Comparing Pen Cases - Some Thoughts!
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- čas přidán 20. 04. 2022
- In this video, I compare 3 small leather fountain pen cases: Girologio 12 pen in Oxblood, Galen Leather 10 pen in Crazy Horse, and Ashton 10 pen in Tan. I also tell you which is my favorite and go over features of each case - although this is far more of a show and tell opinion piece than review - it may still offer you some details if you're considering one of these. I purchased these (with my own money) from the following places: Goulet, Vanness, and Pen Chalet.
At the end of the video I show and talk about my favorite quick access pen cases for currently inked/daily writing pens and explain that I'm using these leather cases at the moment for pen storage vs currently inked.
These cases at the time of recording the video range from $39.99 to $64. Check your local pen retailers for current prices.
Thank you so much for watching! At the end screen I have linked the related videos in case you want details on any that I have fully reviewed.
My Instagram: / snowball7470 (a mix of Texas life, cats, pens and inks and whatever is happening in my life).
Pen Email: chris@inkswatch.com
Visit Ink Swatch for inky comparison tools and links to many reviewers ink reviews: inkswatch.com/
I'm so happy you mentioned your Rickshaws! I have some myself, and love them.🌟
Hi Liz -- they are fantastic right!!!!!
Girologio is quite a name to pronounce, glad you made the effort, it becomes easier after a few tries. Tbh, I had the same experience with calling out my Grab N Go in Oxblood, too.
Smooth zipper function is so important to me. Like I said in a different video of yours, I’m so happy with the Aston 10 leather case you recommended. I would have been disappointed with the zipper function on the girologio? case. I’m not sure where I saw the idea of putting a list of currently inked pens in the card slot on the Aston. I’m using this case for my inked pens, and wow! do I love it!
I do feel as if the Girologio zipper is very smooth but you get slowed down because the material around it is not stiff enough even when the case is full of pens to provide that tightness that then makes the zipper glide like the Ashton. :)
Thanks for the excellent video, Msdam. Personally, I liked the Girologio; I feel that it combines a good size-to-capacity ratio, plus has some nice, and safe zippers, and has two elastic bands per pen, which seems to secure better the pens from being loose when traveling. The Galen's zipper seems quite intimidating for scratching the pens; and I do not like the fact that it has only one elastic band for every pen.
Hi @7_v610 each case seems to offer something distinctly different!!!! The more time that goes by I'm favoring the Galen Leather ones even with having to watch out for the zippers!
@@ChrisSaenz13 indeed - for each individual things might play differently. Personally, I ordered a Pelican case, which costed some good money, I can tell!
Great info in the pen cases Chris. I love the Franklin Christoph 6 pen Penvelope for all of my currently inked writing pens. My drawing pens are in a Lihit zipper pouch along with other drawing supplies and I have a pen roll to keep all my currently unused pens in. I also have a 4 pen Nock case. So much to enjoy and love!
Hi lju5001 - the penvelope sounds really really cool - I think I've seen a picture of one on Instagram! :) For a long time I took my Nock Sinclair case for granted ... suddenly I realized how I use it every single day it's almost like an old wallet (the blue one) and it wins top practical spot in my pen case journey!!!!! :)
I wish the nock Sinclair’s were still available
Of course, I have to make a comment before I finish watching your video, but I have to say how impressed I was with the Galen leather packaging! I ordered a field notes cover from them (for my food entries/daily log) and also kept the box, beautiful charm and postcard. I sent them an email thanking them and letting them know how much I appreciate things like that. They responded with a very nice letter. I will be placing more orders from them in the future! OK….back to the video :)
Oh their packaging when ordering directly from Galen is quite an amazing experience!!! I have ordered direct from them twice and I was impressed with the extras and the note and everything. :)
Beautiful pen cases. I've been trying to decide between the Galen Leather 6 or 10 pen case. I have a Galen Leather zipper folio in that crazy horse brown color. I hope you have a great weekend my friend.
Hi Mike -- have a great weekend!!!!
Hi Chris, this was interesting! I absolutely love my Girologio 12 pen case🥰, mine is in the bomber brown finish, the leather is matte not shiny which I prefer. The divider on the inside is a tartan design in different shades of brown, lovely. The zipper works perfectly, I press down the corners a bit while closing it.
I use mine for my TWSBI Ecos and Diamond 580 and a couple of Lamy special edition, one of the the LX Maroon. I bought mine from New Zealand, they are actually made in India but the company is Canadian. I think that is why they so affordable!! I also use a couple of Lihit Lab Smart fit cases for my Lamy Safari and TWsBI Go and Swipe pens. I can fit 8 in each of those. I really like your purple Nock Sinclair but they where crazy expensive over here😬. My pens in use I know keep in my empty Colorverse and Sailor Ink Studio bottles, I love seeing them on my desk😍
Hi Tanja -- I think if I didn't experience the tighter build of the Ashton I'd not even be that picky because I really like the Girologio case and the zipper is fine it just is not as firm a material around it ... I'm lacking the words to describe it but it's such a slight and nuanced difference .... for the price difference it wouldn't even likely be noticeable to most people. :) I love your idea of using the empty ink bottles to display pens -- that is so creative and original!!!!!! :)
Great video, Chris, thank you! I myself have a couple of the 20 pen cases from Aston, but my inked pens live on my desk either in Rickshaw Coozy's much like you , or else in my frankllin-christoph 6 penvelope, which easily holds eight, which is the most I ever have inked (and I try to keep it below six). I almost tried one of the Giroligio cases, and I'm glad I didn't because that zipper would have driven me crazy! The Galen leather continues to tempt me - but I don't need any more pen cases. Somehow they then fill up with pens!
Yes it's funny because the Girologio zippers are perfectly good but the looseness of the material around it makes the zipper drag on the one I have. Not a huge deal but enough to make me prefer the Ashton by quite a lot. :)
Great video and very helpful. I broke down and got the large Galen case and like it for the pens that aren't inked. I have the Rickshaw bag also and really like it. I thought I would get the large wooden one but decided the Galen would hold all the pens I have and not take too much room on the shelf. I am a huge fan of Galen and got their messenger case for my every day. It holds my journal and all my currently inked pens, plus room for washi tape and some ephemera. But it is not small. It does take me a while to save up for the Galen items though.
Hi Cynthia -- Oh that's really nice you got the large Galen case -- I saw that they had a really big capacity one! :)
I'm so glad I purchased two Nock Sinclairs before the company shut down. They are great! I also have one Nock Tallulah for two pens plus a little notebook, and wish I had another. That being said, I love all my Rickshaw cases and rolls and have quite a few (I use them for storage too, which I know is unusual). For one more vegan option for pen carry, I'd recommend the Quatro in waxed canvas from Lochby. It's soft but protective and holds four pens offset so that they don't rub against each other, with a few pockets on the outside for small items. Great for carry in a purse or bag!
Hi Marilyn -- I always wished I had gotten an orange Sinclair lol I'm not even sure when they did the limited run or what kind of deal it was but I am very glad I got the 2 I have. Maybe in the future they will do limited runs ? was something I thought I heard but I'm not too sure. Ah yes I loved the Quatro -- I had it in black though so I sent it to a non white cat owner lol ... as mine would have to be lint rolled daily with Coco in residence. :) So many great pen bags and choices out there!!!!
I guess I'm just "old-fashioned." 😁
Though I have the 36 pen display box my kid sister got for my birthday and 2 48 pen cheapies from Amazon for pens either not currently in use or waiting to be restored, EDC it's my shirt pocket, usually. Currently about 5 and one on my table for rent check writing. I'm seldom not home, and even going out, I generally don't need a case for pens. They'd just be too awkward for me to carry...
Hi Paul -- well I'd say not old fashioned but definitely = practical and sensible!!!! :) Me on the other hand, I seem to have to try everything.
I do go out to dog sit on Saturday's and I almost always take my Rickshaw 8 pen coozy/roll or the Nock Sinclair in a tote bag with the other stuff since we stay quite awhile. :)
In the "old" days pre-Covid I used to go to classes and everything and I loved using my nice things for that .... I dearly hope to get back to my "normal" pretty soon ... it seems almost like a lifetime ago.
Your pen display box sounds really cool!!!!!!! :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 Like the 48 pen notebook type, it was from Amazon. Currently it's mostly vintage Esterbrook pens. 😉
I have a nice pen case (24) by Georgilio). I like the two bands. What I am looking for is the two or three pen cases. All three are very nice
Hi Edward -- I had a nice 3 pen leather case I gave to my nephew - I had bought it at Anderson I think and it was really reasonable $ but I found I didn't use it enough it's pictured in the banner for my channel I believe.
I have purchased 2 different FP cases from Amazon and I’m real happy with them! One is the KACO and it holds 20 pens. I keep my Lamy pens in there. The other is the 48 PU leather case and I was pleasantly surprised by that one as well. I’m always hesitant to read Amazon reviews because I see the craziest pictures in there which deters me from completing the order. I can’t speak for all, but I can tell you, I ordered 2 of these ( yes, I have too many pens lol) and I’m real happy with them!
I’m glad you brought the rickshaws into this video bc after seeing them all, I know which one to get. The roll up one. I thought I would like the case and all the other sleeves, but I don’t really travel with my fountain pens. I mean the 3 sleeve pouch is still nice, but I’d get more bang for my buck with the 8 pen case roll up for my currently inked pens. I could put my nicer pens in the Aston.
Hi Arose4me -- oh yes I fully expect I'll forever use my 8 pen (Coozy) roll from Rickshaw - it's one of my favorite possessions!!!!!! :) Nice to hear of the Kaco options -- in retrospect I think they may be constructed better than the Monteverde cases which one of mine is perfect the other had elastics break over the long haul which I failed to mention. I need to go pin a comment.
Hi Chris, Excellent review of these cases. I am torn between Aston and Galen. I noted that when you put the big chunky pen in the Galen case, you didn't have to tuck in the flap because the big pen raised it up. I guess they have to make the flap able to accommodate the larger pens. Galen does seem perfect for your pocket pens. You also make a good case 😜 for the Nick cases. ♥️ Thank you for this review.
Nock cases
Hi Erin -- it's hard trying to decide - I think that's why last year when plush with pen money I got one of each to test out. I still LOVE the looks of the Galen Leather but now I realize it has it's capacity limits and maybe one side with pens is better if they are full sized or big pens -- I think they make a case for 5 and a notebook which might have been a better option for me. :)
Hi Chris, i have a 12pen leather case for when i travel; usually when i go dog sitting at my sons, but i need my FP with me.
I looked at the wooden cases but wayyyy out of my budget, so there was a sale on kcups storage. Nice wood box wih a window in the cover .they were not finished, but sanded. I cut out the insert that held the little cups. That was the hardest part. Then i glued dollar store skewers at every half inch. Covered that with some nice cream suede from an old skirt- the fabric was too nice to get rid of - i stained the wood a deep burgundy . I actually could have another tray on top, but not necessary for the time being. Part of what i love about my pens is looking at them. So when I'm in my office, i see them , they are secure and easy to grab if in a hurry. I bought 3of them one still not done. Hopefully soon. I also have a 2pen case for my purse. I have been known to put 3 in it. Funny how this hobby can help us learn how to do other things eh,! Have. Good weekend.
Hi Ann-Ingrid -- wow your pen display project sounds very creative! Yes, we often end up learning all kinds of neat "skills" to support our pen hobby!!!!!! :) Happy weekend to you!!!!!
That HUB pen case is perfect for your TWSBI pens! Very nice find! If you ever want to sell your yellow or purple ALR, I will gladly buy them! I’ve been trying to find them on eBay with no luck so far.
Hi Arose4me -- there are several of the Eco colors I wish I had. I've stopped looking since my walllet is busy with other things this year but I know it takes so much time sometimes to locate an item on ebay but don't give up ... I'm sure eventually they will turn up. There may be some places I'm not aware of to look for used fountain pens too ... but I try to always shop only where I feel confident if something were to go wrong with the transaction. :) Good luck!
@@ChrisSaenz13 I got real lucky with one on eBay. The lime one. I didn’t know how hard it was to find and I made a lowish offer and she accepted. It was brand new and quite a deal. I have more than enough pens to keep me busy for a lot time, though. Seeing all these pretty color pens makes me feel I have to have them and I don’t. I was nodding with you when you were talking about the heart and the brain in a previous video and about when you wanted a red pen. I totally understand! Everything about this hobby makes me happy and is uplifting for a lack of a better word. I just need to keep enjoying the ones I have. I say that and then see a pen and think ohhhhhh i want that pen and there goes my heart lol. Luckily, I listen to my brain most of the time. 😁
Thanks for sharing
You are very welcome!
What is the beautiful frosted white pen, in the Ashton case? I don't have any leather cases, but I'm beginning to need one. I have Rickshaw bags right now.
Hi Teresa -- the pearl looking pen is a custom "mother of pearl" is what my pen friend named it. It is from a blank from Allen Meyers - Abalone Resin. It is a Bulls Eye Turning kit called Apollo -- my pen friend makes pens from kits ... gosh I need to ink that pen up it's just stunning. :)
I would HAVE to trim those inside pieces on the Galen Leather case. That little extra would drive me crazy. I think I would use a pencil to draw the correct line and trim with VERY sharp scissors or and Exacto. All that being said, I also love that Ashton one. It would be my favorite too.
Hi Becca -- I may yet get brave and trim the leather. I probably wouldn't be the first to do so lol.
@@ChrisSaenz13 🤔maybe before you trim✂️the leather, put the biggest & thickest pens you own in there, to see if you still would need to nib & tuck🙂
I mean first work out which pens you might store in there in the future🤷♀️
The Galen leather pen case has a lot of excellent qualities. However, I find that I am hesitant to zip the case when both sides of the case are filled. I also have an Ashton and have no issues with it. I was disappointed with the Galen case because I wanted a special case for my Pelikans to display and store safely. Even more disappointing that I let Galen know that their cases were too thin, and they ignored my email. Personally, I won't be buying anymore.
Hi Melinda -- My pocket pens were the ones that finally found a home in the case and that's when I realized maybe the case that holds 5 plus a thin notebook would have been a better purchase. I'm really sorry to hear your email went unanswered!
@@ChrisSaenz13 I know what you mean! They posted the positive feedback I gave on another item I purchased at the same time, but ignored the less than 5 star feedback on the tight-fitting pen case.
Hi Melinda, that was my experience too. I love and use the one with 5 pens on one side and a notebook on the other. But the ones with pens on both sides are way to thin for my opinion. I am scared to close it with both sides filled.
I hit "like" but I dot actually like that you had the same experience.
I guess I'm relieved that I'm not being too picky ...... They're just too tight.
Take care!
I thought I should let it be known that I was contacted by Galen Leather concerning my negative comment about their zippered pen cases. They offered me a store credit, replacement if the item I purchased, or the molded pen case with a magnetic clasp. I chose the Magnum Opus 6 pen case. It arrived yesterday, and it is beautiful! I have no concerns about the safety of my expensive pens. So I thought it only fair to let it be known that Galen's customer service came to the rescue, and I am happy with their resolution. I will continue to be a customer.
I have three Manhattan Portage five pen cases--and they actually hold seven or eight. They are Cordura with a nylon toothed zipper and at $25.00 are a great value. I have some handmade leather sleeves for EDS, and one Rickshaw single because I through it was cute. Rickshaw makes nice stuff but the prices are insane.
I just can't warm up to Galen or anything expensive that uses elastic, which will blow out, depending on where you live sometimes in short order. I also care about where things are made and by whom, so I tend to avoid things made in Asia and India.
Hi Jackie - I need to look for those Manhattan Portage five pen cases - they sound amazing! :) I've seen some of their great bags online. :)
@@ChrisSaenz13 Amazon has them in stock now! They have, however, gone up to 30. There is a half zip and clamshell and while they are both great I prefer the latter.
As I think about your review I must confess I find myself tempted by the Galen Kaweco Sport case! They are such a great company and I would like to support them, so someday!
So you have ~50 pens now? Might i suggest the Girologio 48 pen case (double looped per pen) on Pen Chalet? With your Air Force background/discount the price is only ~$75 (since you said you prolly wouldn't spend over $100), if you sell off the cases you don't need at that point for this one, youll have the case to fit all you pens securely. I have it & its served me well for years & helped staying within a reasonable pen collection (personally).
I'm only suggesting because youtube "outed" you at the end of the video by showing your Monteverde 36 pen case review from 4 years ago (unless you put the link there), what happened to that case/mindset for a grab & go option in case of hurricane/storm/etc.?
Just a honest/friendly question, i'm not criticizing you for how YOU want to store YOUR pens, just convenience/price helping you if you feel you want a more convenient way to store them all together more securely/quickly in case (pun not intended). God bless Chris!
Hi Rob - oh I have way more than 50 fountain pens although I'm not proud of that or unduly embarrassed either - it just is what it is and I don't have an accurate count but it's 100+ for sure. My thoughts have changed in terms of hurricane evacuation prep and I'd now take no more than 8 to 12 pens in the smallest case I could get into my backpack. It's funny how our ideas change. However, I don't delete old videos lol. (A You Tuber I liked deleted all their videos and I was so sad - that made an impression on me.) I was the one who posted the related pen case videos on the end screen ... even though they are old. :) For this year, I've decided not to purchase stuff and to just really use what I have before giving or selling pens, cases or inks so that finally I stop acquiring more. Except for what is sent to me that I can't control. :) I like the suggestion though about the 48-pen Girologio - it will undoubtedly help someone and go into my memory for future reference so thank you! :)
I have two leather cases with 36 & 12 pen capacity. The rest of my not inked pens are stored in small repurposed biscuit tins. Pens in use I leave lying around the house on various surfaces. In reality, I don't really store some of my pens properly 🤣
Hi Annie -- I love tins!!!! They are just as fun for me as cigar boxes!!!!! :) Hope all is well for you, Daisy and your family!
1. How nice to hear a reviewer pronounce Italian correctly. Not important, but pleasant.
2. Trim those Galen flaps already!
3. As my pens never leave the drawing room, and none qualify as precious, I'm happy with mug storage. Every pen visible and you can pull one out in 3 seconds.
Hi Ichiro -- oh wow I said it right that's amazing - it was awkward sounding I thought based on how it's spelled but I may yet get used to it!!! :) I should get brave and trim the flaps. :) Mug storage sounds so simple and smart. I think what deters me (because I have a mug I'd like to use) is my kitty Coco is very intrusive and likes to play with shiny things :).
What's the name of the purple and blue/green cases that you like?
They are the Nock - Sinclair cases.
I’ve a 12 pen and a 60 pen ‘display cases’ apart from a few 1 pen, 2 pen and 3 pen cases..
Pls let me know if your 12 pen Galen Leather ‘pocket pen’ case was successful in stopping you from buying more pocket pens..
I’ve 18 pocket pens now and all I’m thinking about (for future purchase) are pocket pens. Need some “expert advice on how to handle pocket pen addiction” 😃
LOL Hi Sathish -- it has been awhile since I purchased a pocket pen .... I do think that having ALL of them together helps my mind realize I have more than I can use. But this year I just don't have the heart for accumulating any more hobby things which is good, surprising and long overdo ... however, I'm not sure about the why. :) I definitely went crazier when it came to TWSBI Ecos so I am poorly qualified to give any advice lol. Even seeing those all in one case has helped since the case is full when all TWSBIs are in it and it just tells me ... okay that's it. :) (that's a 24 pen case - good grief!)
@@ChrisSaenz13 Thank you !