Posts filed under Pen Case

Yenderings Toronto Sugar Beach Pen Roll: A Review

(Susan M. Pigott is a fountain pen collector, pen and paperholic, photographer, and professor. You can find more from Susan on her blog Scribalishess.)

Yenderings is a Toronto-based company that creates custom cases and pen and journal wraps based on menswear designs with colors and themes from the city of Toronto. The designer uses one principle: “fanciful functionality.” According to the website,

Every design contains functional features such as zip pockets to hold all various sundries, strategically placed external pockets for easy access to notebooks and pens and ultrasuede linings to provide soft and cozy protection for your tools. Fanciful elements are then incorporated to add flair and a bit of > je ne sais quoi> to your every day carry.

The pen roll I’m reviewing is called the Toronto AM02 Sugar Beach. It is designed after an urban water park in the Distillery District.

*"Sugar Beach", By Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine [CC0], from Wikimedia Commons*

For this case,

We drew the colours from Sugar Beach's iconic flamingo pink umbrellas popping against the sand and a crystal blue sky. Mix in some orange Creamsicles with whimsical polka dots to feel that everywhere you go with this roll. We even threw in some cork for that summertime feeling!

The outside of the pen case is made of a linen blend and a cork panel. It features a pocket that can hold two Field Notes-sized notebooks. Of course, I put a Nock Notebook in, because . . . well, you know.

The inside of the case is lined with aqua ultrasuede and has six pen slots. The slots are large enough to hold oversized pens, such as the Montblanc 149. Obviously, smaller pens will fit nicely as well.

The fabric on the inside is a super fun orange polkadot that makes for a sweet contrast with the aqua ultrasuede. The flap folds over to keep the pens from scratching one another.

The case is lined in flamingo pink and has a matching fabric tie. The stitching is aqua.

I wouldn’t really call this a pen roll, since you actually just fold it over (unless you want your notebooks to develop a pen-roll curve). Still, it is small enough to slip in a briefcase, backpack pocket, or a large purse.

Because all Yenderings cases are custom made, you might not be able to purchase this exact model, though it’s currently still for sale for $70.00 CAD (= $53.20 USD) plus shipping. Go to the catalog page to see what’s currently available. If you don’t fancy this design there are others from which to choose. And, even better, you can have a pen case custom designed specifically for you (prices vary).

The Yenderings Toronto Sugar Beach Pen Roll is a whimsical, beautifully-made pen roll. I love the color combinations on this case and the soft ultrasuede. The only thing I’m not too keen on is the cork, but that’s just a matter of personal taste. If you’re looking for a pen roll or case that is unique and handmade, I highly recommend Yenderings.

(The Yenderings Pen Roll was purchased at full price by The Pen Addict for review.)

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Posted on August 17, 2018 by Susan Pigott and filed under Yenderings, Pen Case.

Passage One California Sunglasses (or pens) Pouch Review

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

When it comes to pen cases and pouches, there are so many options available these days. And while pouches are great for pens, they're also useful for other small items. For example, take a look at the California Sunglasses Pouch from Passage One. While the name of this case implies that it's only useful for sunglass storage, it also serves as a decent pen case.

In my usage, I'm able to fit between 10 and 12 fountain pens into the case at a time. With slender gel pens, I get closer to 15 if I'm lucky. That's not a bad number compared to most pen cases, although you do forgo any individual protection for your pens as they're all just jostling around together in one compartment. It's a pouch that holds plenty of stuff, and it's constructed well.

The exterior material is a nice waxed canvas that doesn't leave much of a waxy residue on your hands after use. It's available in several colors (eight to choose from), but I believe the color featured in this review is Olive. It has a great texture feels well-made. The only branding is a small leather tab sewn into the seam of the bag on one side. It's tastefully done and blends in nicely.

The brass-colored zipper matches the color of the case beautifully, and the zipper action is smooth and quiet. The interior lining is a poly-cotton blend with a neutral tan color. It complements the exterior color and the zipper perfectly. Being a light color, it also makes it easier to see what's in the pouch.

The Passage One California Sunglasses Pouch is a well-made and stylish case that can serve double duty as a pen case, sunglasses case, or anything-that-fits case that you can stow in a larger bag. I'm happy with the build quality and minimal aesthetic, but also pleased (and surprised) with the amount of stuff I can fit inside.

You can browse the various colors and purchase one of these pouches from JetPens. The case goes for $24, which seems completely fair when you consider the materials used and the level of quality in the final product. If you like the aesthetics of this case, you won't be disappointed by its utility!

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

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Posted on July 25, 2018 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Passage One, Pen Case.

Metaphys Famm Leather Roll Up Pen Case in Orange: A Review

(Susan M. Pigott is a fountain pen collector, pen and paperholic, photographer, and professor. You can find more from Susan on her blog Scribalishess.)

The Metaphys Famm Leather Roll Up Pen Case is made from super soft sheep skin lined with textured rayon. It comes in a simple cardboard box and exudes a zen-like simplicity.

The outside of the case is beautiful dyed sheep skin that is silky smooth to the touch. There’s no visible stitching, and the only branding is a small “Metaphys” imprint near the edge.

Inside the case are four pen slots that can accomodate even the largest of my pens (my Wahl-Eversharp Oversized Decoband) as well as smaller pens, though the pen slots are not all the same size. For example, the slot closest to the zippered portion is smaller than the others. A flap protects the pens from scratching one another when the case is rolled up.

In addition to the pen slots, the case has an open pocket where you can store an additional pen or two, as long as you don’t mind them knocking together.

There’s also a smaller zippered pocket for another pen or maybe an eraser or small ruler. The zipper on my case is rather rough and stubborn, which is unfortunate given that the case is otherwise well made.

The case rolls up and is secured with a single leather strap.

When rolled up, the Metaphys case is small (185mm x 60mm/7.3 inches x 2.4 inches), so it’s ideal for purses or the pockets in backpacks and briefcases. It does not have any padding, however, so I wouldn’t put it in a bag with heavy items like books that could potentially crack delicate writing instruments.

At $92.50, the Metaphys Case is rather expensive. But if you want an elegant leather carrying case for a few pens, it might be worth the expense. You can purchase it from JetPens in black, orange, camel, or navy.

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