Review Of The Asa Azaadi In Opal

[Dupontdelamare]

As a newbie to Indian pens would it be fair, Bobje, to consider this opal Azaadi as a beautiful interestingly named variant of the Asa I Can, the Deccan Advocate and the Ranga M3 style of pen? I read that both you, and FPN member Arunura, agree that the concave waisted section of the I Can is more comfortable than that of the Deccan, although possibly too slim for larger hands, as you both explain here :

https://tinyurl.com/ybs2w6cw

The Azaadi seems to keep this same shaped section, although fractionally longer (by 3mm) and thicker (by 1.5mm), so possibly better for larger hands or those (myself included) who hold their pens further back? as Prithwijit describes here

https://tinyurl.com/ycrsb39y

Your Opal Azaadi version of this is exceptionally beautiful and well chosen, however, as I enjoy the warm comfort and robustness of ebonite, I mused on how an ebonite version of your beautiful Azaadi might be; and then I stumbled across your Olive ebonite Ranga Emperor review, and my question seemed almost answered, here

https://tinyurl.com/yd278qfk

Struck by a similar reserved elegant colour choice for both these pens. I felt you might be experimenting with a similar line of thought?

The Emperor, however, appears to be 5mm longer and 2mm slimmer than the Azaadi; but its shorter straighter section with just a gentle slope could be less comfortable for a writer used to the I Can? Even if I imagine there will be those preferring the Emperor’s straighter section and smoother transition from the body, when compared to the Azaadi with its small step down from the body near the thread, as shown in Prithwijit’s review of it, see above.

There seems to be an almost equal regret about the quality of the "furniture" in your review of both pens, even if some may prefer the more discrete chrome trim as on the Emperor (Visvamitra). This is why, personally, I think I would perhaps prefer the ringless cap of your Opal Azaadi over thé group buy model, or even over that of your chrome ringed Emperor, Bobje.

Finally, beyond the writing experience there may well be those like myself who salute the notions evoked by the well named Azaadi (independence, freedom or liberty, as you so eloquently explain) who will be less impressed by those almost antonymous associations resonating with the name Emperor. Although, unless balance and writing qualities are at least equal I am not sure my Azaadi sympathies will rule out the Emperor.

Apologies for this clumsy attempt at grasping similarities and differences, but I would be interested in any comparative experiences of these pens even if hand size and writing style may be more significant than any pen shape or size variation.

Regards

Dupontdelamare

[bobje]

Dupont, thank you for the detailed questions. I do not own the I Can, Advocate, or Ranga Model 3. Because the furniture on Indian pens often does not match the craftsmanship, I prefer to use silver wrap rings as roll stops rather than clips. In terms of the Ranga Emperor and ASA Azaadi, both are comfortable writers.

[Dupontdelamare]

Your silver or bronze wraps do look good, and I suppose these pens are a little too long for pockets, so clips unnecessary. Although I notice you seem to use them on cigare shaped caps (Nauka, Halva), but not I think on flat top (Azaadi, or Emperor)? Perhaps, certain shapes work better with ring stops? Thanks for your replies, Bobje.