Fountain Pens And The Woodsman

[PaganArcher]

First off, if this has been brought up before, I apologize. My search did not yield much help.

 

For though of you who spend a lot of time outdoors, how do you carry and protect your pens?

 

I have three metal pens and two plastic ones (TWSBI) and my favorites are shaping up to be the TWSBI 580-AL, Jinhao 159, and Pilot Metropolitan. The Jinhao and Pilot I'm not terribly worried about given they're metal, but how might I carry and protect the TWSBI? Especially for extended periods outdoors.

 

Ideally, I'd like a leather pen case from 3Wunder, but as someone who dabbles in leatherwork, I know I can't afford what I feel would be a correct price for such. Mainly, I can't even afford the leather to make my own at present.

 

So what's a good option for carrying my favorites with me without costing an arm, leg, and my firstborn child?

[Algester]

just find a pouch that works... some people recommend using eyeglass cases as a makeshift pen carrier

and Oakley eyeglass case should roughly fit 3 pens of medium size then just add some cotton bedding in it some slimmet cases should do just fine either way

and generally a eyeglass case should just set you back 3-4 dollars from your ophthalmologist

Edited September 26, 2014 by Algester

[hbdk]

I use a small humidor, brand name: Black Ops - have seen it on Amazon for $14

 

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/fpngallery/29503/U29503I1407688356.SEQ.0.jpg

 

Or a metal eyeglasses case with spring closing - you have to make your own foam inlay or wrap your pens in something.

Edited September 26, 2014 by hbdk

[estie1948]

I think the eyeglass case and the cigar case are both excellent ideas. You might even use your TWSBI box if you still have it.

 

I don't do it anymore for I've gotten too old. When I was younger, I did field studies that involved camping in the wild for extended periods of time. I wasn't a member of Fountain Pen Network during these times and did not know about the different ways of protecting fountain pens. So, ignorant as I was, I wore a lightweight hunter's vest and carried many of my smaller tools in the pockets, slots, and compartments of the vest. This included my two Esterbrook J fountain pens that I always carried. I never had any problems with the pens. I will admit to spilling all or part of a bottle of Parker's Black Qwink ink on one or two occasions, but that was in my tent and wasn't carried about in my vest. Ticks, chiggers, biting flies, mosquitoes, poison ivy and such were enough problems. No broken or damaged pens.

I was lucky. What can I say? God looks out for fools and little children. You can guess which category I belong in.

-David.

[kidde]

God looks out for fools and little children. You can guess which category I belong in.

-David.

I think I qualified in both longer than I'd care to admit.

Pen Protection. The hard eyeglass cases work. Also, they make a rigid case to carry three cigars that has a slip cap. In beauty supply stores they offer a sturdy tube to protect make-up brushes. Last but not least, toothbrush holders. I wrap a piece of cotton cloth around mine to protect them and so I have a cloth to clean ink with.

Enjoy your time afield. Life is too digital sometimes, lots to be said for living a more analog life. The best things take time, not batteries.

 

Paul

[Cryptos]

 

The best things take time, not batteries.

 

That is brilliant!

 

I am totally going to steal it.

[PaganArcher]

Life is too digital sometimes, lots to be said for living a more analog life. The best things take time, not batteries.

Isn't that the truth. For my age, I'm a bit of an oddity. I don't belong to any of the major social media sites, I still use a flip phone, and I find the best coffee is made in a perc pot on an open fire, sweetened only with locally produced honey. My uncle was a rancher, while I despised the ornrey rat basta*d for numerous reasons, spending time with him gave me an opportunity to truly live. How many people barely past eighteen can say they enjoy tracking the stars across the sky or they've ridden out a Plains thunderstorm under little more than a tarp? Precious few my friend. The concrete and brick of "civilization" has a certain quality that deprives mankind of the full experience of what the world is. My opinion only of course.

 

And thanks to everyone for the ideas. I might check with my local tobacconist and see if he carries a cigar case large enough to carry the 159 and TWSBI.

[Algester]

Isn't that the truth. For my age, I'm a bit of an oddity. I don't belong to any of the major social media sites, I still use a flip phone, and I find the best coffee is made in a perc pot on an open fire, sweetened only with locally produced honey. My uncle was a rancher, while I despised the ornrey rat basta*d for numerous reasons, spending time with him gave me an opportunity to truly live. How many people barely past eighteen can say they enjoy tracking the stars across the sky or they've ridden out a Plains thunderstorm under little more than a tarp? Precious few my friend. The concrete and brick of "civilization" has a certain quality that deprives mankind of the full experience of what the world is. My opinion only of course.

 

And thanks to everyone for the ideas. I might check with my local tobacconist and see if he carries a cigar case large enough to carry the 159 and TWSBI.

or maybe you could ask someone to make a case from tarp... that will be somewhat rugged I know

[PaganArcher]

or maybe you could ask someone to make a case from tarp... that will be somewhat rugged I know

Oil skin would be quite easy and I could possibly sew one up, but it offers no more impact resistance than the canvas of my pant pocket. And knowing the damage suffered by other gear, a little impact resistance would most benefit the 580. But, you have given me an idea. Time to hunt down an iron tobacco tin for the dimensions.

[Baric]

The best things take time, not batteries.

 

 

 

That is brilliant!

 

I am totally going to steal it.

 

I'd rather have time AND batteries. I want it all

[Baric]

How many people barely past eighteen can say they enjoy tracking the stars across the sky or they've ridden out a Plains thunderstorm under little more than a tarp? Precious few my friend.

 

I think that's a little unfair to the younger folks. We are all a product of our environments as we grow up and we have little choice in that. I'd say that most 18yr olds have precious little experience at all and one can hardly expect them to. They will gain it and I'm sure a great many will learn to enjoy the joys of the natural world. Or I can hope.

 

As for the original topic, a decent case is a good idea, but even in a case be sure not to let it sit in the sun. If it gets hot, the heat can cause an increase in air pressure inside a pen that might cause a bit of burping/leaking/excessive nib creep and the like.

 

Other than actual operation and good sense, I wouldn't worry too much about sun damage. If you are that worried about keeping a certain pen pristine, you might not want to use it and where's the fun in that?

[PaganArcher]

I think that's a little unfair to the younger folks. We are all a product of our environments as we grow up and we have little choice in that. I'd say that most 18yr olds have precious little experience at all and one can hardly expect them to. They will gain it and I'm sure a great many will learn to enjoy the joys of the natural world. Or I can hope.

 

As for the original topic, a decent case is a good idea, but even in a case be sure not to let it sit in the sun. If it gets hot, the heat can cause an increase in air pressure inside a pen that might cause a bit of burping/leaking/excessive nib creep and the like.

 

Other than actual operation and good sense, I wouldn't worry too much about sun damage. If you are that worried about keeping a certain pen pristine, you might not want to use it and where's the fun in that?

I'd hardly say it's unfair. It's not said out of anger, nor with the life experience of someone far older. I'm 21 myself, and it's more observation of my peers rather than condemnation or judegement. Perhaps my wording was simply poor.

 

And I'm not to worried about scratches or scuffs, but I'm a heavy guy and I'd hate to take a fall on even ground and shatter the pen against my leg or a rock. I don't know the full limits of the material and I'd rather not find out too quickly, nor would I enjoy digging shards out my knee. Cactus spines are bad enough.

[Baric]

I'd hardly say it's unfair. It's not said out of anger, nor with the life experience of someone far older. I'm 21 myself, and it's more observation of my peers rather than condemnation or judegement. Perhaps my wording was simply poor.

 

And I'm not to worried about scratches or scuffs, but I'm a heavy guy and I'd hate to take a fall on even ground and shatter the pen against my leg or a rock. I don't know the full limits of the material and I'd rather not find out too quickly, nor would I enjoy digging shards out my knee. Cactus spines are bad enough.

 

Oh, no rebuke intended, my apologies if it seemed so. I was just giving my opinion which seemed to differ from yours. I guess my own assumptions are showing as well. I thought you were someone older (51 here, interesting how we push our own circumstance onto others, eh?), and I just thought comparing the experience between two of such different ages would be an unfair. Still, even among those of the same age, we experience the world as it is around us and since more and more people grow up in urban or suburban areas, access to more wild and natural habitats is less and less common. There will always be outliers in any group, those with more experience as well as those who are more sheltered (dare I say, naive?)

 

I can understand your concern. The issue that crops up is where do you draw the line between protection and ease of access? As pen people, we value our pens a tad more than your average person, but I would personally find carrying around a hardshell case in my pocket a bit annoying after awhile. In a pack or bag is another thing. I like to carry a pen in my shirt pocket unprotected as opposed to my pants, and I would not take any more precautions than usual when outdoors. Falling flat on my face is happily something that doesn't happen very often . When out camping, I don't carry a pen since I don't expect to do a lot of writing. If that's your goal while being out, then okey dokey. I would tend to take one of my less expensive pens. Sturdy doesn't concern me much since I don't buy a pen unless I find it think it's reasonably well built. But if something where to happen, the inexpensive ones are easier to replace without crying. Now if you do land on a pen, how much it or its case is damaged is going to depend a lot on the actual material. Something rigid and strong enough to take a person falling on is usually going to be heavier and/or bulkier than say a soft leather pen sleeve. I like the eyeglass case idea, they are designed to take exactly the kind of punishment you're taking about while protecting relatively fragile glasses. In fact, I have one the Oakley deep hard shell cases right in front of me. I don't think I'd like that in my pocket, it's a bit tall, but yes, very strong and will fit 3-4 pens if packed properly. I have a much slimmer hardskell case with a metal lining under the leather in my bag that I use on a daily basis and even it will fit a couple of my average sized pens, but would likely have trouble fitting my bigger (and stronger) pens.

[Wolverine1]

Ulfgrim- also check out at the Army/Navy Surplus store. They usualiy carry surplus pouches which were originally meant to be .50cal ammo pouches, and I can fit 2 MB 149s and a Lamy Al-Star in them. Best of all, the ammo pouch cost me $4.99. Check out a surplus store, you never know what kind of stuff you can re-purpose into pen cases.

[PaganArcher]

Ulfgrim- also check out at the Army/Navy Surplus store. They usualiy carry surplus pouches which were originally meant to be .50cal ammo pouches, and I can fit 2 MB 149s and a Lamy Al-Star in them. Best of all, the ammo pouch cost me $4.99. Check out a surplus store, you never know what kind of stuff you can re-purpose into pen cases.

Would you happen to have a picture of the ammo pouch? My local surplus stores are decidedly unorganized and I find it easier if I have a vague idea of what I'm searching for.

[estie1948]

The best things take time, not batteries.

 

Paul

 

 

 

That is brilliant!

 

I am totally going to steal it.

+1 Paul, that is brilliant! I totally agree with Cryptos! It is definitely going in my list of things I wish I had said. You always give good, sound advice.

 

-David.

[estie1948]

And I'm not to worried about scratches or scuffs, but I'm a heavy guy and I'd hate to take a fall on even ground and shatter the pen against my leg or a rock. I don't know the full limits of the material and I'd rather not find out too quickly, nor would I enjoy digging shards out my knee. Cactus spines are bad enough.

I don't mean to be "preachy" but . . .why do you carry your pens in your pants' pocket? I know most kids do that now. My grandson has poked more than one hole in my pick-up seat with his pencils and pens. Outside of those space pens by Fisher, I am ignorant of any pens designed to be carried in a pant pocket. Now, admittedly I am an old f*rt, but I wouldn't want to fall on my pens even in a good protective case on my knees or legs or hips.

 

My times in the wild with my pens, the pens were carried in my shirt or vest pocket. I know that today there are pockets all over your pants, but don't put your pens in them. Just my advice and my opinion, not gospel. And heed the advice from Baric about heat. Where I spent my time in the wild, temperatures ranged from mid-80 degrees to over 100 degrees. I learned on the first trip to fill my pens, then ease out some ink to allow for the natural expansion.

 

I hope you have a great time and do so without damaging your pens.

 

-David.

[lahlahlaw]

I use a small humidor, brand name: Black Ops - have seen it on Amazon for $14

 

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/fpngallery/29503/U29503I1407688356.SEQ.0.jpg

 

Or a metal eyeglasses case with spring closing - you have to make your own foam inlay or wrap your pens in something.

+1 I use the same case in my briefcase, you could drive a car over it or drop it in a puddle..

[balson]

there are some really cheap two pen cases out there.

http://www.rockler.com/brown-vinyl-pen-storage-case

 

my biggest concern when carrying pens around is loss not damage. i have had a similar leather pen pouch that i had overstuffed with 4 good vintage pens that just slipped out of my pocket when i was walking somewhere. my favorite way to carry pens to keep them safe is in a bag or backpack with pen slots.

[Ink Blotto]

I don't mean to be "preachy" but . . .why do you carry your pens in your pants' pocket? I know most kids do that now. My grandson has poked more than one hole in my pick-up seat with his pencils and pens. Outside of those space pens by Fisher, I am ignorant of any pens designed to be carried in a pant pocket. Now, admittedly I am an old f*rt, but I wouldn't want to fall on my pens even in a good protective case on my knees or legs or hips.

 

My times in the wild with my pens, the pens were carried in my shirt or vest pocket. I know that today there are pockets all over your pants, but don't put your pens in them. Just my advice and my opinion, not gospel. And heed the advice from Baric about heat. Where I spent my time in the wild, temperatures ranged from mid-80 degrees to over 100 degrees. I learned on the first trip to fill my pens, then ease out some ink to allow for the natural expansion.

 

I hope you have a great time and do so without damaging your pens.

 

-David.

http://i.imgur.com/TDuj9AP.jpg

 

Maybe George S. Parker had enough money and pens that he didn't worry about his pens or pockets. I think this ad does show that in the heyday of fountain pens that men would indeed carry pens in their trouser pockets.

 

Paul