Posts filed under Pen Case

Rickshaw Bagworks Peter Pen Ocean Blue 6-Pen Coozy Roll Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

Carrying multiple high-value pens can be more difficult than it sounds. The ideal bag or pouch is something that can offer sufficient protection from the outside world as well as from the other pens inside, but you also want something that is easy to handle and stow. There are plenty of options out there, which gives us, the consumers, our pick of aesthetic and function.

The Rickshaw Bagworks Peter Pen Ocean Blue 6-Pen Coozy Roll is a lovely little pen roll that uses fun materials to carry your pens in style. While the name of this product isn't exactly simple, the design and functionality is. There are six discreet slots for full-size pens, and the case rolls up and stays closed with an elastic drawstring closure. It's cute, holds a nice variety of pens, and keeps your pens safe.

While it's not a "bomb-proof" storage solution that you can use in harsh environments, it does an excellent job of storing and carrying pens for the other 99% of us that just need a neat package to toss in another bag. There isn't a closure or flap to cover the pouch opening where the pens go in and out, but I've found that the pens are really snug and secure once you've rolled the case up — the elastic closure makes it all even more snug and compact. I was a little worried that pens would easily slide out of the pouch when it was upside down, but I can verify that even vigorous shaking while holding the bag upside down isn't enough to jostle the pens loose from their snug compartments.

The inner lining reminds me of the type of material you find on the inside of a super comfortable jacket or a soft blanket. It's very soft and luxurious, and doesn't leave any micro-scratches or scuffs on your pens. As an added bonus, the bright blue color makes it easy to see what you've stowed in each compartment.

The outer material is a durable Cordura nylon material that features the artwork of Peter Draws — an illustrator with a large YouTube presence. This pattern is also used on the Nahvalur Original Ocean Blue fountain pen! The outer seams of the bag are finished with a sturdy black trim piece as an added measure against wear and tear. Overall, the bag feels really solid and well made all around. All the stitches are tidy and strong, there aren't any stray threads or loose material, and it feels substantial in your hands even when there aren't any pens inside.

The elastic closure works by looping the elastic cord over the rolled case, and then cinching it tight with the spring clasp. After a little practice, it's pretty easy to use, and I've been really happy with how secure it is. I favor simple closure mechanisms over fiddly ones, and this one makes me happy to use.

In the little while I've had to use this case, I've reached for it more often than not. It's easy for me to find six pens that I want to carry with me, and this case is aesthetically pleasing and utilitarian in all the right ways.

At $49.00, it's a little more expensive than other fabric cases, but this case uses premium materials and premium manufacturing. When you hold it in your hand and use it, it feels like it should be worth the price. It feels thick and durable and like it will last decades to come. For a unique and well-made product like this, the price to value ratio is fantastic.

You can pick up your own Rickshaw Coozy Roll in a variety of colors, and there are also different sizes and designs for all types of carry needs you might have. If you haven't delved into what Rickshaw Bagworks offers yet, get on it!

(Goldspot provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on April 19, 2023 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Rickshaw, Pen Case, Accessories Review.

Itoya Profolio Midtown Pouch Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

There's always more room in my stationery cabinet for more pen pouches, and a recent newcomer for my collection is the Midtown pouches from Itoya's Profolio division. These come in both small and large formats, and both are really useful for keeping your things organized inside drawers or bags.

While some pen pouches consist of just one pocket with a zipper, these pouches feature a sleeve in the middle that creates two discreet pouches. The adds a nice level or internal organization without adding much bulk.

The pouches are made of a thick felt material, so it's both soft and protective. The color coordination make it feel a little special instead of a pen pouch that only uses one color for the fabric. In my case, I opted for the black and wintergreen colorway, but I had a really hard time choosing. All of the color options they have are attractive.

On the outside, the cases are smooth and clean. The stitches are well done, but I don't expect them to last forever since they're made out of felt. That isn't a knock against felt, but I just don't think it holds up as long as something like nylon fabric.

The zippers are smooth and easy to operate. The inclusion of a pull tab on the end of the zipper is a welcome addition. It makes closing the case easy. One thing that I really dislike about the case design is that the zipper doesn't actually seal the case entirely. At both ends of the zipper, there's a small gap that can allow things to fall out if you're not careful. It's not a big deal on the small case because even a wood case pencil is a tight fit, but the large case has a gap that's large enough for a regular fountain pen to slip through. I don't think this would happen easily, but the right conditions could mean losing a pen or pencil that you value. With that in mind, I only use these pouches when I know they won't be thrown around or jostled very much.

Inside the pouches, you're greeted with a fun color contrast because the slim pouch in the middle that divides the larger pouch into two sides is a different color. In my case, the divider is a bright wintergreen while the rest of the pouch is black. Each side of the main pouch has plenty of room to store all kinds of things. The small pouch is even large enough to store unsharpened wood case pencils! The dividing pouch is slim and doesn't expand, so its storage capabilities are limited. It's great for storing something flat. The divider in the small case isn't deep enough to hold a 3.5x5.5 inch pocket notebook, but the large case divider is perfect for a pocket notebook.

In terms of the size, there are two options: small and large. At 4x7 inches, the small size might be poorly named, but I think it strikes a great balance in portability and how much you can store inside it. I can easily fit about 15 to 20 gel pens in each interior pocket of the small case, and while it does expand quite a bit, it's still very stow-able.

The large pouch comes in at 5x9 inches, which doesn't sound like much but translates to a much roomier pouch that holds almost too much stuff. This pouch is large enough to handle small electronics and power bricks along with plenty of stationery goods.

These cases certainly aren't my top choices for storing or transporting more valuable pens since they might get scratched or dinged, but they've been fantastic for throwing a bunch of pens and tools into the pouches, tossing the pouch into a bag, and going out. The thick felt is pleasant to use and offers plenty of protection to what's inside. And with two size options, you can find plenty of different ways to use these pouches.

The small pouch comes in at just $5.99, and the large pouch is $7.99. Look, they're zippered pouches with a divider inside — they hold stuff and they look cool. If you need a pouch, pick one up! Choosing a color is the most difficult part about this proposition.

(Goldspot provided this product at a discount to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Posted on April 5, 2023 by Jeff Abbott and filed under Itoya, Pen Case.

Nomadic's Wise-Walker PF-03 Carbonium Pen Case C 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!)

I love pen cases, and I love pockets, so if you fill a pen case with pockets, you have my attention. And considering several positive past experiences with Nomadic's Wise-Walker products, this Carbonium Pen Case was a must-try.

The case is made from a polyurethane with a woven-like texture that mimics carbon fiber. The look is sleek, but vintage. The case has two main pockets with silver zippers and poly-tab zipper pulls. The front main pocket has a nylon mesh bottom so items are visible from the outside of the case.

Inside the large main pocket, there are So Many Pockets. The bulk of the space is divided in two by a centered zipper pocket that is perfect for holding small accessories. There is a larger space on either side of this pocket. On the front wall of the case, there are two mesh pockets, and on the back wall, there is one long nylon pocket. That's seven separate compartments for keeping your treasures organized. Consider me charmed.

One thing I noticed fairly quickly is that the pockets and placements mimic a tech case more than a traditional pen case, so of course I had to test-pack it with both stationery and gadgets.

It worked great for pens, notes, and washi tapes. The slip pockets are the perfect size for a roll of washi, the larger compartments can hold lots of gel pens or highlighters, and the interior zipper pocket is great for erasers and clips.

It worked equally well for tech. It fits phones, portable chargers, cables, and dongles well. It even fits my camera and all my camera essentials, with spare batteries and memory cards safe in the central zipper pouch. In fact, as I type this, the case is traveling with my husband across the country with all his tech inside, including all his chargers and cables and a mini handheld game console.

It would even make a decent clutch or EDC kit case. The well-planned pockets make it very versatile, and the waterproof fabric provides added benefits, though the zippers are not waterproof.

The zippers are actually my one and only issue with this case. They're a bit flimsy feeling, with small teeth and a thin fabric backing. It feels like I'm going to break the zippers--though I haven't broken them, despite some aggressive handling. They just feel cheap on an otherwise excellent case.

The Nomadic Wise-Walker PF-03 itself is not too expensive, anyway, at only $22 at JetPens. That's just over $3 per pocket, which is well worth the cost. I've paid much more than that for cases that weren't as functional as this one. And I'll probably have to buy a duplicate of this one, as I suspect the spouse has permanently adopted the original.

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

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