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:



The pen posted:



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



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






Comments are welcome.

Cheers,
Hari

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,

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

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.



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 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.

Hari

Where can someone purchase one of these pens?

John

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

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

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