Posts filed under Pen Case

Shibui Pocket Pen 12-Pen Case Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

As an avid pocket pen user, I was excited to try the Shibui Pocket Pen 12-Pen Case in hopes it would help transport my mini pens in style. My usual pen sleeves are too long to conveniently carry my pocket pens, and I always have at least a few pocket pens inked, so I was hoping for a gamechanger. I found this case to be a mix of excellent innovative design, and some design decisions that ultimately didn't work for me, but might for you.

The case is made from high-quality, full-grain leather. It is very well stitched, everything lines up nicely, and it's sturdy and protective without being too heavy or inflexible. The zippers are metal and pull smoothly, even around the corners of the case.

The best feature of this case is the trademarked Pull-Tag that allows the user to adjust the tension of each pen loop so that the case can accommodate pens of any circumference. Since I have pocket pens that range from a slim Kaweco Liliput to a chonky Pen BBS, that's an amazingly useful feature. It also allows clip-less pens to be cinched in snug and sound, so the case will work for a variety of styles.

The case holds 12 pens, with six inside each side of the clamshell opening and a padded, soft divider between them. The divider is velvety on one side, and has six card slots on the other. Personally, I'd rather have the velvet on both sides. I don't quite understand the need for pockets in this case, unless you want to carry the ink swatch cards for your currently inked pens. I can see the use case for that, though it's not something I do. Whatever is in those pockets will be touching the pens on that side.

Ultimately, for me, this case works better for storage than carry. That's because I don't carry a dozen pocket pens at once. If I'm carrying a pocket pen, it's usually just one or two, and I've picked them because I'm going for a minimal carry or a light load. It would be good for bringing a collection to a pen show, so it may be the perfect thing if you visit a lot of shows. It's also worth noting that it can fit shorter standard pens. A full-size TWSBI was too long, but it would fit most pens smaller than that.

While I don't find myself carrying this case, I think I'd use something similar in a two-pen design. I will definitely use this one for storage, though, and I don't hesitate to recommend it if you're hauling a lot of wee pens around. The case is currently priced at $85, which is fair considering the design, materials, and construction. I often try to guess the price of something before I look, and this was half the cost I expected. I think my pens will be very happy in this case while they nap between uses.

(Goldspot provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on June 8, 2023 by Sarah Read and filed under Shibui, Pen Case.

Esterbrook 2GO Pen Cup Review

I'm all over the place this month—in a different city every weekend, and all over the map in between, so my "desk" needs to be on the move with me. Transporting a pleasant variety of pens is an essential part of that portable office, which makes for the perfect opportunity to try out clever new pen case designs.

The new drawstring 2GO Pen Cup from Esterbrook has been my carry for the past week, and it has been wonderful in some ways, and falls a bit short in others.

First of all, to get the obvious out of the way, it's super cute. I love the cotton canvas fabric, the classic stenciling, and the color, which happens to perfectly match my planner cover and purse. It's sturdy and well-made, and feels like it will last a long time, even with regular use. In fact, the fabric feels like it will only get better with use, like a comfy pair of jeans. The leather drawstring gives it a rustic vibe, and the suede interior is very soft. The ribbed knit cuff at the top of the case brings a cosy feel to the leather and canvas.

The case is designed so that you can use it as one big open space, or use the included divider to keep pens separate inside. It's a bit fiddly getting the insert aligned correctly—it keeps wanting to fold on itself—but once the pens are in place, they help it keep its shape. The flexibility of it does allow it to cushion pens of various sizes, so I can put narrow pencils next to beefy fountain pens and the insert will adjust itself accordingly. It also lends the case some structure, so it can stand up like a pen cup, and the top fabric folds down so that the pens are easily visible and accessible.

As far as its shortcomings, the first is exactly that—it's a bit short, so it can't fit taller pencils, and even some pens may not be the best fit. Standard ballpoint or gel pen length works best. I also wasn't able to cinch the top cord shut all the way, due to the thickness of the fabric. So there's always an open gap at the top, wide enough for a pen to slip through if I were to tip it upside down. For me, that means it's not the right case for any of my more delicate pens. But most of my favorite pens are delicate ones, which means I either need to bring them in a second, separate case, or I need to just use a different case altogether, which is ultimately what I did.

Another issue is that this case retails for $59.95, which surprised me a bit. That seems quite high. Yes, the materials are very nice and the construction and design are well done, but oof. That's a very high-end price, and as much as I like it, I'm not sure I'd pay that much for it. I've paid that much for cases before, but there was usually a clear reason why it cost so much--like small-batch handmade pieces in exclusive materials.

While this case didn't work for my daily carry, it still makes a good case for keeping on the desk at home. And it would be a great choice for when I'm bringing a handful of gel pens or fineliners to a friend's house so we can decorate planners together. While it has a few negatives, overall I do think it's a nice case, and I'll enjoy using it.

(Brad purchased this case from Dromgoole’s at the 2023 Atlanta Pen Show.)

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Posted on May 18, 2023 by Sarah Read and filed under Esterbrook, Pen Case, Accessories Review.

Rickshaw Bagworks Peter Pen Ocean Blue 6-Pen Coozy Roll Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

Carrying multiple high-value pens can be more difficult than it sounds. The ideal bag or pouch is something that can offer sufficient protection from the outside world as well as from the other pens inside, but you also want something that is easy to handle and stow. There are plenty of options out there, which gives us, the consumers, our pick of aesthetic and function.

The Rickshaw Bagworks Peter Pen Ocean Blue 6-Pen Coozy Roll is a lovely little pen roll that uses fun materials to carry your pens in style. While the name of this product isn't exactly simple, the design and functionality is. There are six discreet slots for full-size pens, and the case rolls up and stays closed with an elastic drawstring closure. It's cute, holds a nice variety of pens, and keeps your pens safe.

While it's not a "bomb-proof" storage solution that you can use in harsh environments, it does an excellent job of storing and carrying pens for the other 99% of us that just need a neat package to toss in another bag. There isn't a closure or flap to cover the pouch opening where the pens go in and out, but I've found that the pens are really snug and secure once you've rolled the case up — the elastic closure makes it all even more snug and compact. I was a little worried that pens would easily slide out of the pouch when it was upside down, but I can verify that even vigorous shaking while holding the bag upside down isn't enough to jostle the pens loose from their snug compartments.

The inner lining reminds me of the type of material you find on the inside of a super comfortable jacket or a soft blanket. It's very soft and luxurious, and doesn't leave any micro-scratches or scuffs on your pens. As an added bonus, the bright blue color makes it easy to see what you've stowed in each compartment.

The outer material is a durable Cordura nylon material that features the artwork of Peter Draws — an illustrator with a large YouTube presence. This pattern is also used on the Nahvalur Original Ocean Blue fountain pen! The outer seams of the bag are finished with a sturdy black trim piece as an added measure against wear and tear. Overall, the bag feels really solid and well made all around. All the stitches are tidy and strong, there aren't any stray threads or loose material, and it feels substantial in your hands even when there aren't any pens inside.

The elastic closure works by looping the elastic cord over the rolled case, and then cinching it tight with the spring clasp. After a little practice, it's pretty easy to use, and I've been really happy with how secure it is. I favor simple closure mechanisms over fiddly ones, and this one makes me happy to use.

In the little while I've had to use this case, I've reached for it more often than not. It's easy for me to find six pens that I want to carry with me, and this case is aesthetically pleasing and utilitarian in all the right ways.

At $49.00, it's a little more expensive than other fabric cases, but this case uses premium materials and premium manufacturing. When you hold it in your hand and use it, it feels like it should be worth the price. It feels thick and durable and like it will last decades to come. For a unique and well-made product like this, the price to value ratio is fantastic.

You can pick up your own Rickshaw Coozy Roll in a variety of colors, and there are also different sizes and designs for all types of carry needs you might have. If you haven't delved into what Rickshaw Bagworks offers yet, get on it!

(Goldspot provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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