Why Ranga Abhimanyu is a Must-Have for Pen Enthusiasts

Here is the long-term review of the Ranga Abhimanyu…

I’ve been using my Ranga Abhimanyu in multicolored, mottled design for over a year now. I resisted from dropping a review because I wanted to test the pen throughout. In short, the pen is an absolute winner across categories. For details, skim through the review.

Design and construction

I swoon over this one: Ranga Abhimanyu. In fact, its construction, feel, and comfort quotients are so high that my otherwise uninterested colleagues also picked it up. I selected the mottled design because it has almost all the colors of inks that I’d like to try: blue, cream, orange, and green. It wouldn’t matter whether I am using a standard or sheening ink. There will always be at least one base color and a sheening one that matches the pen color. Overthinking, did you say? Admirer of the beauty; that’s all I hear.

The pen is made of three solid hand-turned pieces of ebonite. It can’t be any simpler than that. And there lies the catch! You get enamored by its beauty. Each curve is as deliberate as it can be. Yet, the edged finials on the top and bottom of the pen give it a nice balance and contrast against the smoother curves of the body. You can hold it across the entire length of the section and you barely feel the step-down of its figurative love handles to the barrel. The threads are non-intrusive and so are its curves. For added oomph, I have even paired it with a few rings and stoppers around its waistline. But, we are still talking about a pen, aren’t we?

The cap unscrews in about a turn for me, which makes it a nice pick for quick note-taking. For those who are familiar with the design language of Ranga Pens, Abhimanyu is one without the pen clip. If you want to go for the same design but wish to have a pen clip, go for Ranga Markandeya. That’s the only distinction between the pen models. To avoid accidentally dropping the pen, I would suggest that getting a pen sleeve. I have dropped mine for 3-4 times, and skipped a beat each time that happened.

The cartridge-converter (standard international/Schmidt) is no-nonsense. The body unscrews in about 11 turns. While that sounds quite a lot, I reckon that it is because you can eyedropper the pen. Get an O-ring fitted in the little notch right at the end of the threads for an added security. But the turns are enough to keep your hands clean and your shirts stain-free.

Nib and nibbling

My pen came with a Bock medium nib. Although, I found it a little too dry for my liking. Mr. Kandan was kind enough to send me another Bock unit for my disposal. However, I have used my Magna Carta titanium nib unit with an ebonite feed. It fits perfectly and keeps the pen adequately wet. I have NEVER come across an instance of dried ink, skipping, or burping. The nib, even though not the default one, is up there with the bigwigs of the industry.

Shipping, Delivery, and Brand-building

Mr. Kandan ensures that each pen is made with care. He was thorough in his analysis of the Bock nib’s misbehavior. Our conversation lasted for about 45 minutes. He willingly conversed—that for a single customer who bought, for now, a single pen. Quite amazing. And, both the pen and the supplied nib reached me in time that was lesser than what he had quoted. Impressive.

If there is one pen that I recommend you to buy, aside from my grail pen—Pilot Custom 823—it is Ranga Abhimanyu. I want to get another one, already—this time an acrylic version.

I bet you can create a one-pen collection of this one. However, keep in mind that you will want to own at least a couple! So, it will more be like a one-model collection of fountain pens. But, much like it is with the company of good folks, the more (pens) the merrier it is!