Ratnam Jumbo ED

[hari317]

This pen is made by KV Brahmam and Bros: "The Ratnam Pen works" in Rajahmundy. I call them the original Ratnams since it is this company that hold the rights to use the brand name "RATNAM". The other company is "Ratnam Ballpen works" which makes FPs under the brand name "RATNAMSON".

 

A few words about the pen:

 

Needless to say this pen is made of Black Ebonite. It is the largest regular size made by them; 6 1/2 inches capped and 7 1/2 inches posted. The pen is very light in weight and its nib is generously large at size 12. The nib shape is made to mimic the MB149. Here are some photos...

 

The Ratnam along with an Old style gold nibbed Rotring 600:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0472_1.jpg

 

 

The pen posted:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0480_1.jpg

 

 

The nib detail; nib is made by Ambitious, This nib is not stock, I got it specially fitted:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0483_1.jpg

 

 

The pen taken apart; the barrel material is quite thick and should last ages:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0499_1.jpg

 

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0501_1.jpg

 

 

Comments are welcome.

 

Cheers,

Hari

Edited April 11, 2008 by hari317

[susegad]

 

Hari,

 

How well does it write?

 

I have 2 Ratnamson pens, the 302 with a Steel nib and the 32 with the gold nib. I have had issues with both pens when writing.

 

Do let us know how it writes.

 

Thanks,

Edited April 11, 2008 by susegad

[Abhik]

Hari, nice photos! Thanks for sharing. How does it differs in terms of writing & build quality from Ratnamsons pens?

I have too a no 32 with 14 k gold nib from Ratnamsons! I am very pleased with it writing!

How much it costs in steel nib & gold nib?

Thanks again,

Abhik

[hari317]

...How well does it write?...I have 2 Ratnamson pens, the 302 with a Steel nib and the 32 with the gold nib. I have had issues with both pens when writing.

 

Susegad, The stock nib with this pen was a large IPG steel nib which was very scratchy and made of very thin steel stock. Hence, I got the nib replaced with the present one. Now the pen is an extremely good writer with good ergonomics(due to the large size of the nib which I find comfortable), though I find the pen itself too large to carry to work in my shirt pocket.

 

You may have some issues with the steel nibbed Ratnamsons, since it is a matter of luck which nib you get, but your gold nibbed pen should be flawless since a lot of care is supposed to have gone into making it. So I suggest if you are in India, call Mr. Ramanamurthy, explain the problem and send the pen back for adjustment. Do let us know if your problem got sorted out.

 

How does it differs in terms of writing & build quality from Ratnamsons pens?

 

In my personal opinion, based on the very small number of samples that I have seen from both the manufacturers, Ratnamson's fit, finish and performance is superior to Ratnam. I have not ordered any gold nibbed RATNAM so I have no idea about them but I am sure they will be way better than their steel nibbed cousins.

 

Overall IMHO it may not be a good idea to order a steel nibbed Ratnam/Ratnamson unless you have access to some good nibs and feeds that you can fit yourself. At the ridiculously low price the steel pens are sold, the manufacturer may not be able to afford higher quality levels. It is a different story with the gold pens where the profit margins are higher and hence better care and attention is paid.

 

Cheers,

Hari

 

[Abhik]

Hari, I have another question! Do you think Ratnamsons(and Ratnam) can make a pen without cap band and clip?

Why they can not adopt a similar flow control mechanism like Dani? Cost? Technical problem?

What is your information and knowledge says?

Warm wishes!

Abhik.

[Aslan]

Hari

 

Where can someone purchase one of these pens?

 

John

[hari317]

Hari, I have another question! Do you think Ratnamsons(and Ratnam) can make a pen without cap band and clip? Why they can not adopt a similar flow control mechanism like Dani? Cost? Technical problem?

 

Of course they can make w/o clip and trim, in fact if you make/provide a technical manufacturing drawing for a pen design, they can fabricate it. It all depends on the size of the pen since Ebonite blank hollow/solid rods are available in a length of around 6 inches as I understand. Of course higher than normal making charges will be involved.

 

By Flow control I think you mean the safety shutoff mechanism. I have never handled a Dani or any other Japanese ED (though I would love to...) so I don't know how it is fabricated and the issues involved and also the material used for the shutoff valve. But it may only be a matter of introducing the pen makers here about such mechanisms. It may also mean that the parts have to be produced to tighter tolerances.

 

I believe they are essentially craftsmen/goldsmiths who follow well established traditional methods/technology that works and may be reluctant to innovate technically since they have no R&D support. Also the more complex the mechanism more costly it becomes to produce and makes it more difficult to find a market for it.

 

Best Regards,

Hari

 

 

 

 

 

 

[hari317]

Where can someone purchase one of these pens?

 

AFAIK, These pens have to be directly ordered from the manufacturer and they do not export. You may have to request any member from India to get one across to you.

 

Best,

Hari

 

 

[susegad]

...How well does it write?...I have 2 Ratnamson pens, the 302 with a Steel nib and the 32 with the gold nib. I have had issues with both pens when writing.

 

Susegad, The stock nib with this pen was a large IPG steel nib which was very scratchy and made of very thin steel stock. Hence, I got the nib replaced with the present one. Now the pen is an extremely good writer with good ergonomics(due to the large size of the nib which I find comfortable), though I find the pen itself too large to carry to work in my shirt pocket.

 

You may have some issues with the steel nibbed Ratnamsons, since it is a matter of luck which nib you get, but your gold nibbed pen should be flawless since a lot of care is supposed to have gone into making it. So I suggest if you are in India, call Mr. Ramanamurthy, explain the problem and send the pen back for adjustment. Do let us know if your problem got sorted out.

 

How does it differs in terms of writing & build quality from Ratnamsons pens?

 

In my personal opinion, based on the very small number of samples that I have seen from both the manufacturers, Ratnamson's fit, finish and performance is superior to Ratnam. I have not ordered any gold nibbed RATNAM so I have no idea about them but I am sure they will be way better than their steel nibbed cousins.

 

Overall IMHO it may not be a good idea to order a steel nibbed Ratnam/Ratnamson unless you have access to some good nibs and feeds that you can fit yourself. At the ridiculously low price the steel pens are sold, the manufacturer may not be able to afford higher quality levels. It is a different story with the gold pens where the profit margins are higher and hence better care and attention is paid.

 

Cheers,

Hari

 

Hari,

 

I am not in India, but the next time I go to India I will try calling him and see if he is willing to make the necessary adjustments to the nib.

 

-Carlos

 

[bfcarlog]

Hi Hari,

Where could I buy an steel nib like the one (12 size) you fitted to to your Ratnam Jumbo ED pen?

Thank you,

 

Carlos

[hari317]

Hi Hari,

Where could I buy an steel nib like the one (12 size) you fitted to to your Ratnam Jumbo ED pen?

Thank you,

 

Carlos

 

Deccan Pens in Hyderabad usually have these nibs in stock. They will gladly fit it to your pen.

 

Best,

Hari

 

 

[ashishwakhlu]

Dear Hari,

 

I am interested to purchase the Jumbo ED Ratnam, can you send me the address. catalogue.

 

thanks

 

Ashish

 

This pen is made by KV Brahmam and Bros: "The Ratnam Pen works" in Rajahmundy. I call them the original Ratnams since it is this company that hold the rights to use the brand name "RATNAM". The other company is "Ratnam Ballpen works" which makes FPs under the brand name "RATNAMSON".

 

A few words about the pen:

 

Needless to say this pen is made of Black Ebonite. It is the largest regular size made by them; 6 1/2 inches capped and 7 1/2 inches posted. The pen is very light in weight and its nib is generously large at size 12. The nib shape is made to mimic the MB149. Here are some photos...

 

The Ratnam along with an Old style gold nibbed Rotring 600:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0472_1.jpg

 

 

The pen posted:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0480_1.jpg

 

 

The nib detail; nib is made by Ambitious, This nib is not stock, I got it specially fitted:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0483_1.jpg

 

 

The pen taken apart; the barrel material is quite thick and should last ages:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0499_1.jpg

 

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Jumbo/IMG_0501_1.jpg

 

 

Comments are welcome.

 

Cheers,

Hari

 

[altecniblick]

Attractive pen. Can anyone explain to me what "size 12" means? I didn't realize there was anything other than vague notions of fine, medium etc.

[hari317]

I am interested to purchase the Jumbo ED Ratnam, can you send me the address. catalogue.

 

Ashish, send me a PM and I will give you the tel.number of the manufacturer Mr Sreeramachandramurthy.

 

Can anyone explain to me what "size 12" means? I didn't realize there was anything other than vague notions of fine, medium etc.

 

Size 12 also called no 40 nib(40mm length) is the physical size of the nib. Fine/Medium/Broad etc. is the size of the nib's tipping which determines how fat or thin a line the nib would put on paper.

 

Best,

Hari

Edited July 15, 2009 by hari317

[altecniblick]

Thanks Hari. The FPN is a fount of knowledge.

[Ranvir]

After reading about Ratnam Pens on the Mont Blanc Forum about the Gandhi limited editions, I am interested in the Ratnam pens.

 

Can someone help me with the website for Ratnam Pens?

[hari317]

Can someone help me with the website for Ratnam Pens?

 

They have no website, searching for Ratnam in the photography forum itself will yield you all the information.

 

Best,

Hari