I don’t buy a lot of pen cases, at least compared to the number of pens, inks, and other accessories that I own. Those cases that I do have in my collection tend to stay there for a long time, as demonstrated by the fact that my most-carried pen case of all time is a mid-2010s Nock Co. Sinclair in black waxed canvas, which I picked up as part of a limited run at an Atlanta Pen Show several years ago. Frankly, the only zippered pen case I’ve found that can give the now-discontinued Sinclair a run for its money is the Lochby Quattro, which I’ve flashed on Instagram several times and stock in the shop but have not yet reviewed.
Look and Overall Design
Lochby is U.S.-based company owned by army veteran and fountain pen enthusiast Chris Elfering, who incorporated his love of pens and durable gear into the current Lochby lineup. All Lochby products are designed with usability and durability in mind. You can read more about the background of the company here.
The Lochby Quattro is a traditional zippered pen case made from waxed canvas, which holds four pens in secure, padded sleeves. Notably, the pen slots are offset so that pens don’t rub against each other. While “pen contact” in a case doesn’t bother some, for those of us who collect unique finishes and materials that may be more sensitive to scuffs and scratches, this sort of attention to detail can be a huge plus. In my experience, having the pens offset also makes the case easier to close, and more compact. Relatedly, the Quattro uses nylon zippers to further reduce the possibility of scratching pens when closing the case.
No Touching! While larger pens fit snugly, I’ve had no trouble carrying pens as big as a Visconti Homo Sapiens in the Lochby.
In addition to the four interior slots, the exterior of the Quattro features two additional pouches. One I’ve been using as a slot for gel pens and mechanical pencils, and the other mainly holds post-it flags, which I use a lot of in my job.
Real-time action shot from yesterday’s work carry.
The second exterior pocket features a velcro closure to hold smaller items.
A final feature that I’ve enjoyed with the Quattro is the fact that it’s designed to complement the Field Journal notebook cover. The Quattro fits within the back pocket of the Field Journal (though the fit can be pretty tight depending on which notebooks you choose for the Field Journal cover). If you choose to use the Field Journal as a mini-briefcase or singular carry-all, you have a convenient way to carry four pens with you.
Even though I have two thick notebooks inside the Field Journal (a Seven Seas Writer and a Theme System Journal), I can still squeeze the Quattro into the outer pocket.
Materials and Available Colors
So far, the Lochby Quattro only comes available in brown waxed canvas with a golden, honey colored interior lining. The backing fabric is a soft microfiber, and the pen slots are crafted from nylon that features a honeycomb pattern, in keeping with Lochby’s “bee” logo. Everything is double-stitched and bartacked, and feels incredibly durable.
I enjoy the honeycomb pattern on the nylon interior. This picture also gives you a look at the soft interior fabric, plus the durable stitching.
Lochby does advertise their products as vegan-friendly. Those longing for non-leather options after the retirement of Nock Co. should consider the Quattro as an alternative, though I’m looking forward to seeing whether Lochby releases this case in color options other than brown, especially since the Field Journal and Pocket Journal both come in Black and Navy color ways.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
I’ve enjoyed exploring the Lochby lineup, mainly because it successfully strikes the ever-elusive balance of quality, value, and functionality. I absolutely love waxed canvas anything, especially notebook covers and pen cases, so once I saw these cases I was all-in. Every one of these products designed to be used, and constructed from materials that will age well as the waxed canvas picks up the inevitable scratches, scuffs and stains that will develop into a patina. In terms of pricing, the entire lineup is under $60.
The Quattro has formed a core part of my “deskscape,” both at home and at the office.
You can purchase select Lochby products from the T.G.S. Curated Shop, and I’m proud to offer this brand as one of my carefully selected lines. In addition to the Quattro pen case pictured here, you should also check out the Field Journal A5 Notebook Cover, the Pocket Journal (another zippered case designed to hold your typical Field Notes-sized pocket notebook), and the Tool Roll, which can hold anything from fountain pens to bike wrenches to calligraphy supplies. And if Lochby’s fountain pen bona fides weren’t already evident from their case design, all of their paper refills feature one of my favorite papers: Tomoe River 68 gsm.
Disclaimer: The T.G.S. Curated Shop is an authorized retailer of Lochby products. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported exclusively by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and the T.G.S. Patreon Program.