Posts filed under Pen Case

Sun-Star Delde Slide Pen Pouch 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.)

I've realized over the past few years that I'm way more picky about my pen cases than I am about my pens. I'll use a pen even if I don't love it--not so much, for cases. I'll be using this case a lot.

The Sun-Star Delde Slide Pen Pouch tackles the convertible-case problem and does it in a way that allows it to be versatile without compromising on its primary function. This case holds a ton of pens--even my adorably chubby Sarasa collection can fit in here. The canvas material is soft but sturdy and the bottom is reinforced so that it stands as a pen cup when the top portion is slid down. The lining material is smooth polyester, so it slides down easily while also keeping the case contents protected. The structure is a bit mystifying at first. It's like one of those matchbox magic tricks where the hidden drawer slides inside the other. I'm fairly certain Mary Poppins had something to do with the design of this case.

The case can also be closed and carried in its compact form if you have smaller items to tote. In its wee converted state there's an extra layer of canvas between the contents and the world, so delicate items are even better protected.

Inside the lining of the lower part of the case are two pen sleeve pockets and a wider pocket perfect for a few small accessories like lead, eraser, and sharpener. Or some sticky notes, washi, or ink samples. The interior pockets are a little tricky to reach if the case is fully extended, though. They appear to be intended for use when the case is being used as a pen cup. Even fully extended, it can be a bit short for some longer pens or full-length pencils. Measure your favorite tools before you fall in love with this case.

The top of the case closes with a sturdy metal zipper. The zipper pull has a fake leather tab loop that can serve as a wee handle or be clipped into a larger bag. The bottom of the case is reinforced with interfacing so that it stands flat on a desk, but is still pliable enough to squeeze into a bag or backpack.

I've tried a number of different standing pen/pencil cases, but this is the first one that's really won me over. The materials feel great, it looks awesome, and it holds a ton of pens while still smoothly performing its little magic trick. I was torn between using it for pens, or (as JetPens also recommends) for makeup--but honestly, I like this enough that I might get a second one and use it for both. There really isn't better praise for a bag or pouch than "I can think of so many ways to use this that I need several."

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

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Posted on May 17, 2018 by Sarah Read and filed under Sun-Star, Pen Case.

Pilot Tatemo Pen Case Review

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

When collecting pens is a hobby, pen cases are a necessity. Luckily, there's not shortage of options in the pen case markets. Like the pens and pencils we love, pen cases can have incredibly focused and singular use cases. With the Pilot Tatemo, one of the major perks is being able to stand the case up to act as a sort of portable pen cup.

Where some pen cases endeavor to provide a cozy pocket for each individual pen, the Tatemo is more alike the pouch format. There's one large pocket for pens, pencils, and other large items, and there's also a small pouch on the lid for small items like cartridges, lead, erasers, and other like-sized items.

The function of the case is simple: the case is secured with a single zip, and the lid flap folds down to the rest of the body so that it stays out of your way. My favorite feature of this case is the hidden magnet in the lid that attaches to the body when folded open. Instead of a lid hanging loosely, the magnet secures the lid to the case when open. This allows you to easily access the pens and pencils you've stored in the case.

In storage and transportation, the case does exactly what you expect. It keeps everything contained inside the large pouch or the smaller mesh pocket, but everything inside the case is touching. It's not ideal for more expensive pens or pens that might scratch or damage other items in the pouch. But, for storing a bunch of different writing instruments in an easily accessible pouch, it's perfect.

This case really shines once you sit down to start working. Simply unzip and open the case and decide whether you want to stand the case up like a pen cup or lay it flat like a pen tray. It's spacious enough on the inside to allow a clear view into the different tools you have stored, and reaching over to grab what you need is easy thanks to the magnet that keeps the lid secure.

When using the case as a pen cup (standing up), it's pretty stable. Obviously, the stability of the case in this orientation depends on what you've loaded into it, but it's been solid in my experience. The material is thick enough to make the structure sturdy and dependable.

When it's time to pack up and go, simply zip up the case and throw it in your bag. Easy!

The Tatemo case is available in a variety of fun colors. The orange pictured here is an excellent choice, but you can also choose from black, red, pink, navy, and light blue. And, at just under $20, it's a pretty good deal. The quality and function of the product is on par with the pricing, and the nifty magnet closure in the lid is an added bonus. If it looks fun and useful, I really recommend trying one out. I've enjoyed using it over the past few weeks, both at home and other locations.

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

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Posted on May 9, 2018 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Pilot, Pen Case.

Palomino Blackwing Pencil Pouch Review

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

As I dive deeper and deeper into the pencil world, it doesn’t take long to realize that not all pen/pencil cases are long enough to accommodate a standard size wood-case pencil. They’re just longer than your average writing utensil, and that means you have to purchase a case that is made for these instruments in mind.

It should come as no surprise that Palomino has their own case for just this purpose. The Pencil Pouch from Blackwing is a black waxed-canvas pencil case that features a low-key branding and big, brass zipper to keep everything secure. On the outside, it looks great and, due to the waxed canvas, should hold up for quite a long period of use.

Pencil pouches are fairly simple — they are usually a rectangle with enough space inside for a dozen or two dozen pencils, and close with a zipper of some kind. The Blackwing version is no different, but stays in line with the branding of their notebooks and pencils — it’s minimal and unassuming. I think it looks great, but it’s not perfect.

The brass zipper on top of the case looks fantastic. It has a rugged, aged look that compliments the black canvas. It also has a small leather pull attached to the zip pull to make it easier to operate. On one side of the zipper, there’s also a small leather tab affixed in the seam of the pouch that provides a nice gripping point when unzipping the pouch. Palomino definitely thought through the design and use of this case, and it shows. While the zipper looks great, it uses a relatively large zip size that can be someone difficult to open and close. It tends to get caught midway through the zip, and that can be frustrating. The last thing you want is a struggle with trying to close the pencil pouch that results in some of the tips of your pencils getting damaged or broken.

Apart from the zipper, there’s the feel of the waxed canvas when it’s still new. It has a waxy feel on the outside and the inside of the pouch, and this residue can stick to your fingers. I really dislike this, but it’s happened to me with almost every other new waxed canvas bag that I’ve had. Fortunately, this residue wears off over a brief period, but the protective elements of the wax coating remain. If you can live through a short period of waxy residue on your fingers and pencils, you’ll be fine with this case. The other downside of waxed canvas is that it loves to pick up lint, hair, etc. This drives me nuts because I detest lint, so keep that in mind if you also suffer from this idiosyncrasy.

In the pictures in this review, I’m using a dozen pencils. You can see in the pictures that the pouch looks about half-full, and that’s accurate according to the specs on JetPens. This case should comfortably fit 24 pencils. If you leave a few out, there’s also plenty of room for a sharpener and an eraser.

On the quality side, the case seems very well made, although a little messy on the inside. The outside of the case looks very clean and well-made. The stitches are consistent and I haven’t seen any stray threads coming off the case with use. If you turn the pouch inside out to inspect the interior stitches, they seem a bit messier and might potentially unravel a bit over a long period of time. Still, since they’re on the inside of the pouch, they’re very well protected. I imagine this is normal for any stitched goods that are made in high volume, as I assume these Blackwing pouches are.

The Palomino Blackwing Pencil Pouch will set you back around $35, which seems a fair price for the materials used. I’ve been happy with it aside from the minor complaints I noted above, and I’d happily recommend this case if you like the aesthetic and price-point.

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

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