Galen Leather Zippered Single Pen Case Review

Pocket pens are such a fun form factor — one that I really enjoy using and carrying. They're small and generally lightweight, so why not carry one with you everywhere you go? Due to this common sentiment, it's not uncommon for pocket pens to get a little battered over time as they share pockets and bags with other objects. That's where a pocket pen case comes in handy — it protects your pen while also remaining easy to carry in a pocket.

The Galen Leather Zippered Single Pen Case for Pocket Pens is a single function pen case. It holds a small pocket pen — Kaweco Sport or similar. I'm tempted to call this a pocket pen sleeve, but I think that's an inaccurate term for this product because it has a zipper that provides complete coverage. In my mind, a sleeve doesn't have a zipper — just a small slit or open end to slide the pen in and out of.

This little case is solid. The full zipper means your pen will not fall out by accident, and it has an added benefit of helping to contain any ink spill incidents. Granted, an ink spill happening inside the case while it's zipped means something else catastrophic has happened, so take that with a grain of salt.

So, like the name implies, a standard Kaweco Sport model fits perfectly. But, there are many other pocket pens out there that will also fit. I gathered up all the pocket pens I could find in my collection, and they all generally fit. As long as they are roughly 106mm (4 and 1/8 inches) or less, this case can handle it. In some cases, you can even fit two pens into the case or a couple extra cartridges. But, you can't fit two Kaweco Sports.

Using the case is a nice experience. The zipper is smooth and easy to operate, which is necessary since a pocket pen needs to be easy to deploy and store. The smooth leather material makes it easy to slip in and out of a pocket or bag, and the outside of the zipper is also smooth and doesn't hang on other fabrics.

The leather is full-grain, and all the stitching and craftsmanship is top notch. I have the undyed version, and I'm really looking forward to seeing the leather take on character through its lifespan. The fold in the case was pretty stiff when I first started using it, but it's loosened and softened a bit over the past two weeks of use.

If you're not a big fan of the undyed look, there are plenty (8!) of other color options, as well as pristine or distressed finishes.

At $15, I can heartily recommend this case to anyone looking for a little extra protection for their pocket pens (or pockets!). The design is clean and well-thought out, and I love the single function aspect. Plus, being made of leather means it will hold up well and develop lots of character with use.

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

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Retro 51 Coffee House Tornado Fountain Pen Giveaway

They gave it to me, and now I’m giving it to one of you. What exactly? The Goldspot exclusive Retro 51 Coffee House Tornado Fountain Pen, which I reviewed yesterday. This is my review pen, so it is lightly used, and it is looking for a new home. Are you interested in winning #97/250 of this pen? Read the rules below and get to entering!

Retro 51 Coffee House Tornado Fountain Pen Giveaway

Pairings Party: Retro 51 Coffee House Tornado Fountain Pen and Kobe Kitano Antique Sepia

What kind of party features a coffee-themed pen and Brown ink? My kind of party! The pairing of the Retro 51 Coffee House Tornado Fountain Pen with Kobe Kitano Antique Sepia has been my most used writing combo over the last month, and has taken the clubhouse lead early into September.

The Retro 51 Coffee House is a Goldpsot exclusive, which they kindly sent me earlier this Summer to try out. The black-based pen features chalkboard-style graphics you can find at a coffeehouse - beans, mugs, presses, cups, steam - the works. It’s a cool design for coffee lovers like myself, and I especially like the all-black hardware.

That includes the nib, which is coated black to match the rest of the pen. Retro 51 switched over to Jowo nibs years ago, and this #6 Fine nib writes nicely. The black coating may add the slightest bit of line width compared to a standard uncoated steel nib, or it could be a placebo effect. There are so many variables to take into account beside nib width - ink properties and paper, for starters. Regardless, this one writes smoothly, and the ink flows well.

This pen also fits my hand well. The underlying barrel is stainless steel, but it’s not heavy. There is some weight to it, but it is well-balanced throughout the tapered barrel. The metal section has a slight concave toward the nib for a solid gripping surface. The cap is threaded, taking two turns to remove or replace, and the clip provides a strong attachment.

In choosing an ink, there was no chance I was inking this pen up with anything but Brown. This shade has been edging towards the top of my usage list for the past year, after years of avoiding it. Antique Sepia was recommended to me by a friend after bemoaning the limited nature of Sailor Tea Time Series Fika Coffee Ink, one of my favorites.

This ink is a rich, dark brown that could easily pass a “normal” ink in a business setting. Some lines lean black, and some of the thinner areas of shading bring in the brown. Let’s keep it on theme here and call it a nice Medium Roast. There is a hint of green sheen with the right amount of ink on the right type of paper, but I rarely see it from my standard writing on Bank paper, PLOTTER paper, or Kokuyo paper - all of which I’ve used this combination with heavily.

The Retro 51 Coffee House Tornado Fountain Pen is $119 from Goldspot, and Kobe Kitano Antique Sepia is $30 at Vanness Pens. The Retro 51 is at a premium from their standard offerings, primarily due to the store exclusive/limited edition nature of the pen, plus the awesome artwork and finishes. Standard Retro 51 fountain pens start around $65 if you are looking to try out a great pen, but don’t need a full caffeine fix. $30 for 50 ml of Kobe (ie. Sailor,) ink is fine by me. Yes, it is still expensive/ml but at least the multiplier is 50, instead of the smaller bottles Sailor loves so much.

I drink coffee every day, often many times a day, so this pen and ink combo has been a blast to use. I just had to make sure I had the real thing flowing through my veins before attempting to write with the pen and ink version.

(Goldspot provided this pen at no charge, and Vanness Pens provided the ink at a discount, to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, for which I am very grateful.

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