Posts filed under Pen Case

Kutsuwa Dr. Ion Multi Box Pencil Case 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. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

If you need to upgrade your pen case to a pen suitcase, you might want to take a look at this Dr. Ion Multi Box from Kutsuwa. There are so many features that I haven't even figured them all out yet. There are pockets and loops and straps and compartments and room for a little of everything.

The case is made from sturdy nylon canvas and is split into two double-zippered sections. Between the sections is the PVC handle that is on metal loop hinges for comfortable carrying. You could even handcuff it to your wrist, if you've got it loaded with your most precious pens.

The sections open lengthwise, and the double zipper allows you to open and close from either end. One side of the case has a zippered mesh pouch on one side. A center flap divides the space. That flap has an elastic band with a bottom pocket on it that can hold multiple pens. The flip side of the flap acts as padding for the other side of the compartment where there are other elastic pen loops. This is the largest space in the case, and could be filled with tons of pens.

The other side of the case zips open to show four deep pen pockets on one side, and a few smaller elastic-bound pockets on the other side. These work great for sticky notes, erasers, or other small accessories.

This is the most high-capacity pen case I've ever used. I packed it with everything I thought I'd need on my recent writer's retreat, and I could have easily added a ton more. It worked great and I really liked the organization of it all. I think this case is the perfect thing for students who have to carry a variety of stationery, where they can organize their pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils, erasers, glue sticks, sticky notes, etc. My middle schooler had to upgrade to two pencil cases last year to carry all the stuff on his school list--but this case would hold it all. So he's probably going to get this case, come Fall. And then I'll need another one for myself.

The kicker here is that this is the MEDIUM size of this case. There is a large! The medium is a very reasonable $24.50, and the large, which has considerably more capacity, is $36.50 and is more purse-sized. You can even get a shoulder strap for it. Part of me thinks this might be too much stationery capacity ... and part of me really wants to put it to the test.

These cases aren't really designed for the transport of truly delicate pens. I wouldn't put my handmade acrylic fountain pens in it--there's not a lot of padding to speak of, and the compartments knock into each other a bit. But for school or art supplies, this is a really nice way to organize and carry your supplies.

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

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Posted on June 10, 2021 by Sarah Read and filed under Kutsuwa, Pen Case.

The Sendak Mini Artist Roll by Peg & Awl: 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 Sendak Mini Artist Roll is a pen/pencil/paintbrush/tool holder. It's the little brother of the Sendak Artist Roll, measuring 14.4 in. by 8 in. (365mm by 202mm) when fully open and 4.3 in. by 8 in. (110mm by 200mm) when folded.

The roll is hand made with waxed duck canvas.

The Sendak Mini Artist Roll by Peg & Awl

It features a vegetable-tanned leather strap engraved with "The Sendak Mini Peg & Awl." The strap is attached with brass rivets and closed with an antique steel buckle.

The Sendak Mini Artist Roll Buckle and Rivets

Inside there's a small zippered pocket on the left.

The Sendak Mini Artist Roll Inside Pocket

In the middle are two large pockets and eight slots for various artist implements.

The Sendak Mini Artist Roll Large Pocket

A flap provides protection for the instruments inside the roll.

Outside, the back part of the roll has two full length, large pockets.

The Sendak Mini Artist Roll Back Pockets

Everything about this artist roll is well made. The canvas feels rugged and virtually indestructible. The leather strap is thick and sturdy. The zipper is made of brass.

The four large pockets can accommodate scissors, knives, skinny sketchbooks, a cell phone, and a host of other objects. The inside pockets are 3.3 in. (85mm) wide and 8 in. (202mm) tall. The outside pockets are 3.7 in. (95mm) wide and 8 in. (202mm) tall (you could fit longer objects in the outer pockets since there's no flap in the way).

The eight slots are not quite an inch wide. Regular pens and pencils and paintbrushes with slender handles fit easily into the slots.

The Sendak Mini Artist Roll Regular Pens

Even though the Peg & Awl website says that the slots will accommodate fountain pens, that is true only for medium and small sizes. I tried a variety of fountain pens with the roll. Larger pens, such as the MB 149, the Opus 88, and even a Franklin Christoph Intrinsic will not fit.

The Sendak Mini Artist Roll Fountain Pen Fit

The rugged design of the Mini Sendak means it's not meant for fancy fountain pens. Rather, this is a roll for EDC pens and artist's instruments. It's for stuffing in your backpack so you can whip out your sketchbook or journal in the middle of a meadow or at the top of a mountain. I would not take Walter (my MB 149) on hikes, thank you very much, but I would take mechanical pencils, my Spoke Pen, any of my Karas Kustoms pens or a Lamy Safari all nicely bound up in this roll.

The Mini Sendak Artist Roll is available in the following colors (mine is moss): Truffle, Almond, Coal, Moss, Slate, Spice, and All Black. It costs $120. You can add a tool protector for $8 or a monogram for $15.

Is this pricy for a pen roll? Yes. However, the products from Peg & Awl are not manufactured in bulk. They are hand made using antique materials, such as old, military-issue gun slings. The craftsmanship is exquisite, so if you appreciate handmade goods, you'll love the Sendak Mini Artist Roll.

(My sweet husband purchased the Sendak Mini Artist Roll for me for Christmas.)

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!

Posted on April 16, 2021 by Susan Pigott and filed under Peg and Awl, Pen Case.

Kokuyo NeoCritz Flat Pencil Case Review

When you love bags and you love pens and pencils, pen cases tend to be an intersection of many joys. They are for me. And Kokuyo generally makes good ones, but I don’t love the NeoCritz Flat Pencil Case. I say this with full awareness that I'm a bit particular. But I feel like "flat" is not the best shape for storing three-dimensional objects, especially more than a few of them.

The adorable, limited-edition floral patterns are what first caught my eye on these--plus the Kokuyo brand, which is one that often delights me. The design also seemed innovative, and I have to try every new kind of pen case.

The concept here is that the case, which has two zippers, can unzip into a standing wedge shape and serve as a handy pen cup--then it can be zipped closed and taken on the go. When in cup form, the top can also fold down. It's a great idea in theory, but doesn't quite work for me in practice.

The biggest limitation to this case is its capacity. The slim design only holds a few pens, and the smaller front pocket--which is great and convenient when the case is in cup form--has to be essentially empty for the case to close at all. Anything larger than a slim eraser will block the zipper. And maximum zipped capacity is around ten skinny pens. When it's in cup form, though, it can hold at least twice that. I love this way more as a pen cup than as a case.

I think this could work well if you only need a few supplies, like a sketch set or a handful of paint brushes you want to take out on an adventure. But it doesn't work terribly well as storage, or if you, like me, want to bring All The Colors with you at all times.

I am happy to use it as a cheerful pen cup. The colors are wonderful, and the polyester fabric cleans up well. And the double zipper does make access easy, even when the case is nested in a crowded backpack. It does have a lot going for it, and I expect it would delight many users. As I said, I'm a bit picky. You could probably hand me a pen case the size of the Hindenburg and I'd say that I wish it held more pens. But I really do wish this one held more pens.

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