Posts filed under 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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Posted on May 18, 2018 by Susan Pigott and filed under Metaphys, 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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