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Nanga Custom Clipless Fountain Pen - in Grass/Blackberry Ebonite.

(Click each photo to view larger views)

Grass-Blackberry Nanga Magnum (capped) Grass-Blackberry Nanga Magnum (uncapped) Grass-Blackberry Nanga Magnum (uncapped-2) Grass-Blackberry Nanga Magnum (close-up)

 

Grass-Blackberry Nanga Magnum (pattern-match-1) The subtle pattern remind me of Peacock feathers, and I wanted to try and avoid loosing any of the material and breaking up the pattern across the joint. So I used a single piece of Ebonite for both parts and cut them on a small bandsaw with a thin-kerf blade. Then I drilled and installed a short piece of solid black acrylic to use for the section threads. Grass-Blackberry Nanga Magnum (pattern-match-2)


Update February 2021 - Material Availability:
I'm happy to announce that I received a small supply of this material again.
So if you would like to order this or any of my other pens with this beautiful material, please contact me.


 



A
bout the Nanga:
If you are familiar with my pens, then you probably know I derive the names I use from Wikipedia's "list of the worlds tallest mountain peaks". This pen follows in that same tradition by being named after the Nanga Parbat mountain peak. The name "Nanga Parbat" means "Naked Mountain" with Nanga specifically meaning "naked". Since this pen appears to be absent or "naked" of any barrel threads, I thought Nanga would be a very appropriate name for the style. If you wish to read more about the Nanga Parbat mountain peak or about any of the other pen names, you can read them on my Pen Names Page.

Nanga Dimensions:
The Nanga is now available is several size versions: Standard, MAGNUM, and Midi. The Standard size Nanga has a capped length of about 6" (152.5mm) and uncapped length of about 5 1/4" (133.5mm). The max diameters are barrel .61" (15.5mm) and cap .64" (16.25mm). The MAGNUM size Nanga has a capped length of about 6 1/2" (165mm) and uncapped length of about 5 1/4" (146mm). The max diameters are barrel .69" (17.5mm) and cap .73" (19mm)*. The Midi size Nanga has a capped length of about 5" (127mm) and uncapped length of about 3 11/16" (94mm). The max diameters are barrel .535" (13.5mm) and cap .55" (14mm).

*MAGNUM Cap diameter... The standard size for US made pen blanks is .75". But some European blanks are sized smaller at only 18mm (.71"), so the cap may have to be thinner based on the diameter of the material you choose. The .73" target diameter is based off the enlargement percentage of the standard size Nanga, but the difference is minimal and would not affect the overall look of the pen (some of the pens shown are under .73").

The unique forward mounted threads on the Nanga allow it to have a nice free flowing style. The smooth transition across the front-section and barrel allows it to have a smooth and graceful flow along the entire length of the barrel. As the different size versions show, the design also allows some flexibility in the diameters so it could be adjusted to fit small or large hands. As with most other JEB's PENs, the Nanga can be ordered in any of the materials shown or your material of choice. The pen includes a steel Meister nib in your choice of finish and tip size. The standard inking system is Cartridge/Converter, but if you like to use your pens as eyedroppers, you can order the Nanga with a special rubber o-ring that seals the section to the barrel so it can be filled directly with ink (not available for the Midi). The larger #6 nib is the best size for the Standard and MAGNUM, while the smaller #5 is required for the Midi. Nib finishes available for STEEL nibs are: 2-tone, polished steel, Black Oxide (#6 only), or Ruthenium (#5 only). Current tip sizes are x-fine, fine, medium, broad, and two italics (1.1 both; 1.4 for #5 only, and 1.5 for #6 only). 14 & 18K Gold nibs are also available as a special order.

Nanga Options and Upgrades:
The Nanga is another pen style that allows for a few upgrades and options. You could add metal accent bands to the base of the cap, or add a slot-mounted clip with a hidden ring (see the main page for a few pens made with this type of clip). The accent bands are available in several finishes (24k gold, nickel and Rhodium, and come in a variety of diameters with widths from 1 to 4mm (1mm increments). As stated above, you can also upgrade your pen with a 14k or 18k gold nib. For the fans of the Nanga MAGNUM, I also have a souce for the larger #8 nibs. However they are only available in the BOCK style nibs in 18k Gold or Titanium Semi-Flex. Contact me if you are interested.

Inking system upgrades... NEW October 2021: The Nanga is now available as a button-filler! The button-filler barrel is 1/4" longer than the standard barrel with a 3/4" long blind-cap. So now there are FOUR inking system options available: 1) the standard C/C; 2) Eyedropper with a custom fitted o-ring; or 3) Bulb-filler; 4) the new Button-filler.

Miscellaneous items... I also offer a variety of other items: a) hand-made Props and Buttons for pens as well as Cuff-links in a variety of styles. You can order a Pen Prop in a material to match your pen, or any one of the wooden styles made in a variety of stained or dyed colors. The Pen Buttons are available for any of the clipless pens. The Cuff-links are available in a variety of styles and finishes and can be ordered with your choice of insets.



About this Material:
This material is called EBONITE, which is a very hard material made by vulcanizing rubber. If you're not familiar with Ebonite, it was the precursor to acrylic and was a popular material used at the turn of the century for most everything that is now made from acrylics. But Ebonite is still widely used today. The most notable product Ebonite is used for is bowling balls. And just like is acrylic, it's available in a variety of colors and patterns.

GRADES of Ebonite... Their are various quality grades of ebonite. The Ebonite used here is one of the highest quality grades available that I purchased directly from the manufacturer in Germany. Lessor grades of ebonite usually come out of China, India or Japan. Buying direct allowed me to order colors I like, or that you usually wouldn't find elsewhere, such as the Grass & Blackberry I used here. Unfortunately though, it's also more expensive due to the minimum quantities and currency exchange. rates.

Colors... The color used here is a mixture of three different colors. The manufacturer calls the two main colors Grass & Blackberry, which are shades of green and purple. Those two main colors are mixed with black in a pattern they call 'Mottled' (also referred to as '8-swirl' by some suppliers). The combination of the colors and the mottled pattern remind me of peacock feathers. Since the color is a bit on the darker side, it was hard to get photo's that I thought did justice to both the color and the pattern, but I think I was able to capture a fairly good representation.

Other available colors... The manufacturer offers quite a variety of colors. They offer a total of 17 (solid) base colors. Then those 17 base colors are mixed with black and offered in two different patterns. The first is the mottled pattern (as was used on this pen), the second pattern is called marble. The mottled is also available in three colors (two base colors and black) which is what was used here. The two patterns look similar on the outside of the raw rods, but the pattern on the end of the rods show the difference. On the ends the mottled, the pattern resembles a flower, while the end of the marbled is circular like a whirlpool.

Supply Update January 2021:
I was able to acquire more of this pattern! So if you were inquiring about it in the past and would still be interested in a pen, send me an email.

This Pens Specifications:
Color / Material: Grass & Blackberry Mottled SEM Ebonite.
Length: Capped 5 13/16" / Uncapped 5 3/8".
Diameter: Barrel .60" / Cap .64".
Nib: #6 Polished Steel Meister.
Filling System: C/C.