It’s pen show season early for me this year, so I’m thinking about packing. Not just clothes, but stationery. That’s the most important stuff, right?
Despite over a decade of experience wandering aisles and navigating crowds, I’ve never been fully content with what I’ve carried and how I’ve carried it. The key is to be agile, considerate to your needs, and aware of others. Hitting that Goldilocks spot is a challenge.
I’ll be the first to admit that completely hands and bag free is the best situation. No bag to wrangle, free hands to inspect products, and all else that comes with being unencumbered. That’s not my reality, though, as there is “stuff” I want with me when I might be on the go for a few hours at a time.
Let’s start with the biggest part of my kit: the bag itself. I’ve used them all - backpacks, messenger bags, totes, slings - you name it, I’ve carried it. They all have their pros and cons.
When I first started attending pen shows, I followed the “bigger is better” concept, primarily using a traditional backpack. Backpacks are generally large capacity, and offer hands-free operation - both good choices for shows. But size can be a backpacks downfall, one, for filling too much, and two, for general getting in the way.
The Rickshaw Banzai on top of a 22 liter backpack (left,) and large messenger bag.
Over the years I’ve gradually gone smaller and smaller with what I carry, and have benefitted with each transition. Two years ago, at the Orlando Pen Show, I stumbled upon what has been my show bag for all events since: the Rickshaw Banzai bag.
The last thing I’m usually in the market for at a pen show is another bag, and even seeing this one for sale at the show I was hesitant. But, as with pens I like, I kept coming back to it, and eventually made the purchase.
Why does it work for me? The size. At 8 x 10 x 3.5 inches internal dimension, it reminds me of a classic lunchbox. That boxy shape is a good thing for the type of products I’ll be putting in it, as you will see momentarily. The internal organization is just enough to sort and separate, and the two carry options - handles, or single strap - are befitting a bag of this size. The only downside could be carry style. When slung on the shoulder like a purse it can slide off, so I generally throw it over my head and wear it cross-body like a sling or small messenger bag when I don’t want to worry about it.
L to R: A5 Hobonichi notebook under a small Nock Co. pouch, Bungubox pen roll (empty), Rickshaw Sinclair-R.
Filling this bag is a breeze, and I’ve never overstuffed it to begin the day (don’t ask me about the end of the day!) I’ll carry one Sinclair with my inked pens, have one small empty case ready for something new, an A5 notebook for testing or sharing, and other small ephemera like stickers and washi. Add in my 20 oz. Hydroflask for beverages (coffee or water,) and I’m taken care of for the day, with room to spare.
So much room for activities!
This small setup works particularly well for me since I usually stay at the show hotel for a couple of nights. Any large or heavy purchases can be run back to the room, keeping my bag light and agile. If I was visiting for the day I would consider a bigger backpack, simply for storage reasons.
I’ll carry my bottle in hand when wandering, but it fits easily in the bag - even zipped - when I need a hands-free moment.
The great thing about the Rickshaw Banzai bag is that it is an excellent stationery storage and carry option when at home. It may not fit a laptop, but if you simply want your stationery collected together and portable, this is a great choice.
When full looks the same as empty you have a winner! I toss this in my suitcase (minus the inked pens, which I carry on,) to and from the show.
I’m always looking for carry solutions, especially as it relates to stationery. Small, loose, oddly-shaped, and sometimes heavy items can be difficult to manage. I’m glad to be settled in this area for the time being, and I wonder if you are, as well. Let me know your carry solutions, or carry challenges, and let’s see what other options are out there.
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