REVIEW: GALEN LEATHER ZIPPERED 3 & 10 PEN CASES

Pen cases come in many shapes and forms. Not only to fit your personal style, but also to cater to your specific use case: Carry a single pen, or 10? Stay-at-home or writer on the go? Convenience and style, or portability? Especially in more recent years, Galen Leather has really put a lot of attention in catering to a wide audience with their pen cases and display boxes, churning out a boatload of new products in different sizes, shapes, and finishes, with almost 25 models currently available (and a few exciting novelties still to come!)! 

Particularly the 'classic' style of zippered pen cases with elastic loops are quite well-represented on Galen's website. I already reviewed one of them, the Galen Leather Zippered 10-pen case & A5 notebook holder, though that one served sort of a dual purpose between pen case and notebook folio. In this review, we'll have a closer look at the more traditional pen cases they offer, aimed solely at carrying pens: the Zippered 3-, and 10-slot pen cases. Once again, I'd like to thank the Galen team for sending over these  products for review!

There's a wide variety of sizes to choose from with Galen's Zippered pen cases, and the layout depends slightly on the size you go for. Regardless of size, the designs are all kept quite simple and clutter-free, with minimal branding on the backside. The main attraction is of course the wide variety of colored leathers you can choose from to match your style. I personally really like Galen's trademark 'Crazy Horse' leather (love the name!): smooth and soft leather with a pronounced distressed look that picks up a lovely patina with use. It gives the case a more casual look (as opposed to glossy or full-grain leather), and it's already scratched and scuffed out of the box, so you don't have to pamper it.

With the 3-pen case, you even get some spare room for business cards or, for example, a Galen Card Book

The smaller 3- and 5-pen cases (pictured here is the 3-pen version, but they both share a similar design) have all pens on one side, with room for some small loose papers or cards on the opposite side (the slightly larger 5-pen case even fits a Field Notes style pocket notebook!). 

The 3-pen case is made from a single, seamless piece of leather, which folds around the spine of the case on the long side. The way the case is assembled doesn't allow it to open up completely flat on its own, unfortunately. 

The larger 6- and 10-pen cases divide the pens across both sides. Interestingly, there's a soft microfiber divider on each side of the case, and they are attached from the top. The way they did the dividers looks a bit unusual and perhaps unnecessary to have one on both sides. Though you can fold them over quite easily, allowing you to display your pens without the dividers in the way. The zipper on the larger cases (an even more 'heavy-duty' metal one than on the smaller models) opens up further into the spine, allowing the case to lay flat without effort. 

As mentioned in my review of the 10-pen case & notebook folio, Galen recently changed to a different type of elastic band for their pen cases. The new type of elastic is more supple and soft to the touch than the ones in some of the cases I have in my hands (these particular samples are from before the switch). That said, even the least soft 'old' elastic I've tried, still didn't cause scratches or scuffs on any of the pens I tested it with.

The single row of wide elastics does a good job keeping most pens securely in place (unless they're very thin). On the 3-pen and 5-pen cases, the elastics are put closer towards the top of the case, which is both more difficult to put pens in and take them out of the case, and also giving the pens more wiggle room to bump into each other. Preferably, I'd like to see them put the elastic in the middle, like on all their other cases.

Top to bottom: Galen Zippered 3-pen and 10-pen cases, Aston Leather 10-pen case, Visconti Dreamtouch 12-pen case

Both the 3- and 10-pen cases I tested are characterized by a particularly compact form factor. Especially the 10-pen case is tiny compared to alternatives with a similar capacity (such as the 12-pen Visconti Dreamtouch case, or Aston 10-pen case). The 3-pen case measures 15.5 cm/6.1" by 9 cm/ 3.5" (about the size of a modern smartphone) and is about 3 cm/ 1.2" thick when filled with pens. The 10-pen case is a bit taller and wider: 16.5 cm/ 6.5" by 13 cm/ 5.1". 

Top to bottom: Galen Zippered 3-pen and 10-pen cases, Aston Leather 10-pen case, Visconti Dreamtouch 12-pen case

The 10-pen case also bulks up considerably due to the double layer of pens, giving it a thickness somewhere between 3.5 and 4 cm/ 1.38-1.58", depending on the pens you put in it. 

The microfiber dividers on each side of the 10-pen case add some bulk as well. It sometimes takes some fiddling to tuck them in and close the case in one elegant motion (one divider would've probably been enough). The dividers don't always cover the bottom of your pens if you carry a lot of very bulky pens, though they do still effectively keep the two sides of pens separated and protected.

A 'balanced' loadout that fits without issues. Notice that I did put the clips slightly sideways, which helps to reduce the bulk.

As expected by their compact footprints, interior space in the Galen cases is used efficiently, though that doesn't mean you have to rule out larger pens. I would say these cases are ideal for mid-sized pens, but I was honestly quite surprised by how lenient these cases are towards large, even oversized pens. Montblanc 149? Fits no problem. Leonardo Momento Zero Grande? Tight squeeze, but even that still fits. 

Only three at a time of course, but all of these pens can fit!

The 3-pen case is slightly more cramped than the 10-pen variant, but in both cases you'll especially want to watch out with pens that are very wide, because the cases do bulk up rather quickly.

A 'balanced' loadout of larger and smaller pens, that fits without issues

Especially really oversized pens (like the Leonardo MZ Grande) do tend to hug up against the metal zipper, which feels like it could scratch pens, so you'll want to pay attention when putting pens in/ taking them out of the case. This is especially something to look out for with the smaller 3-pen case, because on the 10-pen case the dividers cover up the top side and make it easier to put pens in the case without scraping against the zipper.

Galen Leather is probably best known for their creative, unique 'niche' writing accessories, like the 10-pen case & A5 notebook folio, the Writing Box, or Writer's Medic Bag. But they also have you covered when you just need a functional, no-frills EDC pen case.

The range of Galen Leather zippered pen cases offers clutter-free designs in a variety of leather options. I was surprised to see that their compact form factor still manages to offer decent carrying capacity, even for larger pens. To sweeten the deal, their prices are also very competitive compared to other leather pen cases on the market: The Galen Leather Zippered 3-pen case retails for 33€/ 39$, while the larger Galen Leather Zippered 10-pen case goes for 49€/ 58$.

These products were sent to me by Galen Leather, so I could write this review. I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affiliate links.

PEN CASE REVIEW: LOCHBY TOOL ROLL

I'll let you in on a little secret: together with the Field Journal that I reviewed a couple months ago (HERE), the relatively 'new' brand Lochby (previously known as BOND Travel Gear) gets a perfect two for two score with the Lochby Tool Roll. The latter obviously being the topic of today's review.

Even though I previously admitted that the ruggedized EDC styling of Lochby's products isn't immediately my first pick, there's just too much to like about their products. Let me elaborate...

The Tool Roll starts on the outside with very similar styling as the Field Journal: brown waxed canvas, reinforced stitched edges, and a massive metal hook to keep it securely closed. On the inside, I'm happy to see the honeycomb-stitched, warm yellow ripstop fabric make its return. I really appreciate the color scheme and the way it's laid out on all Lochby products, keeping with an overall very work-appropriate look on the outside, but a bit more festive inside. BTW, Lochby also introduced a new colorway for its entire product line recently: a super-sleek black outside, with a strongly contrasting sand-colored interior - it looks amazing! 

Besides the attention to detail for aesthetics, Lochby's products are also excellently put-together, with neat stitching all around. The rugged fabrics give a durable impression. I've been using both the Tool Roll and Field Journal extensively for the past six months, and they both still look like new!

With a history in more EDC-minded products, it makes sense that Lochby named this product the Tool Roll. Even though the rebranding to Lochby is supposed to be more focused on writing accessories, the 'Tool' roll isn't just meant to carry around pens. The multi-purpose functionality reflects in the many different pockets and elastic loops on the inside. There's a lot of space to put a wide variety of pens, artist's supplies, tools, etc. 

Extra-wide elastic loops hold pens and other tools neatly in place

The four smaller elastic loops on the left are ideally sized for pens, three slightly wider slots are perfect for oversized and very wide pens (the Opus 88 Omar, for example). Only the two extra-wide slots in the middle aren't necessarily meant for pens (although, if you don't mind, two pens can cozy up in a single slot for sure). For a more EDC-minded kit, those middle slots fit a multitool without issues (In the images I used a smaller Leatherman Squirt, but it also comfortably fits a full-size Leatherman or Swiss army knife). One thing that doesn't fit is an unsharpened (or relatively new) Blackwing pencil It's nice to have a lot of options, but I'd like to see the option for a roll with 12 (or maybe 11, with three of the medium-sized loops like the ones on the far right in this case) slots, dedicated to carrying pens.

UPDATE: Apparently Lochby already thought of the changes I suggested... before I suggested them! If you go to the product page, you'll see that the Tool Roll now has the two wide slots replaced with four small loops, so it can fit 11 pens comfortably without having to put two pens in a single space! - Awesome!

But wait, there's more! Cleverly hidden behind the pen loops, are three wide pockets that run the entire height of the case. It's the perfect size for a pocket notebook, or even a smartphone or something else that's larger but relatively thin. One downside: there are three pockets so you could technically fit three notebooks, but that does make it borderline impossible to properly wrap the case closed without bending the notebooks too much (one or two notebooks works just fine though).

And lastly, to the left of the 'main compartment' there's also a zippered mesh pouch to store small paraphernalia (I put an eraser in it, but I'm sure you can think of more exciting ways to put it to good use!). It can even hold additional pens if you really want to get the most out of your case

The Tool roll measures 20 by 40 cm (8” x 16”) when opened up, and it comfortably takes pens or other 'tools' up to 16 or 17 cm in length (6.7"). That's plenty of room for even the largest pens. Rolled up, it's more or less a cylinder that measures 10 by 20 cm (3.93" x 7.78").

Together with the wide elastic loops, the protective flaps on top and bottom cover almost the entire pens, so they have little opportunity to bump into each other. The flaps can be folded over and tucked underneath so you can display your pens while the case is on a table or something. 

Sorry Blackwing, you'll have to go!

The case holds closed by the metal clasp, that can be attached to one of four loops. The clasp itself can also be tightened or loosened on its own strap, so together that gives plenty of adjustment to choose if you want to keep the case slim and compact, or packed to the brim. Filled with pens, it does bulk up considerably, like a well-stuffed burrito (yes, that's the analogue I'm going with).

Now, one remark I have with pen roll cases in general, is that they tend to be less padded (The Lochby Tool Roll isn't padded at all), and less protective than a hard case with individual slots. I'm not the kind of person to put super-expensive pens in this kind of case and throw it in my backpack. But... that's just me and my obsessive OCD of course, because you definitely could. 

While it may not be the most protective pen case option out there, it does offer decent protection at a more compact footprint (Compared to a Dreamtouch case from Visconti with a similar 12-pen capacity, this certainly offers an easier form factor to put in a bag or backpack). I do like the Tool Roll for a more casual everyday carry for work or travel, which of course brings us back full-circle to the concept this case was built for - EDC. I guess that's a sign of thoughtful design!

Thoughtful design or not, obviously price is an important decisive factor in making a purchase decision. If this was in the same price range as more 'premium' and protective leather case from Franklin-Christoph or Visconti, it wouldn't be much of a choice. BUT, the Lochby Tool Roll is only 39$, undercutting even the most affordable options from competing products that can hold a similar amount of pens! I must say, it's quite hard to beat at a price like that.

NOTE: This product was provided by Lochby, so I could write this review. I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affiliate links.

YSTUDIO PORTABLE FOUNTAIN PEN REVIEW

Ystudio only very recently hit the fountain pen market, but they sure made quite an entry! Especially on Instagram their two new fountain pens -simply called the 'portable' and 'desk' fountain pens- have been hot items amongst some of the biggest influencers in the community (Brad from Penaddict, Catharine Mi-Sook, and Azizah from Gourmetpens to name a few). Needless to say I was quite eager to give it a try for myself, so I was very happy when Amsterdam-based design store Kohezi contacted me to see if I was interested in trying one out as well! 

There's often a discussion about new brands and products not being innovative enough, that there's a lack of 'exciting' products....Well, if this pen from Ystudio can't prove the opposite, I think I'm out of arguments.

The Ystudio portable fountain pen perfectly illustrates why I have been quite 'into' designer pen brands recently. There seems to have been a surge of new small pen brands popping everywhere, which I think has a lot to do with crowdfunding websites like Kickstarter. Platforms like this offer the opportunity to designers and creative individuals to step into the world of (fountain) pens. These design brands offer a creative and fresh look at the products we use everyday. Ystudio happens to be a 'traditional' brand that didn't take the crowdfunding route, but they still fit that category of 'young and fresh' perfectly. They offer a product that is different, something people instantly notice and recognize.

Incredible packaging for a pen in this price range!

The pen itself, called the 'portable classic', is a smaller pen with a hex profile. Ystudio describes itself as a design studio that tries to capture and honor the traditional Eastern culture, and I think they succeed quite well at doing so. The pen could be described as minimal, but at the same time it appears vintage and rustic. The complete package -together with what could be the most elaborate packaging I've ever seen on a pen in this price range- shows a clean aesthetic but retains a very obvious traditional and 'vintage' vibe. 

I might sound a bit poetic, but that's really how this pen makes me feel. It has character, and it's made to develop even more character over time. There are two versions of the Portable available, 'Classic' which is this raw copper version pictured here, and 'Brassing' which is a brass version covered in black laquer. They will both change over time, the black laquer on the Brassing will slowly wear off (or can be sanded off with the included sandpaper), the copper version will develop a beautiful patina over time. 

The name of the pen says it all, the Portable is made to be, well... portable! It comes with a wooden storage tube that holds the pen. The top of the cap is pinched and has a hole that allows it to be attached to one of two included leather strings. Put all these things together, and you can attach the Ystudio Portable to a backpack or purse, while keeping it protected inside the wooden tube. 

My opinion about this system is quite divided. On one side I think it's unique and ingenious, cleverly designed as well. But on the other side I find it a bit bothersome. I don't feel like hanging the pen inside its' wooden case somewhere where you risk it banging into everything (I don't think the wooden case would hold up very well to that kind of abuse), and it sounds a bit risky to hang a 140$ pen on the outside of a backpack, ready to get lost. I appreciate the effort they put into designing this system, and I'm certain it'll offer functionality for some, just not for me I'm afraid.

L to R: Lamy 2000, Lamy Safari, Ystudio portable, Namisu Orion, Namisu X-01

But so far for the negative side, because the pen itself is totally my kind of thing. It measures 13.8cm closed (5.4'') and 11.9cm (4.7'') without the cap. The barrel and cap have a diameter of 1.2cm (0.46''), but the section is considerably narrower (8mm/0.31'' on average). All around, the Ystudio Portable is a noticeably smaller pen. On top of that, the lack of taper in the design makes it impossible to post the cap, so size will be an important detail to consider. I found the narrow section to draw my grip forward towards the nib, which helped keep the size manageable, but if you persistently grip it higher up the barrel, you'll notice it's quite short.

The copper construction adds noticeable heft to this small pen (around 72g total), without making it feel overly heavy. I was afraid the section would prove too narrow to be comfortable, but it's actually not that bad. It required some time for me to get used to it because I usually tend to lean towards larger pens, but found it quite pleasant to use, even for longer writing sessions. If you prefer a larger pen, the Ystudio Desk pen might be ideal for you, but the trade-off is of course portability. 

The Portable comes with a smaller #5 steel nib, made by Shmidt. While Shmidt converters are practically an industry standard, their nibs are actually not that common to come by. Designwise I personally prefer Bock nibs over this. It's a standard-looking nib with the usual classic flourishes (something less cluttery might've looked better on a clean, minimal pen like this). Performance-wise I have nothing to complain about. The medium nib is stiff as a nail but runs true to size and lays down a consistent, juicy line. I never had any issues with hard starts or skipping.

Quite a narrow section, but surprisingly comfortable

For a first venture into fountain pens, I think Ystudio did a pretty great job. You get a product with a unique design and concept, and the complete package is well-made with an eye for detail. That's the least you should expect, because at 140EUR for the Portable fountain pen, and 160EUR for the Desk version, they don't exactly come cheap. Availability also depends on where you live, as they seem to mostly be available in Europe through Kohezi and a few other pen stores online.

Note: This product was sent to me by Kohezi, free of charge, so I could write this review.  I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affilate links.

NAMISU NOVA BRASS FOUNTAIN PEN REVIEW

I reviewed the Namisu Nova Ebonite a while ago (review can be found HERE), and I still enjoy that pen a lot. But it also made me want to try the metal versions of the Nova, since they also offer them in full aluminium, Titanium (and now also brass) construction. 

You might have seen my review of the Namisu X-01 rollerball prototype in brass that was sent to me a few months back (if you haven't yet seen that review, you can find it HERE), but they also included a couple other prototypes, including a solid brass version of the Nova. Perhaps you saw some of my pictures of it on social media, but I decided to hold off on the review until it was officially released (which is now). I didn't want to be a huge tease and talk about something that didn't really exist yet! 

The three prototypes. L to R: Namisu Orion Copper, X-01 rollerball, Nova brass.

In the meantime, I also bought myself a brushed titanium version of the same pen (#oneofeverythingitis). Because 1: I really like the design, A LOT. And 2: I wanted to make this more of a review about the Namisu Nova in general, so I could better put things in perspective. 

The design of the Nova is the selling point here. It's a simple cigar-shaped pen with conical finials on top and bottom, which is a shape you can regularly find from other pen manufacturers as well (such as Nakaya, or Edison,...). It's a fat pen, but with a balanced appearance due to the taper towards both ends. When closed, it's a true design object, and I find it fascinating just to look at the monolithical shape in shiny titanium or patinaed brass.

You've probably noticed -and I made it more than clear in earlier reviews- that this design style is completely my kind of thing! I like modern and minimal products, and enjoy their simplicity. But of course that's purely a matter of personal taste.

The Nova is a fairly average-sized pen, that looks a lot bigger because of the wide diameter. It measures a decent 13.9cm (5.47") closed, and 12.8cm (5") without the cap. Open, it's just the right length to fit the hand comfortably, which is good, because the cap isn't made to post (you can try but it'll do more harm than good). 

The diameter at the widest point is a bulky 1.55cm (0.6"), and the section is quite a bit narrower: 1.2cm (0.47"). The difference in diameter is obviously accounted for by a noticeable step behind the block threads, and it's quite sharp. Comfort-wise, this'll definitely play an important role, even though apart from this it's actually a very pleasant pen to hold. The curved shape fits the hand perfectly, but that step is definitely noticeable, and it's something to keep in mind. 

L to R: Namisu X-01, Nova brass, Orion copper, Lamy safari, Lamy 2000

Then we come to the -possibly- most important aspect: weight! These are all-metal, so you definitely shouldn't expect a lightweight pen. But there is definitely quite a hefty difference (literally) depending on which material you choose. The brass is the heavyweight, and comes in at 89g (63g uncapped), the titanium is lighter at 40g (30g uncapped), and the aluminium version is the lightweight at 27g (19g uncapped).

Comparing these three, the Al and brass are quite opposite ends of the spectrum, with the Ti lying somewhere in between. The titanium is the easiest of the three, and it's the safest bet when you don't know which weight would suit you best. It's not too heavy, not too light. The aluminium version is ideal if you don't like heavy pens at all, because it's only slightly heavier than acrylic or resin pens. 

The brass version is a different story. It's the outlier, and a more 'exotic' choice for people that don't mind a heavy pen. On their website, Namisu also mentions this, and recommends it for people that are looking for an oversized pen, which is exactly how the Nova brass feels with its' big and bulky appearance and the weight to match.

L to R: Namisu Nova brass, brushed titanium, ebonite.

I found that I reached for other pens more frequently compared to the brass Nova. Yes, there are more comfortable pens out there, but nevertheless I do enjoy writing with it. The trick is to lightly grip the pen and let its' weight do all the work. When you write for longer periods of time, there definitely is some fatigue from the sheer weight; But I actually found my grip to be less cramped than with some other pens (the relatively wide section definitely helped with this I think).

All Namisu pens come equipped with stock #6 Bock nibs, and so far I've had nothing but excellent experiences with these. The titanium Nova I bought with a medium Ti nib to match, and it's something else. It's springy and soft, and you can squeeze out some subtle line variation. The brass came equipped with a medium steel nib, and it's -just like the broad I tried on the ebonite nova- very smooth and has a juicy wet flow. They are reliable nibs that work well, and are pleasant to use, what more can you ask for?

Namisu's retail strategy is perhaps a bit odd and might need a little explanation: They never have all versions of every product available at a time, which can be confusing. That's because they work with batch production, so the lower quantity production means that you'll sometimes have to wait a little for the specific pen and finish you want. On the other hand, I think it also gives a certain 'exclusivity', because you know they aren't non-stop mass-produced.

Attention to detail and very precise machining

Namisu leather pen sleeve, can be bought separately

The Nova retails at a very reasonably price point. The aluminium version goes for 45 GBP (55 USD), the brass comes in at 70 GBP (now on sale for 60 GBP, which equals 74 USD), and the Ti is 75 GBP (93 USD). Prices vary a bit, depending on the currency value, and they also regularly do discounts. I think Namisu has their price point down, with excellent value for the price you pay.

Note: Certain products featured in this post, were provided by Namisu, so I could write this review.  I was in no way influenced in the making of this review, the opinions shared in this review are completely my own! This post does not contain affilate links.

LAMY STUDIO FOUNTAIN PEN REVIEW

The Lamy Studio is can be seen as a possible 'next step' for the pen enthousiast that outgrew the Lamy Safari, or for those that just want to expand their collection. It's a pen that is actually seriously underrated in my opinion, since it's one of the most flexible products in the Lamy catalog, with varying finishes at different price points, it offers something for everyone.

The Studio is a simple flattop pen, no bells and whistles for the most part... Apart from one distinct design feature: the unique 'propeller-style' twisted clip. It's a simple but beautiful aesthetic detail that defines the entire pen. Apart from looking good, the clip also functions quite well. It ends in a nicely rounded circular shape, which makes it easy to clip onto something.

Right next to the clip, you can find a small laser-engraved logo. Lamy's minimal branding (apart from that on the Safari and Al-Star) is something I always enjoy seeing. It's very unobtrusive, and I actually like the way it looks, in contrast to some pens where I think the branding disturbs the design.

At 14cm closed, and 12.6cm open, the Studio falls in the standard size range. The weight of the pen varies slightly depending on what version you get. The entry-level brushed steel version weighs only 25 grams total, other versions come in slightly higher at 31 grams. It's a decent standard sized pen that can be used comfortably without posting. The finial on the back of the barrel has a slight ridge, which allows for the cap to be posted securely, although I personally find it shifts the balance a bit too much towards the back.

L to R: TWSBI Eco, Pilot Vanishing Point, Lamy Studio, Lamy safari, Lamy 2000

I personally find this one of the most comfortable pens Lamy makes, apart from maybe the macrolon 2000. But experiences regarding comfort vary quite wildly if you read different reviews. It all depends on one thing: the grip section!

Depending on the model, you can either get a rubberised grip (brushed steel version), a glossy chrome grip, or a matte palladium grip on the palladium version. In most cases you'll end up with a glossy chrome grip. The other two offer a decent grip and are really comfortable (long, nicely shaped, very small step from section to barrel), but the chrome version can be a dealbreaker. I honestly don't understand why they would want to make so many different sections...

L to R: rubberised section, glossy chrome section, palladium section

With this in mind, I'd personally recommend getting the cheapest version, the brushed steel. The rubberised section is comfortable and grippy, and it's actually the most affordable option. It's a bit unfortunate that they don't offer the rubberised grips on all the colors and finishes, so you'll have to take it into account when you're making a choice. 

On to the nib. Here you'll also find some differences, depending on which finish and color you choose. The brushed steel, matte black and imperial blue finishes all come with steel nibs, but the palladium and Platinium versions come standard with a 14k gold nib. Again, these configurations are as-is, so you can't get a blue version with a gold nib, or a palladium version with a steel one, but you can buy nibs separately and swap them out yourself. 

The nibs, both steel and gold, are excellent writers. I'm a fan of Lamy nibs -let's make that clear-, they write consistent and smooth, and they are usually well-tuned. The gold nibs have a slight edge in my opinion, because they have a little softness to them, which gives some bounce when you write (don't expect much line variation though!).

As I said in the beginning of this review, the Lamy Studio is a pen with a lot of potential. Prices start at 47.5 EUR (71.2 USD) for the brushed steel version, and go up from there. For the Palladium version with gold nib, you'll pay around 170 EUR/ 160 USD. The Platinium version, which is quite hard to find, sits somewhere in the 200+ range. In such a wide price range, you'll easily find something that suits you most.