My First Group Buy: need suggestions

[Triplesss]

Dear All,

Happy New Year!

 

I’m planning to participate in my first Group buy from Ranga Pens. While the selection process seems straightforward, I’m a bit overwhelmed by the options and unsure which configuration to choose.

I’m interested in the ebonite version, but I’m not sure which nib choice is best suited for me — Ranga, Bock, Schmidt, Jowo, etc. I’m also uncertain about feeds, clips, and other options.

 

For reference, I currently have a simple ED Gama Eyas among other Indian and Chinese FPs,

 

If you have experience with previous group buys or recommendations on nibs/feeds that work well with Ranga pens, I’d really appreciate your insights.

 

Thank you!

 

[hari317]

3 hours ago, Triplesss said:

I’m interested in the ebonite version, but I’m not sure which nib choice is best suited for me — Ranga, Bock, Schmidt, Jowo, etc. I’m also uncertain about feeds, clips, and other options.

Ranga nib unit OEM is kanwrite. Advantage is nice Ranga logo on nib

Opt for the plastic feed (if going with Ranga nib)

Among Bock/JoWo/Schmidt I would recommend JoWo for a beginner.

M is a safe choice.

Clip or Clipless are the only options. I prefer with clips.

Hope this helps.

 

 

[tommym]

On 1/2/2026 at 12:59 AM, hari317 said:

Ranga nib unit OEM is kanwrite. Advantage is nice Ranga logo on nib

Opt for the plastic feed (if going with Ranga nib)

Among Bock/JoWo/Schmidt I would recommend JoWo for a beginner.

M is a safe choice.

Clip or Clipless are the only options. I prefer with clips.

Hope this helps.

 

 

 

Along those lines, I also recommend the screw-in JoWo nib units for the beginner. Being able to easily convert from an ink converter to an eyedropper is definitely a perk. I found that unless you're using a very dry ink, the plastic feed works just fine, even with JoWo's 1.1 and 1.5 Stub nibs. Also, I found it much easier and cheaper to find replacement nibs and feeds for the JoWo units than with the Bock and Schmidt units.

 

Ranga branded nibs

 

1. The Ranga Logo displaces the nib size designation so far down on the nib, that the nib size designation sometimes ends up hidden within the plastic housing. For some, it's not an issue, but for me it became an issue as my Ranga branded nib collection expanded. I started to lose track of what nib size I had installed in my various Ranga pens.

 

2. The Ranga nib (being Kanwrite based) is available with a Bock or Jowo threaded housing.  I just stick to the Jowo threaded housing to allow me to quickly swap out my various OEM JoWo nib/feed housings should the need arise. If you're a Bock fan and already have some spare OEM Bock nib/feed housings, then request the Bock threaded housing. Note that though the exterior dimensions and threading of the Kanwrite provided housings match the OEM JoWo and Bock exterior specs respectively, the internal dimensions (nib/feed/notching/etc.) are proprietary to Kanwrite. 

 

Ranga Clips

 

I have a few clipless Ranga Pens but generally prefer them with clips. All of my Ranga pens, have Chrome clips regardless of the nib color.  I don't post my Ranga pens, so if there is a color mismatch between the nib and the clip, I don't see it when I use the pens.

 

 

Tommy

 

[Triplesss]

On 1/2/2026 at 4:29 PM, hari317 said:

Ranga nib unit OEM is kanwrite. Advantage is nice Ranga logo on nib

Opt for the plastic feed (if going with Ranga nib)

Among Bock/JoWo/Schmidt I would recommend JoWo for a beginner.

M is a safe choice.

Clip or Clipless are the only options. I prefer with clips.

Hope this helps.

 

 

Thanks. Appreciate your response.

Can you kindly explain why you reccomend plastic feeds and not ebonite feeds with ranga nibs?

 

Thanks.

[nm4]

I really like the 1.5mm Jowo nib with plastic feed.  The flow is generous but there is no burping as sometimes happens with the ebonite feeds.  Also unless you really like the matte finish I would recommend the gloss finish ebonite.  I find the new, larger Range clips are less attractive than the older smaller ones (which had less prominent Ranga branding as well) - they may still be able to fit one of the older clips (You can ask - they are very obliging).  As with Tommy above I prefer mine with clips for practical reasons.

 

Also I'd recommend one of the models with fewer twists to remove the cap - some of my older ones seem to have to turn forever before I can remove the cap.

 

N

[hari317]

14 hours ago, Triplesss said:

Can you kindly explain why you reccomend plastic feeds and not ebonite feeds with ranga nibs?

 

It is cheaper and makes little difference with F and M nibs.

[bugsydog55]

The question of preferring plastic or ebonite feeds depends on how much functionality you would require from your pen.  The plastic feed would give you the ability to use cartridges, a converter or even eyedropper the pen if you would prefer.  The plastic feed allows for a more robust back up system in the ink/air exchange and wiil help avoid burps and such things when the pen is used in eyedropper mode.  Ebonite feeds used to found almost exclusively on eyedropper pens.  Not anymore.  They deliver a more direct ink flow to the nib and generally write wetter than plastic feeds.  In eyedropper pens it's that direct flow that would cause ink to push out through the nib as you used the pen and your hand slowly warm the pen causing the air inside to expand.  For my purposes, I go to Ranga and other Indian pen makers for their products made with the traditional eyedropper system.  I have hundreds of cartridge /converter pens.  I go these pen makers for their skills and craftsmanship, not because they can make something that will hold another C/C system I already own.

[tommym]

1 hour ago, bugsydog55 said:

The question of preferring plastic or ebonite feeds depends on how much functionality you would require from your pen.  The plastic feed would give you the ability to use cartridges, a converter or even eyedropper the pen if you would prefer.  The plastic feed allows for a more robust back up system in the ink/air exchange and wiil help avoid burps and such things when the pen is used in eyedropper mode.  Ebonite feeds used to found almost exclusively on eyedropper pens.  Not anymore.  They deliver a more direct ink flow to the nib and generally write wetter than plastic feeds.  In eyedropper pens it's that direct flow that would cause ink to push out through the nib as you used the pen and your hand slowly warm the pen causing the air inside to expand.  For my purposes, I go to Ranga and other Indian pen makers for their products made with the traditional eyedropper system.  I have hundreds of cartridge /converter pens.  I go these pen makers for their skills and craftsmanship, not because they can make something that will hold another C/C system I already own.

 

 

FYI...

 

My understanding is that Ranga no longer produces dedicated eyedropper pens. When I ordered my first dedicated eyedropper pens a few years ago, I decided to go with Ranga again as I was 100% satisfied with my previous Ranga purchases (screw-in C/C units) prior to that. However, when I order the pen, I was told it would be one of their last as they would move on exclusively to screw-in C/C units after their existing stock of dedicated eyedropper pens was depleted.  What a bummer to hear that! That is the only reason why I branched out to other makers such as PLP, as they still give you both options with many of their pen models. If it wasn't for that, my India pen collection would be 100% Ranga! That was my goal! Oh, well...

 

Tommy

[bugsydog55]

I was not aware of that but so be it.  The option is still there and it is less messy with that plastic feed.  It's just not as "traditional".  I also have done business with PLP.  I currently have 10 of their pens spread through their assorted models.  I am quite pleased with them and I was glad to send them my business. Most recent acquisition has been a Guider Super Zimbo in clear acrylic.  It's an outstanding pen with a ridiculously small clip on it.  That acts as a roll stop, not for any other purpose.  It's now the biggest piece of clear acrylic I own.  It was priced at a super deal for the holidays at FPR and I couldn't resist.  It is an eyedropper only model and will never leave my home.  It will join a few hundred "Made in India" ebonite and acrylic pens that I have in cases.  I am not counting things like student pens or less expensive Click, Airmail, Fellowship, Oliver, Camlin and other pens.  I like using those also.  The challenge with those is to get the nibs smoothed up.  Once that is accomplished, even the least expensive pen can provide a suitable writing experience.

[sansenri]

I have a number of Ranga eyedropper pens with ebonite feed, I also like them because they are different from the rest of too many CC pens with Jowo nibs.
Nonetheless if you are just starting, the Jowo nib option is probably safest (good nibs, can be swapped easily, can be eyedroppered if you wish). I have a number of these too, both Jowo and Bock nibs.
Ebonite is very nice, standard and special is more "traditional" but premium ebonite is worth the effort as it's very nice looking and smooth in the hand).

Regarding clips, preference is really personal, I tend to think that Ranga pens are usually quite big, so much so that it's really hard to use a clip, the pens are longer than your pocket and the clip will not engage most of the time! Moreover, Ranga's clips tend to be very basic, nothing fancy/elegant, and an ebonite pen with its wonderfur swirls looks so much better/cleaner without a clip!

 

 

[bugsydog55]

I agree.  I generally use the clips as roll stops since I rarely take any of the larger ebonite pens out of the house.  I have taken smaller, older ebonite pens into the outside world but only with them topped off and prepared for a days use.  I want no surprises.  These are slim pens made decades ago that I grabbed on line because people didn't know what they.  They looked like junk plastic but underneath all the grime was black ebonite and a small gold nib.  Perfect pocket pens with a little TLC and patience.  Doesn't have to be new to get a great experience.  I have "rescued" more than a few Ranga's and other's from bins and auctions.  I will continue to add to my collection because there is always room for another pen and, if there isn't, then it's time to get another case.