Ranga Splendour in Green Stripes Acrylic • Fountain Pen Review

[@wanyman]

Another great video. I have an anxiety disorder and I find your voice has a very calming effect. Thank you for that. In all seriousness I consider you to be the Bob Ross of the pen world. I hope you don’t mind. God bless, brother.

[@JG3Reviews]

Thank you, glad to know good comes from these. It's funny, I've had several people make the Bob Ross connection, and my kids love that. God bless you, too!

[@Volkmannx]

A Ranga is next on my wishlist!

[@nibs4noobs585]

I got my first Ranga pen, a Model 3 in swirled ebonite, last month. Like yours, mine was tuned perfectly out of the box. I'm definitely going to order another soon, possibly a Bamboo.

[@kevinlandon7578]

James, thanks to your review of the Ranga Splendour fountain pen , I have added the Teal Ebonite model to my collection. My 1st pen purchase since last November!

[@brian6290]

Every time someone reviews a Ranga, they get a bunch of comments from satisfied Ranga owners, which tells you all you really need to know. My Splendour arrived this morning, and I'm absolutely delighted with it so far. I went with the #6 nib, but I imagine that the #8 would probably suit the proportions of the pen better, as it's considerably larger than my Ranga 3. Even the "freebie" pen they throw in is super userful to me, as with a finer nib than I usually like, it's great for doing the crossword in the newspaper.

[@VoluptuousLynn]

Your video sealed the deal for me it is my must have pen.

[@tim9059]

I recently bought a Ranga Bamboo Regular, in Chestnut acrylic. I absolutely love the pen, both in terms of appearance and performance. Only minor issue is, just as your pen, I need to be careful with the threads when recapping it.

[@viv_2489]

I always love the classic rounded cigar shaped pen.. i already own two ebonite Ranga pens 4C and Abhimanyu and i have recently ordered 3C model in solid polished black ebonite with medium Jowo nib.... Splendour looks to be the big brother of 3C..

[@allenl391]

Hi James Nice review. I recently received my Ranga Splendour and completely agree with your assessment of it. I purchased the white with black and tan stripes. I also went with the #8 Bock Titanium nib and just love writing with the pen. A special pen in my collection!

[@power4u977]

The moment you started writing, I recognised the ink. Lovely ain’t it! I use Oxford Blue with my Ranga Abhimanyu. Thanks for the review James!

[@davecharvella4854]

Love my Ranga's. Last count, I think I'm at seven. All ebonite, in various sizes and colors. The only solid one being my No. 5 in "red" ebonite. Great pens, great customer service!

[@Hosenbisla]

Own 5 big Ranga Pens, love all of them.

[@paulherman5822]

I really need to get an Indian pen... Other than the quirks that are STILL in the Noodler's pens I have seen so many great things from the Indian pen manufacturers. Ranga definitely has been around long enough that they're getting an international following, for good reason. Thanks for sharing this lovely pen! God bless, James, and have a great weekend!

[@brian6290]

I bought my first one with an Indian flex nib, and it's quirky like a Noodlers, which I'm not that keen on, so I've stuck with German nibs since then.

[@robbinallan3767]

Nice review James. I love Ranga pens. My first half dozen were dip pens, I used to testing inks in 2018. My most recent was the Blue stripes acrylic Abhimanyu. I've never had a bad one.

[@MonkeyFarmFrankenstein]

I dont have a Splendor, but I do have models 3, 4, 4C, and 9B. If you like oversized Indian pens, check out Vazir and Gama, especially the Gama Kuyil, Jumbo Acrylic, and Supreme.

[@tylerhelfers7693]

I have 3 Rangas (2 Ebonite and 1 Acrylic). All three are great everyday writers. Between these and some of the pens Vazir is putting out, there are some beautiful, well-made and (relatively speaking) affordable fountain pens coming out of India.

[@gregchristopher1961]

I bought the Ranga Splendour a few weeks ago. I am smitten. This has become a favorite pen, and has put all of my Pelikans back in the box. Now I am hoping to score the Ranga 5 with a #8 nib as soon as I have a few spare bucks.

[@JG3Reviews]

The only time I've ever been disappointed is when I pick it up and I've used all the ink. lol Such a great pen.

[@jimborge1]

I am a rather new fan of Ranga pens too. I have two Model 5 Rangas, and they are even larger than the Splendour, and they are clipless. I store them in my Galen Leather notebook cover because they will not fit in any other case or sleeve. I enjoyed the review.

[@AndrewWertheimer]

I agree with the presenter about you having a good voice and great content. It would be tempting to fall asleep with your review, except that I might wake up with a big Ranga order. Never had a Ranga, but I enjoy some Indian FPs like Gama and FPR. Aloha

[@cathiescott7382]

I have a Ranga 5 that is also huge in a blue acrylic. It has a nib that sings when I write and is one of my favorites. I got mine from a pen user releasing it so I didn’t get to enjoy opening the original box.

[@JG3Reviews]

The 5 looks like a nice pen. It's even larger, isn't it?

[@cathiescott7382]

Yes it is. It has a number 8 Bock nib

[@bharatc.sampat6406]

Excellent pens. Excellent. Must buy a Ranga. Half priced compared to Japanese and Italian equivalent. Better actually. Longer lasting

[@figoligeiro1477]

Very nice, thanks for the review!

[@BC7Bill]

I have 2 Rangas, both Ebonite pens. I like the way they look, I really like the way they write. This would be a price increase, so I'll need to be saving my allowance for a bit! 🙂Thanks for the review! (BTW, watching the video on Ranga's web site where he makes a pen is awesome!)

[@JG3Reviews]

That is a very cool video.

[@kauaiphotography]

Aloha James! A beautiful pen. Excellent color choice. I have two Ranga pens - an eyedropper only Ranga Model 3 in matte (bakul) ebonite and a Ranga Model 4C with a Bock (M) nib unit. The issue I am having with the Ranga 3 is that it leaks ink as the nib and feed are just friction fit in the grip section. Tried to heat set it, but the tolerance is just not right. Should of chosen a nib unit (Bock, JoWo or Kanwrite/Ranga) instead as that should negate any leaking? The Model 3 also has the issue of possibly over-tightening the cap. I later picked up a Model 4 from Pen Chalet, but this time in the polished ebonite in a solid crimson color. Unfortunately, I see some pitting or black spots, so not perfect, which I can accept, but at the same time I think it could be better done? I got the same Bock (M) as you and it writes just fine. The Model 4C has no step down between the cap and barrel, so it can only be tightened to where the two meet, so that alleviates the over-tightening danger. It's a larger pen like the Splendour, but the grip section seems to be about normal for a medium to large size pen. After seeing your nice pen in that arcrylic finish, I am tempted to order another Ranga! Have a wonderful weekend. Mahalo, Thomas

[@JG3Reviews]

Howdy, Thomas! Are the ebonite pens made in a way that the nib unit can be retrofit, or is the Indian nib installed in a way that it's not possible to change later (that would make sense to me)?

[@kauaiphotography]

@@JG3Reviews Aloha James! I'm sure my particular pen's grip section could be retrofitted to accept a nib unit as I believe (without measuring with calipers since I don't own one!) a nib unit would be larger diameter than just the friction fit nib and feed. I believe my grip section was bored (?) a bit too big and/or was not shaped right for the nib and feed, so it leaks ink at a good amount. The deeper than normal ink channel also doesn't help! I am wondering if the pen was tested before being shipped out? I have commented that Noodlers pens and FPR also have a similar issue with ink leakage. I am wondering if there's a way to use silicone grease to help seal the nib and feed, but being careful not to block the ink channel? Thanks for the question and all that you do for the fountain pen community. Mahalo, Thomas

[@robmc120]

I ordered a Ranga Bamboo from them but since i knew there was a Giant Bamboo model sold the smaller & got the bigger, clear version. Totally satisfied with both, both wrote well, no cracks/defects i could find, just wanted the bigger one, a lot like i want the m1000 even though i have the m800 pelikan stone garden. Great job with the review, not my style, but glad youre enjoying it, try eyedroppering it to see how long that lasts, my stub took a good month before running out. God bless James, keep those reviews coming!

[@JG3Reviews]

The Bamboo looks like an interesting pen, definitely unique. God bless you, too!

[@yuklimka7251]

I've had them on my radar for a while now, but there are a few pens from Taiwan that'll come first.

[@jacobus57]

Caps with a machined ledge that butts against the end of the section do not have cap liners. They are used in metal and injection molded pens.

[@GeorgeENorkus]

I'll have to check out this pen in more detail. My hands are very large and this sounds great!

[@JG3Reviews]

I think you'd like it, George.

[@shep_ultra]

I'm thinking about buying the Model 5 or the Splendour as my next big purchase, specifically with a #8. While I'm leaning towards the splendor because of the clip, I'm worried about cross threading the cap or similar damage possible from securing it onto the pen; how have the threads held up for you after a year of use?

[@JG3Reviews]

So far they are OK, but I do try to be extra careful to reduce wear.

[@anguswhite8233]

omg, that pen is huge!(most of my pens are Platinum3776sized): not sure I could judge if your pen would be acceptable to me unless I went ahead and bought one of my own: haven’t tried Ranga yet but did like my Airmail71J(for jumbo)

[@c.v.krishnakumar4262]

Great pen and great review!

[@JG3Reviews]

Thank you!

[@itsbrammertime]

How does the grip section compare to the new Jinhao X159? I love x159 section size but was worried this would be too large. Thoughts?

[@mariatriesart8389]

I have one Ranga an Ebonite 4. I was offered a group buy on the Splendour a number of weeks ago. James, do you ever colour using your fountain pens?? I saw someone coloring in flowers on a picture with a ferret on it with tiny flowers coloured in with an ink called Golden Sands. I colour, and paint with watercolours, and want to try using my pens and inks to create art. Were you the one who colouredin that picture?

[@jimmybritt8405]

Thanks James! Did you say how much it cost you? Thanks again! Love your reviews.

[@JG3Reviews]

I may not have said. Current price is at the link in the description (special nibs are higher). I ordered straight from Ranga, and they were quicker than I expected considering current shipping challenges.

[@arankalle4354]

Very big for a shirt pocket ? Then can't carry with for daily use to work place ? Then is the clip useful ? I have ordered one. Hope I carry it every day.

[@JG3Reviews]

I hope you enjoy it! Not all shirt pockets will accommodate it, but it is a well made pen and a great writing experience.

[@sreeharsha7994]

How to order

[@jkatkat7950]

Warning!!! Ranga does not take returns or attempt to correct clear errors - While I received a beautiful pen it was clearly not even close to the colour I had chosen. The main response was that it was the colour I had chosen and no recourse was available - very saddened that I will not get to use a Ranga pen and I am now too afraid to make other colour choices

[@TheArtOfThom]

Good review! I am so intrigued now that I had to order one. I ordered it with the #8 Titanium Nib-fine. I will let you know. Thanks!

[@JG3Reviews]

Hope you like it!

[@Tdotttttt]

Hmmm so many thoughts!! Do I wanna be a party pooper? No! Do I wanna tell him?? I mean he mustk now the truth, so I will tell you! This coming from India, and me living in Canada, and being grown up in India, and having many packages my parents send me and when I am in India and if I send anything internationally via post office, Indian post etc, everything pretty much any box that you send, no matter how small or how big, it will be hand sewn by an employee or a service station at the post office. Like when I sent some meds to my friend in US from India, they took the box, I knew nothing about any cloth or hand sowing if I were to do it myself, so they take it and sew it, as a procedure, no packages can be sent skipping it, (except envelopes) So what Rangapens here done is, they took that box, probably grabbed it from their shelf, went to the post office, and asked to send it. At the post office, they take it and sew it like any other packages they do. I am currently in India, while the artisian that makes these pens are talented, they really are selling it for a LOT online. I could buy them for like 3 bucks when I go to their store. This is what I hate about India, that it is not fair. Sure they wanna make a profit, but theres a line between making a profit and outright ripping people off. I am all for selling anything at a reasonable price, but if these things are sold for like 20 times cheaper to others, why mark upthe price like that, and shipping extra as well.

[@JG3Reviews]

Always thankful for more insight. I’ve gotten dozens odd packages from India, but this is the only one that has ever been packages that way, so you can understand why one wouldn’t assume the lone outlier to be the normative.

[@keithwhitney7491]

Enjoyed your review. I wish we lived closer, as I would love to discuss Russia. As an aside, our church is looking for a way to get aid to the Ukraine or, if that is impossible, to either Romania or Poland for relief. Do you know any organizations in the area?

[@JG3Reviews]

Sorry, I don't know how I missed this earlier. You might be glad for the distance, I might talk your ear off. lol I've been following updates by a brother who has ties to Ukrainian mission work and has a lot of contacts. He recommended the Global Relief Ministry at sibi.cc/give. I'm not sure what they're able to do on the ground with the instability of the region, but I know they have a lot of connections to people on the ground there, and in the neighboring countries receiving refugees.

[@keithwhitney7491]

Hey, no problem. I have been distracted by immunotherapy anyway. We meet tomorrow night for our first discussions, and I know others have been reaching out too. I will go to this site and check it out. Every piece of information helps. I understand why Russians chose Putin when they did; however, I think he has really lost the Russian people as well. His alliance with the Russian Orthodox, especially those who want to stop all foreign Christian organizations or churches from evangelizing, still gives him some support. However, the Russian Orthodox have very little appeal to most truly faith-oriented Russians. Like Dostoyevski (Brothers Karamatsov was published in 1880 (he died in 1881), but the younger son (Alosha? Was the the model for the sincere Christian, one who found a loving, spiritual priest from the Russian Orthodox Church. Whatever the source, needs a wide-spread revival. Putin’s actions, war crimes indeed, may well push the masses ever farther from him. I believe it will.

[@LANCSKID]

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