Quick Look: Ranga Pens

Ranga Pen Company is a manufacturer of fine writing instruments based in India who have been making their products for over 50 years. They produce a diverse range of pen styles in beautiful acrylic, resin, and ebonite materials that are sure to speak to any pen person’s sensibilities. While they only have a handful of distributors here in the United States, I have seen the largest variety at Peyton Street Pens here in my home state of California. It is from that wonderful shop that I have acquired two Ranga models: an acrylic Zayante, and an ebonite Monterey. Time for a quick look.

Zayante (PSP Exclusive Resin)

The Zayante is a traditionally-styled pen featuring a round tapered barrel, threaded cap, and metal clip. The model is available in alumilite resin, colorful acrylic, and rich ebonite materials. When capped it measures in at a hair over 5.5 inches in length, and about 5 inches total when writing un-posted. While the cap is physically capable of posting, I find it adds a little too much length and back-end weight to be comfortable. The barrel is light on accoutrements, with only a simple ring carved into the cap and rear-end of the barrel. Under the cap you’ll find a smooth slanted barrel with a slight pinched section of a finger rest. I find this grip very comfortable, and not slippery despite the smooth polished surface.

The Zayante is a cartridge/converter pen, compatible with both short and standard international ink cartridges. And it uses the popular JOWO #6 nib. Fans of gold nibs may be displeased to find that Peyton Street Pens only carries stainless steel options for these lines, however they do offer cursive italic and architect nib customization options from their in-house nib grinder. They also offer the pens shipped without a nib and feed if you already have a #6 ready for a pen and you want to save a few dollars on the purchase.

This Zayante is made of a custom alumilite resin poured by Peyton Street Pens in California. I also picked up a fine architect nib from PSP and have been very satisfied with it so far.

Monterey (Premium Ebonite)

The Monterey is a slightly more unique pen. This one features a round rod-shaped barrel and cap with no taper or curve to the shape. The top of the cap and bottom of the barrel are both flattened, and the barrel includes threading on the end so the cap can be securely posted. The pen is slightly shorter, measuring in at 5.31 inches with the cap and 4.87 inches without. Posting the cap brings the overall length up to 7.375 inches, which is a bit unwieldy for me. The clipless cap has two rings near the top that break up the otherwise smooth silhouette. The grip section has a similar profile to the Zayante’s, though the pinch taper is slightly less pronounced.

The Monterey is also a cartridge/converter pen, and also uses the JOWO #6 nib unit. The clipless cap adds to the unique look of the pen, and provides an opportunity for an interesting add on available only at Peyton Street Pens. For any clipless pen they sell (or one you’ve already purchased from them) PSP can install a fine silver roll stop. These roll stops are available in a few sizes with dozens of designs that add a splash of unique flair to your writing instrument. When purchasing my Monterey, I chose to add the “Net shield with door knob” piece. It functions well as a roll stop, and evokes the feeling that the pen is a sort of doorway to a place of my own creation. I’m a fan.

This Monterey is made of premium ebonite in the black orange colorway. To me, it looks a bit like flowing lava.

If you’re in the market for a new fountain pen, I highly recommend checking out the Ranga line of products at Peyton Street Pens. They are beautiful, reliable, and very fairly priced. The pens mentioned in this article are both available for less than $80 US. Give them a look.

Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this review were purchased at retail price for the purpose of use and review. All opinions stated are my own.