(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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