Alter Manufacturing Mod.02 Pen(cil) Case Review

I was contacted by Alter Manufacturing on Twitter a few weeks ago to check out a pen case they had just created called the Mod.02. It was an out-of-the-blue request, but once I checked out their story and noticed their proximity (ATL in the house!) I was excited to check the case out. A few tweets and emails later and I had a Mod.02 sample on the way.

When I first opened the package I was concerned. I'm not going to lie to you. I thought the case looked good, but it didn't feel all that substantial, especially since these retail for $30 (I received mine at no charge). I'm used to handling lighter weight nylon fabric cases from Nomadic that have more internal padding. It is a different feel in the hand for sure.

Once I finally got down to business and loaded it out, my opinion of the Mod.02 did a complete 180. I don't know my cloth density ratings at all, but the "PU Coated Cordura 1000D Exterior" feels as sturdy as can be without being stiff as a board. I loaded up 10 pens in it as fast as I could, and could probably squeeze in a couple more if I tried. The two right hand pockets fit three full-sized pens each, and the larger left hand pocket can fit a small notebook (like the Doane Paper mini Flap Jotter but not the standard memo book size of 3.5 x 5.5 inches). I went with five pens in that slot and could probably fit seven depending on the pen.

The inside of the pen case also contains a small horizontal pocket that can fit lead refills, ink cartridges, erasers, and the like. There is also a flap that partly covers the top of the pens to prevent them from sliding out if your case tumbles around a lot.

That right there is the key to the Mod.02. This is one of the most portable cases I have used from a design and construction perspective. Loaded out with pens, it still manages to fold impressively flat while keeping your pens and pencils stable and protected. The wide velcro strips allow you to stuff it even more full than I did and still have a tight closure.

If I was a mobile artist/urban sketcher type I would be all over the Mod.02. As it is, I am a backpack wearing, laptop toting cube jockey and this case suits me wonderfully. I can carry the right amount of gear and have all my bases covered and protected.

The now discontinued Nomadic Roller Pencil Case has been #1 in my case arsenal for years. Not anymore.

Podcast Episode 15 Follow-up

I received some great feedback on the latest episode of the podcast where Myke and I discussed a few pen cases. If fact, one reader was kind enough to send over action shots of nearly every case we discussed. Click here to check it out. Thanks Justin!

P.S. I'm absolutely getting a Teffa.

Lihit Lab Teffa Pen Case Review

(This is a guest post by Brian Draghi. You can follow Brian on Twitter @Sketchscape)

I recently had been looking for a book type pen case that would help keep all of my favorite pens organized with enough space for a small sketchbook to be stored with them. I wanted a something that contained everything I need in an all in one case without having to grab multiple items.

The Lihit Lab Teffa Pen Case fulfills everything l wanted in a case for small portable sketching sessions. This is an amazing case from first glance. It is deceptively small and holds quite a large amount of items. I was able to hold 17 pens comfortably along with a flash drive, small stylus, iPad camera connection kit, ruler and a small sketchbook.

The inner straps on both left and right side are very secure and create a tight fit to attach your pens to. I noticed that pens with clips that rest close to the top of the cap are easier to place on the right side since the strap is higher on that side. The straps are lower on the left side of the case which limits the amount of space on the bottom especially if the pens are longer. My configuration has all my writing pens on the left and all my sketching pens on the right side divider.

Turning the divider, the mesh pockets are constructed well and provide a secure fit for items without the worry of anything falling out. The back mesh pocket is large enough to hold a stylus and a #12 5x5 Rhodia dot pad. The mesh pocket is just large enough to only hold a small Moleskine sketchbook without anything else in the pocket.

Overall

This is probably one of the best cases that I have to keep my pens organized and everything ready to go. The shiny nylon material of the case is great because it seems to resist stains or marks. It can be simply wiped down with a damp cloth to remove any type of dirt or marks. The case is thick enough to accommodate all of your pens and items without it being too bulky. The one drawback is the lack of some type of strap or handle on the back of the case for carrying. I would have preferred a strap that was sewn on the back similar to my Brenthaven iPad case where I can just slip my hand through and easily carry it.

Verdict

This is a must buy case for anyone that like to keep their top collection of pens organized and accessible for travel. This is by far the best case that I currently own and it works perfectly for me and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Rating 4.5 out of 5 pens

Pros

* Compact design with large capacity

* Holds 17-24 pens comfortably

* Case thick enough to accommodate every pen.

* Great shiny nylon material

* Contains everything in one item

Cons

* No strap or handle to carry

* Difficult to store bulky items in small mesh pocket

* Front cover pockets limit storage

(Ed. Note: These sold out so fast at JetPens.com that I wasn't able to get one myself. Be sure to to sign up on the product page to be notified when they restock.)