hi: just bought a couple of Levenger Pen Parapets (great deals on Levenger's ebay outlet btw), and they are great for the price but not crazy about them being so insecure. They are open for an inch or two at the top sides, the flap is thin and only secures by friction in the keeper, and the outside leather is simply glued down and exposed on top of the suede inner.

I was wondering if anyone has experience with the blue leather italian made Tibaldi cases of similar design that Judd Perl was selling a few years ago? They look more secure (sides are closed) and better finished but have never seen one in the flesh. Any experiences to share? TIA

I have a three-pen Tibaldi model. It isn't configured to handle large sized pens (comfortably fits my CS modern 58s, for instance). One more concerning issue is that the case doesn't play well with sterling pens. Whatever chemical used in finishing the leather will turn my silver pens after three days or so. After three years use, the case is worn but no wear-through on the seams or flap.

I don't have the Levenger Parapet so can't compare. However, I do have a soft pen case which is very well constructed and looks almost new after four or five years use. The only negative is that I have to consider what my pens will be bumping against when in the soft-side case.

Hope this helps.

Paul

I don't have either of those, but I considered the Levenger Pen Parapet for awhile. For what it's worth, I ended up going with a couple of the leather holders from Franklin-Christoph. I have the three-pen model and the two-pen model, which I think were around $30 and $25, respectively. They may have been on sale when I bought them, but I can't remember now.

I have used these every day for many months now and they still look good as new. So far, they have held every pen I've thrown at them, the largest being an m800, the smallest probably an m605, without a problem. They do have an open space at the top where you can see the tops of the pens from the side, and they close with a tongue and flap closure, just like what I think you described with the Levenger case, but the finish on the inside of the flaps is just fine and I have not had any problems/concerns about the safety of my pens. I tend to toss the cases into my briefcase and leave them to fend for themselves with everything else floating around in there and they have never come undone or alllowed anything to damage the pens in any way.

For the price, I think these are hard to beat, but regardless, I hope you find something that works for you.