Ebonite

[X-crAFt custom ink]

Howdy Everybody. I am getting more and more into making pens everyday. I have heard super awesome things about ebonite, but when I looked at the price I could hear my wallet scream from all the way down in my shop. Does anyone have a place where I can get good quality ebonite for a little bit cheaper then from manufacturer. I am looking for German ebonite in many colors no thicker then 20mm in diameter and at least 10 inches in length. Thank you for your time. Have a great day!

 

[duncsuss]

I get mine from Steve Norse at Vermont Freehand. German ebonite is not going to be cheap wherever you buy it. Japanese is usually a bit lower priced than the German, but I've only used solid black Japanese material so I don't know what their colours are like.

 

[Lmstretch]

Do most people use Ebonite for kit less pens? If so, is this because is is easier to put threads on it? Or is there another reason for using Ebonite?

 

[duncsuss]

Do most people use Ebonite for kit less pens? If so, is this because is is easier to put threads on it? Or is there another reason for using Ebonite?

I can't speak for others, but I've never used ebonite for a kit pen.

It has a few attractions - it takes threads well, it polishes up beautifully (requires buffing, I find, to bring out the real shine), and it's traditional.

Afficionados of classic fountain pens have heard of it, and it doesn't have any negative connotations to them. Kind of like celluloid, another classic material for fountain pens. (Words like "acrylic", "kirinite", "polyester", "polyurethane" don't have the same positive effect.)

 

[carlmorrell]

I have bought from Ranga via ebay more than once. I love the look of the "ripple" variant. It feels great in the hand.

 

[Bats]

I have bought from Ranga via ebay more than once. I love the look of the "ripple" variant. It feels great in the hand.

I've seen this mentioned in a couple threads now, but all I'm finding are finished Ranga pens. Any chance of getting a link to the seller?

 

[eteska]

I've seen this mentioned in a couple threads now, but all I'm finding are finished Ranga pens. Any chance of getting a link to the seller?

I too am interested in this. Have looked with no luck.

Awhile back a bought several pieces of ebonite from Cheng @jickwu here on IAP. I am hoping he will have more at some point as I am almost out.

 

[carlmorrell]

I've seen this mentioned in a couple threads now, but all I'm finding are finished Ranga pens. Any chance of getting a link to the seller?

Bummer. I just looked on ebay, and he no longer has any rods for sale. I would suggest looking at rangapens.com. He does have some photos of the types of ebonite he has. He also has a contact link. I would start there. Good luck!

 

[duncsuss]

Some Ranga ebonite rods available on Amazon ... but these are only 10mm diameter, I'd advise 17mm or more for pen making

Amazon.com : EBONITE RODS- HARD RUBBER RODS- 10MM DIA -4 COLORS(MOTTLED BROWN, MOTTLED GREEN, OLIVE BROWN, SOLID BLACK)-10 RODS LOT : Fishing Rod Racks : Sports & Outdoors

Amazon.com : EBONITE RODS- HARD RUBBER RODS- 10MM DIA -4 COLORS(MOTTLED BROWN, MOTTLED GREEN, OLIVE BROWN, SOLID BLACK)-10 RODS LOT : Fishing Rod Racks : Sports & Outdoors

smile.amazon.com

 

[PatrickR]

Howdy Everybody. I am getting more and more into making pens everyday. I have heard super awesome things about ebonite, but when I looked at the price I could hear my wallet scream from all the way down in my shop. Does anyone have a place where I can get good quality ebonite for a little bit cheaper then from manufacturer. I am looking for German ebonite in many colors no thicker then 20mm in diameter and at least 10 inches in length. Thank you for your time. Have a great day!

Since you specify German made, your options are limited. As mentioned it will be on the high side everywhere. Since you just want to try it out go ahead and get some from Vermont Freehand.

 

[Scry]

Do most people use Ebonite for kit less pens? If so, is this because is is easier to put threads on it? Or is there another reason for using Ebonite?

I use it for pen sections - cuts like a dream, polishes every nicely, and feels nice in the hand. Though I've only stuck with black ebonite so far, as according to Brian Gray solid colored ebonite except for black tends to fade.
Link to source: https://edisonpen.com/index.cfm/2014/07/01/no-more-solid-ebonite-except-black/

 

[jalbert]

I too am interested in this. Have looked with no luck.

Awhile back a bought several pieces of ebonite from Cheng @jickwu here on IAP. I am hoping he will have more at some point as I am almost out.

I may have some Japanese colored ebonite I could part with. I don't enjoy ebonite, and have no real use for it.

 

[peytonstreet]

Bummer. I just looked on ebay, and he no longer has any rods for sale. I would suggest looking at rangapens.com. He does have some photos of the types of ebonite he has. He also has a contact link. I would start there. Good luck!

I don't think Ranga is selling rods any longer. I've been begging them for months to no avail, and we are a big reseller of their pens. I think the problem may be shipping from India.

I have bought German (SEM and NYH) rods from Vermont Freehand and also RAWkrafted. The selection is very limited, though Vermont Freehand has a lot of interesting colors. I have found that SEM sometimes has major voids, so you have to deal with those.

We've placed a largish order (12 meter long rods) with Nikko and it is on the way. Their color selection is limited to some basic colors in solid, mottled and ripple, but I am intrigued by their willingness to make rods in whatever combination of colors you like, and I like the choice of diameter.

TERI

 

[Herbus Casameerus]

I still have a bunch of it, in black and many ripple colors.Willing to sell all as I don't make pens anymore.
Some sample pictures attached,including some finished products.
I have black and ripples ,mostly between 10-16mm.
I never found a need for thicker but may have 17mm...I'd have to look.
Most pens have historically made between 10-14mm.The skinnier stuff is used for sections,feeds,pistons,ect.
I also used 10mm for Early style eye droppers.
I suppose that I should start posting it all on Ebay....
Much of it is still in 33 inch lengths so I guess I should cut it into 12 inch lengths to more cheaply & easily ship it...

 

[PatrickR]

@Herbus Casameerus
PM sent.

 

[Herbus Casameerus]

I see that have alot of these ripple colors and black in 14-15mm

 

[AjayV]

Hello All, I do some stock of 19 mm x 5.5 inches Ebonite blanks. Please connect via email. Yunavltd@gmail.com. I may only charge shipping from India.