Posts filed under Pen Case

Esterbrook 2GO Pen Cup 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'm all over the place this month—in a different city every weekend, and all over the map in between, so my "desk" needs to be on the move with me. Transporting a pleasant variety of pens is an essential part of that portable office, which makes for the perfect opportunity to try out clever new pen case designs.

The new drawstring 2GO Pen Cup from Esterbrook has been my carry for the past week, and it has been wonderful in some ways, and falls a bit short in others.

First of all, to get the obvious out of the way, it's super cute. I love the cotton canvas fabric, the classic stenciling, and the color, which happens to perfectly match my planner cover and purse. It's sturdy and well-made, and feels like it will last a long time, even with regular use. In fact, the fabric feels like it will only get better with use, like a comfy pair of jeans. The leather drawstring gives it a rustic vibe, and the suede interior is very soft. The ribbed knit cuff at the top of the case brings a cosy feel to the leather and canvas.

The case is designed so that you can use it as one big open space, or use the included divider to keep pens separate inside. It's a bit fiddly getting the insert aligned correctly—it keeps wanting to fold on itself—but once the pens are in place, they help it keep its shape. The flexibility of it does allow it to cushion pens of various sizes, so I can put narrow pencils next to beefy fountain pens and the insert will adjust itself accordingly. It also lends the case some structure, so it can stand up like a pen cup, and the top fabric folds down so that the pens are easily visible and accessible.

As far as its shortcomings, the first is exactly that—it's a bit short, so it can't fit taller pencils, and even some pens may not be the best fit. Standard ballpoint or gel pen length works best. I also wasn't able to cinch the top cord shut all the way, due to the thickness of the fabric. So there's always an open gap at the top, wide enough for a pen to slip through if I were to tip it upside down. For me, that means it's not the right case for any of my more delicate pens. But most of my favorite pens are delicate ones, which means I either need to bring them in a second, separate case, or I need to just use a different case altogether, which is ultimately what I did.

Another issue is that this case retails for $59.95, which surprised me a bit. That seems quite high. Yes, the materials are very nice and the construction and design are well done, but oof. That's a very high-end price, and as much as I like it, I'm not sure I'd pay that much for it. I've paid that much for cases before, but there was usually a clear reason why it cost so much--like small-batch handmade pieces in exclusive materials.

While this case didn't work for my daily carry, it still makes a good case for keeping on the desk at home. And it would be a great choice for when I'm bringing a handful of gel pens or fineliners to a friend's house so we can decorate planners together. While it has a few negatives, overall I do think it's a nice case, and I'll enjoy using it.

(Brad purchased this case from Dromgoole’s at the 2023 Atlanta Pen Show.)

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Posted on May 18, 2023 by Sarah Read and filed under Esterbrook, Pen Case, Accessories Review.

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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