Ratnamson "Kalam"

[hari317]

I have to thank FPN for leading me to these desk pens. A recently joined member from India posted about the Ratnamson Ebonite desk pens known as Kalam(which is the Urdu/Hindi word for pen).

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Desk/P1000360.jpg

I did not know that Ratnamson made deskpens, I immediately called Sri KV Ramanamurthy and placed my order for the same. The deskpens are not their regular product as there is very little demand for them.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Desk/P1000354.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Desk/P1000355.jpg

I was told that these pens were only made when a newly appointed judge of the Indian Judiciary assumes charge and a set of three pens is ordered. One pen each for Red, Green and Black inks. Mr. Ramanamurthy makes only the desk pens and I had to find my own desk holder. After some searching in the shops of Mumbai, I was lucky to find a Wislon desk set base for just Rs60/-. Again this was the last piece the shop had with no intention to procure more due to it being slow moving. The deskpens come in ED version or dip pen version, I chose the ED option.

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Desk/P1000356.jpg

 

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii197/hari317/Ratnam%20Desk/P1000358.jpg

The pens are around 6 inch in length and have a VERY comfortable grip due to the ample and generously tapering section. They hold approx 3 ml of ink. My pens came fitted with IP Steel nibs, optionally Gold nibbed versions can also be made.

 

As an interesting aside, whenever a judge pronounces the death sentence, the pen used to sign it is specially ordered for the act, the pen nib is broken on the judgement and the pen is totally destroyed afterwards!

 

[goodguy]

What an interesting set of pens.

 

A spooky ritual about the death sentence,thank god here in Canada we dont have that (but thats a different matter).

 

Thank you for the unique review.

[pankajwillis]

Not to be off topic, but I have never ever heard of any one receiving capital punishment in India. There is a wikipedia article on this:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_India

 

 

 

[shrujaya]

Hari...I am going to pick up my phone and call u know who tomorrow...the twins look good and u were fortunate to find that pen holder...good going maan...I had heard about that ritual...what did the poor pen do? why break an innocent pen for the wrong doings of human beings...? and such nice pens too...

 

Regards...

 

Jai

[hari317]

...but I have never ever heard of any one receiving capital punishment in India.

 

Definitely off topic, but As the wiki article says it is rare (but not non-existant), capital punishment is meted out in the rarest of rare cases. e.g. the Dhananjoy Chowdhury case in 2004 which was fairly recent.

 

Best,

Hari

 

 

[Abhik]

Dear Hari!

A nice review of an unusual pen-sets! My question is if Ratnamson does not provide pen holders for desk sets, who used to make those flute and bases for their pens?

Shape of those pens are really intriguing!

Thanks for sharing!

Abhik.

[hari317]

My question is if Ratnamson does not provide pen holders for desk sets, who used to make those flute and bases for their pens?

 

Thanks Abhik! The desk pens are a special order item. I think they may have made some base sets in the past but are currently unable to supply so basically you have to find your own. The pens are 7/16 inch size (dia) so the pens fit the Wilson units like a hand in glove. For more information you can always email Dr. Ramanamurthy: ratnamballpen@yahoo.co.in

 

Best,

Hari

 

 

[barbarossa]

Death penalty is in the rarest of the rare cases in India. The highest and most serious punishment is life imprisonment. Death penalty is given out for very harsh crimes like terrorist strikes. Nice information about the pen though!

[lovemy51]

hmmm, i missed this review back when...

 

... this is one of the nicest, minimalist pens i've ever seen! thanx for showing it, Hari.

[Ed Ronax]

Nice set, thanks for the review.

[rahulg]

Very informative and interesting, as usual. Thanks Hari!

 

Regards,

 

Rahul G

[Highbinder]

Not to be off topic, but I have never ever heard of any one receiving capital punishment in India. There is a wikipedia article on this:

 

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_India" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_India</a>

 

Quoting wikipedia as a reliable source is not a good idea.