faint hearted, it’s a great pen to have in the collection. The polish and finish on the pen isn’t perfect, for me that makes it part of the charm because the overall pen oozes rustic nonchalance. I don’t know if that ruggedness is designed or just left for the user as an exercise. This is a close up of the finish on the barrel, for example. Whatever it is, the pen feels quite good in hand.

 

 

Ranga Samurai

This is my favourite Ranga design, just so symmetrical and easy on the eye. I don’t like Ranga clips, so all of them are clipless. the oversized one is called Ranga Bheem. I use them with various Jowo and KW nibs, and sometimes experiment. Samurai pens are well balanced, the good part about such a simple design is that the nib is the hero. I like some other Ranga designs as well, but Samurai is a class apart. Besides the ebonites, i recently got one in peek with a #8 unit, customisations are a luxury we have with indian makers.

 

See you with the next 5 in a bit.

 

 

 

[metalhead]

ASA Durga

Only released during Durga Puja season, this is a Duofold inspired pen from ASA, it’s a beautiful design, perfect weight, and wonderful colours. Here’s a red. Green looks even better but i missed out. You can see comparison with ASA Maya for size. The jowo nib comes etched for the occasion too. The colour of this body perfectly matches Diamine oxblood colour.

 

ASA Nauka

Another ASA classic, most of you might already have it. It’s the Nauka (boat in Sanskrit/Hindi). The design reminds me of boats solo fishermen use on Narmada near my hometown. The unique feature of this pen is the seamless design end to end, the threads are right at the top of the section. This makes it very comfortable to hold, indeed it’s the most comfortable of all Indian ebonites for me. Threads provide a nice resting place for my fingers. Nauka comes in many avatars, i like the classic matte finish in black and the demo (sometimes called transnauka). Lovely pens.

 

 

Click Century

A pocket daily carry pen that’s not generally talked about - Click Century. The matte finish in this pen is exquisite, it’s a narrow section for people who like thin pens, comes with a #5 nib that can be easily replaced, and it’s a CC pen. Perfect for taking to work. My only gripe is that it doesn’t post deep, otherwise a pretty decent pen for around 1k INR. Size comparison with a lamy safari/vista.

 

 

Mohi Black Current

Mohi Black Current (not currant), a well made cigar shaped ebonite pen, the best part about Mohi pens is the nib. I got a chance to get 3 sections for one pen - Fine ED, Medium ED and a jowo threaded CC, so it’s a lot of pens in one. It’s simple, elegant and very functional. Mohi finishing is quite good, the Mohi F nib is IMHO the best fine nib outside of Japan.

 

Guide Pushkar

A unique push cap design, that yields a seamless section. Guider pens are inevitably well balanced, this one is a superlative writer. Absolutely adore it. Lakshman sir ensures all Schmidt nibs from Guider are working well (something many pen makers ignore), all of their Schmidt nibs perform better or on par with jowo/bock. You can hold the pen anywhere, no steps no threads, it’s such an elegant design, but apparently very difficult to execute, hence not popular. Here’s a medium Pushkar (left) and Large (right).

 

 

[metalhead]

Kanwrite Legacy

Kanwrite Legacy, elegantly designed ebonite pen. I like Kanwrite ebonite finishing and polish, the pen is a delight to touch. Again, as expected, the nib is the hero without this design (currently sporting an OM nib). Solid comfortable performer. I think legacy is the best Kanwrite nib holder. It comes with a pretty big ink capacity, and one feels in good control while writing.

 

 

Gama Madras / PLP Jumbo

This pen adds a bit of colour to life like the colourful and vibrant city of Chennai, it’s Gama Madras (or for people who dislike Gama)/ PLP Jumbo. It’s a girthy pen, 14mm section. They say that girthy pens help with hand and wrist pain, it’s definitely true for me - as i get older i prefer broader sections. The rings on the pen aren’t stable, there are pockmarks on the body, but the writing experience is stellar. Madras is ED only, Jumbo on the other hand is a CC filled pen.

 

 

Kanwrite Mammoth

It’s Mammoth time! a big girthy pen for people who like big girthy pens, the nib is a huge #9 thumbelina of a nib. I got it for the size but kept it for the generous wet flow of ink and good hand-writing control. The nib is a product of great engineering and only a very few non makers can attempt this let alone release it in the wild, kudos to Kanpur Writers. Alone in photos, the pen looks harmless and simple enough, but to depict how “magnified” it is IRL, here’s the M600 nib next to it, and the whole of an Aero which is perhaps heavier than the Mammoth. Kanwrite finish on ebonite is very nice to the touch. Pen is a little bit too long, could be an inch shorter, but one can live with it. What one can’t live with is the hideous cap design. Could have stayed straight and elegant. Still it’s a good stay at home companion.

 

 

PLP Solid Ebonite

 

If you are looking for a well balanced durable Jowo ( or KW) nib holder, this is the best pocket friendly option. PLP quality and finish surpasses most others. The one on left (black) was made clipless on request. Size of pen and section are perfect for daily carry and writing for hours. Both are CC fillers, although they make ED versions as well. This is the Indian version of No nonsense, just the pen 🙂

 

 

Woodex #39

The next pen is the veritable Woodex #39, in black matte and no fancy metal or colours. This is a big pen, and comes with Ambitious 40mm nib, writes F to M. Woodex craftsmanship is one of the best, the matte finish on this pen is unique and really nice to the touch. While big in size, the pen is deceptively light and very comfortable to use. The wood-like brushed/matte finish is unique, and very comfortable to hold. And a comparison to another pen that comes with a 40mm nib, ASA Samrat. Both are good pens. If you were looking for a 40mm nib in your collection, the woodex wins it for me with a comfortable section, finish and weight balance.

 

 

[metalhead]

Click Renaissance

Renaissance is IMHO the best pen Click makes. These are flat tops, very similar to ASA Maya, lightweight EDC pens that can take a lot. CC fill as well as EDs if you want. Come in decent colours. I like the Broad nib on this pen. Very comfortable pen.

 

Lotus Shikhar

 

From my favourite Indian fountain pen maker, its the Lotus Shikhar. this one is a black in nikko ebonite, with satin finish. over the last 2-3 years i have this one perennially inked and with different nibs. the satin finish is sans-pareil. Lotus attitude towards quality control IMHO is world class, craftsmanship is visible in all their pens. I like this Shikhar because of the girth of the section, and the great balance and ebonite finish to touch.

 

 

 

 

Ranga 4CS

 

Another gem from Ranga, perhaps their most economical option, the 4CS. Model 4, curved and slim (10mm section). This is a very lightweight, slim design that’s a perfect carry for work. CC can be ED. Clip, can be clipless. You can get it in all kinds of ebonites and acrylics, german and indian nibs. Make your own pen!

Its one of the lightest pens I have i think it weighs less than 10g uncapped. and long section to find your best spot, from 12mm to 10 mm.

 

 

 

Gama Kuyil

This pen is inspired by the cuckoo bird, Kuyil, its my favourite Gama pen. Its an ED. Its not a small pen, for people who want a bigger pen but are not committed enough to get a Zimbo or Supreme, this is a good size. All black and only a chrome clip for trims, its as minimalistic as Gama makes anything. Simple and beautiful profile. for size comparison, here’s Kuyil on left with a KW Heritage.

 

Lotus Student

Student is a classic flat top design, pleasant lines, modular good looking pen, its simplicity and ease of use are the USP.

 

 

Bonus, Indian nib sizes in a picture (barring the Magna Carta #10 nib, which I am unable to afford ATM)

 

[K Singh]

So many ebonites in here. Nice 👍 

[Harish N V]

Oh. A really lovely list over there. Thanks for taking the effort to do a micro review of so many pens at a time. 

[mhguda]

Wow. Thank you for showcasing these. An impressive list!

I'm glad I discovered some of these for myself, about ten years ago, and can say that most of them are still a mainstay of my writing experience. All sizes, and many nib sizes. Keep up the good work!

[tommym]

Thank you for the time and effort you put into showing these pens. Very much appreciated!

 

12 hours ago, metalhead said:

I feel that we are in the last decade of Indian hand-made ebonite craftsmanship, unless more people get attracted to these simple, rustic-even devices.

 

That's the feeling I got when I first found out about hand-turned Indian ebonite fountain pens, specially dedicated eyedroppers. That's why I've been binge-purchasing these pens while I have the funds to do so.

 

12 hours ago, metalhead said:

Gama Madras / PLP Jumbo

This pen adds a bit of colour to life like the colourful and vibrant city of Chennai, it’s Gama Madras (or for people who dislike Gama)/ PLP Jumbo. It’s a girthy pen, 14mm section. They say that girthy pens help with hand and wrist pain, it’s definitely true for me - as i get older i prefer broader sections. The rings on the pen aren’t stable, there are pockmarks on the body, but the writing experience is stellar. Madras is ED only, Jumbo on the other hand is a CC filled pen.

 

For those who are considering one of these pens, the PLP Jumbo is also available as a dedicated eyedropper.

 

11 hours ago, metalhead said:

Ranga 4CS

 

Another gem from Ranga, perhaps their most economical option, the 4CS. Model 4, curved and slim (10mm section). This is a very lightweight, slim design that’s a perfect carry for work. CC can be ED. Clip, can be clipless. You can get it in all kinds of ebonites and acrylics, german and indian nibs. Make your own pen!

Its one of the lightest pens I have i think it weighs less than 10g uncapped. and long section to find your best spot, from 12mm to 10 mm.

. 

The Ranga 4CS is my favorite! For me, its design bridges the gap between vintage and modern, especially with paired with some of Ranga's old-school Ripple Ebonites. I fear that with Ranga's focus on newer, more readily available alternate materials such as acrylics, resins, metals, etc., these old-school Ripple Ebonites may sooner than later disappear from the ranks. 

 

Tommy 

 

 

[gillum51]

i hadn't heard that Airmail stopped making pens.  I have several of them and always enjoyed using them, particularly the Model 69A.  i would agree that their nibs were inconsistent however.  

[Mechanical]

These are beautiful pens. Wow!  It's dangerous for me to read this kind of thread full of ebonite wonders, and thus... I have followed it.

[hari317]

Enjoyed reading through the reviews. Thanks for sharing.