Posts filed under 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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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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