Ebonite Pen Section Adjustment

[Mongoosey]

Hello,

 

I have this Ranga Pen that I've used for some time, but there's something I wish I could change about it to make it better suited for me...

 

What I want to change is how the flare at the bottom of the section angles out. Right now, the area where the section tapers to a flare doesn't contour the fingers well so it never feels like I have a secure grip.

 

It would require a very minute change to make that section taper and then flare to contour the fingers. is there any place I can send the pen to have this done?

 

I like how the section flares out, but it doesn't contour the fingers well like an Aurora or a Safari or a Karas K. Decograph. Trying to write with it for long is like trying to find the right position for your fingers but never being able to and never getting comfortable and I need to place my fingers at the flare of the section.

 

I love the pen, but I need to get this "fixed" for to truly be able to use it.

Edited June 1, 2019 by Mongoosey

[Karmachanic]

Curious. Do you write with your fingers?

[Mongoosey]

Curious. Do you write with your fingers?

 

No.

[Karmachanic]

Good!

In my experience, balancing the pen between the web of my hand and bent second finger obviates the need for a tight grip with thumb and forefinger. My thumb and forefinger gently prevent the pen from moving around. No need for a "secure" grip.

 

Holding this way usually results in holding higher up the section.

 

This hold also allows me to write with next to no downward pressure on the nib. A light hand!

[Mongoosey]

It's a good suggestion implied. I do do that.

 

The Lamy Vista taught me how to write with my arm. It makes life much easier and I understand why you bring it up.

 

But the flares of this Ranga weren't quite etched carefully enough to give it that "at home" feeling the flares of the Vista do. I've felt that "at home" feeling with other pens.

 

Despite that the Ranga's still a good pen I'll keep in my Daily Rotation. The Ebonite material makes that possible since it provides such a nice grip.

 

But I wanted to bring up this idea of "finishing" that section shape and see if it's even a possibility. Might not be.

[Greenie]

Those of us who do lathe work can change the contour. The length of the section and the diameter of the end will need to remain the same. But that step can be taken out.

 

Sounds like you want it to be this shape.

 

[Mongoosey]

Those of us who do lathe work can change the contour. The length of the section and the diameter of the end will need to remain the same. But that step can be taken out.

 

Sounds like you want it to be this shape.

 

 

That's what I'm talking about, yes.

 

If you held my Ranga you'd notice that it just misses contouring the fingers. It's close, but you'd feel it doesn't quite fit right at the flare.

Edited June 3, 2019 by Mongoosey

[Greenie]

PM me.

[sansenri]

Alternatively, if you care to risk sending it back, ask Ranga.

I'm 100% positive they would modify it for you, but you need to explain very very carefully what you want them to do to it.

 

Out of curiosity, which Ranga model is it? I have several Ranga but I don't have one with that type of section.

Edited June 4, 2019 by sansenri

[Mongoosey]

Alternatively, if you care to risk sending it back, ask Ranga.

I'm 100% positive they would modify it for you, but you need to explain very very carefully what you want them to do to it.

 

Out of curiosity, which Ranga model is it? I have several Ranga but I don't have one with that type of section.

 

I appreciate the suggestion, but no need. I've tried to communicate this idea to them, but it was very challenging to get an understanding from them.

 

It's a custom model 3, that's basically the Davenport with the section from their Designer model you can see listed towards the bottom of this page:

 

https://www.peytonstreetpens.com/range-indian-ebonite.html

[fabri00]

Hard rubber is not a hard material.

Lathe is ideal, but you can also use sand-paper tighted around the part you want to smotth and turning it on sand paper.

[Greenie]

You can also put the section in a drill chuck to use as a substitute for a lathe, and sand it down slowly as it turns.

[Greenie]

Turned out well, IMHO.

 

[Mongoosey]

Turned out well, IMHO.

 

 

That's a beauty.

[Mongoosey]

The modification is adeptly crafted. Thank you!

 

It may be small, but it's far from an insignificant modification, and as the feel of a nib can change dramatically with 0.1 mm of tipping, so has the feel of this pen in hand at this focal point of a grip.

 

I find this new contour of the flares works like my Lamy Vista to contour the angle of side to side movement making it much more effortless for that side to side movement necessary for good handwriting posture.

 

I find that very helpful for when my hand fatigues, which tends to happen more easily and why I originally got into fountain pens.

 

Here are some more photos of this rejuvenating modification:

 

 

Edited June 12, 2019 by Mongoosey