Raymay Patalino Pen and Stationery Cases

New Arrivals: Raymay Patalino Cases and SlideNote Covers!

May 14, 2024

We’ve had some requests for additional pen and pencil cases, and have been looking at bringing in reasonably priced options appropriate for everyday carry. While at NYNow back in January, I came across this line of flat stationery cases by Raymay, from their “Patalino” line. Available in three colors and two different sizes, these cases will hold your pens, mechanical pencils, scissors, rulers, and even feature a pocket to hold a large eraser or case of mechanical pencil leads. I like these cases because they pack flat at only 1” thick, making them very convenient for travel and modular packing that you can easily move between bags. The “Small” case starts at $15, and the “Large” sizes at $21. We also have higher-capacity rectangular pouches from the “Kept” line.

Raymay Patalino Cases On Desk Closed in Three Colors — All three colors are currently available in the large size, with black and blue available in the smaller size.

We’ve also had some requests to bring in binders and covers that fit the Clairefontaine looseleaf french-ruled sheets (as well as the other A4 looseleaf and pad-bound paper that we carry). We now have SlideNote covers in the A4 size, which will hold approximately 30 sheets of most A4 paper using a convenient clip binding that allows you to easily swap out and/or rearrange pages.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. Many thanks for all your support!

Pagebase Slidenote Binder Open with Clairefontaine French-Ruled Paper

Pen Show Discoveries: NFP Design "Tile" Series

November 1, 2023

Though I tend to focus on practicality when it comes to pens and their accessories, I also pay attention to design. Well-crafted accessories - especially those made by small makers - always have a home on my desk. From the Toyooka Craft pen trays that I use to hold pens at my workstation(s), to Superior Labor Pen Rolls and Roterfaden Organizers, lately I’ve been enjoying accessorizing my core workhorse tools more than adding to my personal accumulation. This week, as everyone enjoys the promotional pomp of Fountain Pen Day, I thought it might be fun to take a look at a new maker that recently came on my radar: NFP Design.

NFP Design Pens In Box — The slots in the NFP Design cases are large, and will accommodate most pens. The two shown here are the TWSBI Kai fountain pen (which is a fairly thick piston filler) and a TWSBI ECO-T in Rosso. The pen slots are soft, and the inside of the lid features foam padding to protect your pens if you need to transport them in the case.

Based in Turkey, NFP Design attended the 2023 D.C. Pen Show and was located in the third ballroom close to Galen Leather. They specialize in woodwork, namely wood pen boxes and inlaid pen rests featuring traditional lacquer and tile work. They were kind enough to gift me a two-pen “Tile” box to take home for review, and while the case itself is fairly self-explanatory as far as the product’s function is concerned, I absolutely love the lid inlaid with traditional Turkish artwork.

NFP Design includes a slip of paper with each tile case, explaining a bit of history:

“Within traditional Turkish art, tiles have been prominent both in the Seljuk and in the Ottoman eras, appearing both in daily objects and as a plating material in architectural surfaces. Today, whilst maintaining these functions, they make a scene for themselves as artistic or decorative products combined with various mediums.”

— NFP Design

Lately I’ve been trying to reduce the number of objects that I have in my office and on my desk, so those pieces that I do choose to keep need to tell a story, preferably about the place where each item was made. Here, not only is this box inlaid with Turkish tile art specific to the place of its creation, but the painted and glazed tile is adorned with a bird that reminds me of a blue heron, which is common in the area where I live.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I’ve enjoyed spending time with the NFP Design product line since first having the opportunity to meet them at the D.C. Pen Show this past August. In addition to the “Tile” 2-pen box shown here, NFP Design offers a wide range of different storage options, including some beautiful lacquered boxes in various sizes. (I see a “Blok11” in my future as soon as the orange or yellow color options come back in stock.) Currently, NFP Design sells directly through their online shop, and I believe our friends at Vanness Pens have certain of their cases in stock as well, though they may not be listed on the site quite yet. I spent most of the Dallas Pen Show behind their table working with the “Blok” series, so inquire directly at Vanness if you are interested.

NFP Design Blue Heron Tile Inlaid into Wood Box — I chose the tile with an inlaid blue heron (or what looks like a blue heron), since we have so many of them in my neighborhood.

NFP Design products are competitively priced, with the “Tile” design shown here selling for the equivalent of around $40 USD. If you’d like to add one of these beautiful pieces to your own desk setup, the barrier to entry is very low!

Many thanks to NFP Design for providing this item to me for review, free of charge. I was not otherwise compensated for this review. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.

Pen Trays and Accessories: Toyooka Craft and the Beauty of Simplicity

September 6, 2023

I would venture that the most popular draw at both the D.C. and San Francisco Pen Shows was the Toyooka Craft table. Toyooka Craft Co. is a family-run woodworking company founded in Hamamatsu, Japan, and while their business extends beyond desk accessories and stationery products, they are known in the pen community for their simple - yet beautiful - pen trays, chests, pen rests, and other items. I really can’t overstate the popularity of their products. In San Francisco, for example, a long line formed on both Friday and Saturday mornings, and persisted until at least midday. For those who have seen videos of the Friday morning attendees lining up and racing to the back of the show in San Francisco, many of these people headed directly to the Toyooka Craft table.

Toyooka Craft Hinoki Blue Covered Pen Tray

Toyooka Craft uses the "kumi-ki" metal-free construction method, discussed in more detail on their website. Woods used include a combination of Alder and plywood, with liners made from soft rayon that won't scratch your pens. I went into the month of August with zero Toyooka Craft products in my personal collection and began September with three: two of the small stackable pen trays in a black/burgundy combination, and one larger covered pen tray in Hinoki Blue, a color I didn't expect to love as much as I did when I saw it in person.

Toyooka Craft Hinoki Blue Covered Tray with lid — My Hinoki Blue Tray holds 15 pens and features a non-attached, removable lid. I like this because it means I can stack the tray with others should I (or, “when I”) purchase more in the future.

Toyooka Craft Joints and Blue Lacquer — The seams/joints are nearly invisible, and I love how the blue lacquer still allows the wood grain to show through.

Toyooka Craft Small Pen Tray — I keep one of these small six-pen trays at each of my workstations. Partitions in the small pen trays are raised enough to keep the pens separated without destroying the sleek aesthetic. In other words, these trays look flat, and there's no fumbling with "slots" whenever you need to pick up a pen to write. While extremely lightweight, the trays also have rubber pads on the bottom so they will remain stationary and not slide around.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

I find that many "traditional" pen chests and trays sold in the U.S. lack a sense of subtlety - they’re either too large for my taste or overly ornate. These Toyooka Craft trays are so sleek that they essentially disappear on your desk, despite my having chosen relatively loud design choices such as the blue lacquer and red lining.

TGS Pen Show Table Display — I’ve been using Toyooka Craft Pen Trays as part of my pen show table display. They really look great with demonstrator fountain pens like the Pilot Custom 74.

Unless you plan on waiting until next year's D.C. or San Francisco Pen Show, the best way to obtain a Toyooka Craft product is by direct order through their website. While some products are likely ready to ship, depending on stock, there may be a slightly delay in the event the item you order needs to be made.

I find Toyooka Craft products reasonably priced given the quality. The small pen trays shown here list at 4,500 Yen (roughly $30), and the larger pen tray with the separated lid at 1200 Yen ($80), though adding the Hinoki Blue lacquer will increase the cost. Pen show pricing was roughly double what is listed on the website, presumably to reflect freight, import duties, and the expense of attending the show. Some, but not all, of these costs will need to be added to your online order as well, so don't expect the website price to be inclusive.

The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases through the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program. This post does not contain paid advertising or third-party affiliate links. I purchased the products featured in this review with my own funds for my own use.

First Impressions: Nock Co. x Rickshaw Bagworks Sinclair "Model R" Pen Case

September 7, 2022

Compared to most pen addicts, I don’t have all that many bags and pen cases. (Sure, I have more than the average “civilian”, but let’s check our comparisons, shall we?) I’ve often asked myself why I’ve never been able to bring myself to sample cases and bags the same way I do writing instruments and paper, and it comes down to two things: attachment, and to a lesser degree, the storage space these things take up.

Nock Co. x Rickshaw Bagworks Sinclair Model R in Saffron

Most people - myself included - can only truly carry one bag and maybe a couple of cases at a time while really using them. Since that’s the case for me (pun intended), I get accustomed to two, maybe three pen cases as part of my own personal carry, and become attached to them. Among those in regular rotation is a single original Nock Co. Sinclair in black waxed canvas with burgundy interior, which I acquired at a past Atlanta Pen Show as a pen-show exclusive design. While none of the other original Nock Co. cases stuck with me, the Sinclair did, and for this reason I called it “The Most Practical Pen Case.” Because it is. Given that this Sinclair has been a near-constant daily companion for going on seven years, I was overjoyed to hear that Nock Co. is collaborating with San Francisco-based Rickshaw Bagworks to create the Sinclair Model R - a slightly modified, or perhaps more accurately, “evolved” - version of the Sinclair.

The original Sinclair holds three pens in separate interior slots, opposite a single larger pocket intended to hold notecards or a pocket notebook. (I use the word “intended” loosely - many people who don’t care about their pens touching have crammed upwards of 20+ pens and other accessories into this case, or stuffed it with multiple pocket notebooks, post-its, and other paper products. Hence “the most versatile pen case.”) The Model R keeps this same configuration.

Just how much can the Sinclair Model R hold? See below to find out!

The key differences between the original Sinclair and the Sinclair Model R are as follows:

Size. The Sinclair Model R is larger, and while it might not appear bulkier, it’s a significantly bigger case. For starters, the case is taller, meaning that there should be more clearance between the top of your pens and the zipper than in the original Sinclair. This was never an issue for me, but for those who carry oversized pens it could be. The Model R is also thicker. How much? You can actually fit the original Sinclair, loaded with three pens, inside the Model R, even if the Model R has pens in the slots. See photos below.
Plush Lining. The Model R includes Rickshaw’s signature soft interior to protect your pens and other accessories from scratches. Again, I never had this issue - or never paid attention to it - with the original Nock Co. cases, but cordura/nylon does have a propensity for “micro scratching” the shiny finishes on some polished pens. Rickshaw cases are known for providing an added layer of protection.
Exterior Pocket. Arguably my favorite addition, the Model R includes an exterior pocket that fits my standard-sized iPhone 12 Pro. Anything that adds to the versatility of a pen case is a plus for me, especially since this particular feature transforms the Model R into a case that I can use for “stand-alone carry” as a mini-bag, not just a pen case or “bag-within-a-bag.”
Paracord Pulls and Optional Pen Loop. You may have noticed that the case I am giving away (check out Monday’s post) features a small loop that you can use to attach the Sinclair Model R to a lanyard, carabiner, pelican clip, etc. The loop currently is not a standard feature, but I understand that it can be added via customization at some point in the future. Personally, I love this detail because the exterior pocket on my twill Filson briefcase has a built-in clip that I would absolutely use to add further security to my pen case. My Rickshaw Model R also has paracord loops on the zippers, a nice touch that may not be necessary but is an added convenience.

With the exception of my eyeglasses, everything in the previous photo fits into the Sinclair Model R: the Plotter Mini-5, three pens, and my iPhone 12 Pro.

Sinclair Inside Sinclair Model R — I’m not sure if I’ll ever actually use the cases in this manner, but maybe for consolidated pen show travel?

I’ve already checked - the Sinclair Model R zips shut in this “configuration” with plenty of zipper clearance.

The paracord loop that can be added to the back of the Sinclair Model R.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

The Sinclair Model R is a worthy successor - and in many ways arguably an improvement upon - prior iterations of the Nock Co. Sinclair pen case. I’m especially glad to see that Rickshaw plans to make the case available in their full array of colors and patterns, and they certainly had some stunners on display at the San Francisco Pen Show.

You can really see the size difference when the cases are side-by-side. Original Sinclair (right) shown with the Model R (left).

You can currently purchase the Sinclair Model R in certain select colors on the Rickshaw Bags website, for the San Francisco Pen Show promotional price of $40. (Standard pricing will be $59 - still a relative bargain in today’s market.) At some point, you will be able to custom configure the colors and design of the case like most other Rickshaw products (including adding the loop discussed above), and I understand the plan is to also allow retailers to stock this design in their own custom patterns and configurations.

I purchased the Saffron Sinclair Model R and the original Sinclair featured in this post with my own funds, for my own use. The black Sinclair Model R show in the first picture was donated by Nock Co. and Rickshaw for giveaway purposes, and you can enter the giveaway here! This post does not contain affiliate links or paid sponsorships.

Case Review: Galen Leather Magnum Opus 12-Pen Case in Two Different Options

August 20, 2022

Lately, one of my favorite high-capacity pen cases has been Galen Leather’s “Magnum Opus,” specifically the 12-pen version. After this year’s D.C. Pen Show, I’m lucky enough to have two of them: the original hardshell version with the fold-over magnetic flap, and a new zippered version introduced this year, which includes some useful new features that I’ll highlight today.

Galen Leather Magnum Opus in Grey — The zippered Magnum Opus in “pen stand” mode. The “stand-up mode” generally works well, unless you’re on a particularly slick surface.

The main benefit of the “Magnum Opus” is the combination of capacity and protection. This hardshell case will not only allow you to carry a large number of pens, but it will protect them well, something that’s especially important to me when I’m attending events like weekly pen club or pen shows. (My “Magnum Opus” in natural undyed leather - shown at top - is what I had with me at the table in D.C., and used as a display for the “tester” pens I had available.)

Galen Leather Magnum Opus Extra Protection — Yunus from Galen Leather wanted me to point out that those concerned about the zipper coming into contact with larger pens can reverse the tray for extra protection.

This year’s release, the zippered version of the Magnum Opus, adds two new features: a magnetic front flap that folds down and a back flap that lets you stand the case upright. The zippered case still contains a removable tray - some people prefer removing this tray while they’re working, or when they’re displaying pens at a show/swap meet/sale.

Both 12-pen Magnum Opus cases are the same size and hold the same number of pens. You’re not making any sacrifices in capacity choosing one or the other.

Takeaways and Where to Buy

After teasing the original hard-case design during the 2021 pen show season, Galen decided to make it part of their standard lineup, and I’m happy it stuck around. While I love the original case, the zippered version is likely to serve as my go-to carry when I want to bring 12+ pens along in a backpack, especially on an airplane. The zipper offers just a bit more security, and if I want to work with multiple pens, I love the opportunity for “stand mode”.

I’m still working on accumulating a nice collection of ink stains on my natural undyed leather case. You people are much too careful at pen shows. :)

Currently, you can order the Magnum Opus pen cases directly from Galen Leather, or from select retailers including our friends at Vanness Pens. The zippered model is shown here in “Crazy Horse Smoky” leather, and the standard 12-slot hard case is shown in undyed natural leather. Each of these cases will develop its own unique patina as it ages, with the natural leather taking on the most scuffs, stains, and discoloration. (Be aware of this before you purchase - undyed leather is SUPPOSED to get dirty/stained/worn/whatever, and you can read about this further here.) At $159 for either case, it’s not an inexpensive purchase but all of my Galen Leather products have been well made and hold up over time.

Disclaimer: Galen Leather provided me with the grey case featured in this review, and Vanness Pens provided me with the undyed leather case, free of charge for review purposes. Otherwise, this post does not contain paid affiliate links. The Gentleman Stationer is supported entirely by purchases from the T.G.S. Curated Shop and pledges via the T.G.S. Patreon Program.