Using A Cigar-Case To Carry Pens?

[Shangas]

Hey guys,

 

I bought a very nice chrome-steel cigar case today at an antiques shop for $25.00.

 

It's in great condition, and I wanted to use it to hold pens. It has enough space to hold three good-sized pens very comfortably. There's just one thing -

 

It's an open-and-shut steel case, without any kind of lining. My plan was to line the inside of the case with felt, and elastic cordage, to hold the pens in-place. Does this sound like a good idea?

 

As it is, it's plain, chromed steel. This isn't THE case, but it's almost identical:

 

http://www.bryandouglas.co.uk/silverware/cigarette_cases/8272/8272a.jpg

 

http://www.bryandouglas.co.uk/silverware/cigarette_cases/8272/8272b.jpg

Edited April 22, 2013 by Shangas

[BamaPen]

From the looks of the case, you won't need anything to keep the pens in place since each one has an individual compartment. Lining with felt will work fine. I suggest that you go to Hobby Lobby or Michael's or other similar craft/hobby store and buy some of their sticky-back felt. It comes in two variations, "hard" and "soft" (my terms). The soft type is much more flexible and would be easier to fit into these multi-curved surfaces.

 

Start with a piece of thin cardstock and make a template that is trimmed so that it fits into the pockets, then use it as a pattern to cut your felt. The sticky-back felt has a paper backing that you peel off to stick it in place. That stuff is really sticky, so you may have to slip something like wax paper that it won't stick to underneath it to keep it from sticking until you get everything aligned.

[TMLee]

+1 on the sticky back felt.

 

I offer another suggestion ...

 

I would use dense foam, it comes in various thicknesses.

Comes in multi-colours.

You should get it from kids art and craft section ...

 

This covers the base.

 

For the cover,

I suggest you get dense sponge.

Find a thickness good enough to hold your pens 'clamped down' when the case is closed.

 

The reason for using these two materials is becos they are both compressible to whatever pen shape and size, big or small.

I wouldn't want the pens inside to rattle around.

It will bring damage.

 

I notice in the pic above, that there is a significant gap between each compartment.

I dont have a solution for this.

 

I think you may want to try creating a low flap stiff enough to stand in position.

I dont know, maybe others would want to chip in ...

 

Nice case though .

[Shangas]

This is the ACTUAL cigar-case which I purchased:

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Vintage%20and%20Antique/IMG_0953_zps8beb9032.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Vintage%20and%20Antique/IMG_0955_zpsf0d0c94c.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Vintage%20and%20Antique/IMG_0956_zps6c8d6e79.jpg

 

My plan is to fit three pens in there. What I think I may do is line the underside of the lid with felt, and then make some loops out of elastic cordage. Line the bottom of the case with more felt, and then stick the loops on top, or something. I'll figure it out.

[bogiesan]

I'd be using leather to line the sections.

But that's just me.

[Shangas]

I would like to, but I don't think I can afford that.

[Shangas]

Well I went to the local craft-shops today, and here are the results:

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0964_zpsdef750c0.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0965_zps6cf46d74.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0966_zps39ef0d6d.jpg

 

It very comfortably holds three pens, closes securely, and they don't jiggle around or rattle anywhere.

Edited April 23, 2013 by Shangas

[Sasha Royale]

Looks nice. I think felt was a good choice.

Suggestion: two fountain pens and one cigar.

[Bo Bo Olson]

Real leather cigar cases, are of good leather, stiff enough not to break cigars and well are great for shirt or coat jacket pockets.

They would not be as good for pants pockets as the metal ones...but don't require any extra work.

 

I would suggest looking for cigar cases that take wide cigars. Mine take middle to narrow ones, so need to have a narrow pen, to go with two standard-wider sized pens. I have a MB 234 1/2 which is a bit wider than standard, and a Large Cross Townsend, with a regular standard pen between.

Especially if you have Large pens look for leather cigar cases of three cigars that were made for large cigars.

 

Leather cigar cases use to be a high status item, so you can find Alligator or other fine leathers.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm300/BoBoOlson/Inkwells/IMAG0239.jpg

[Shangas]

A friend of mine uses a three-slot leather cigar-case to hold his pens. He suggested such a case when I asked him about extra pen-storage. I wasn't able to find one, but I stumbled across that chrome one in an antiques shop, and decided that it would suit the purpose just as well.

[Harlequin]

That turned out very nice Shangas! Now I must start looking for some like that when I'm out and about, lol.

[Shangas]

Here's what it looks like with pens in. Taken 12 hours later, to let the glue dry properly...

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0967_zpse328adbf.jpg

[Harlequin]

It's hard to tell how long the pens are just from the pic, but I have a thought. It may mean you need to redo some of the work you've already done, so it may not be a super attractive option. If you wanted to perhaps add a buffer on either (or both) end, you could probably use some of the afore mentioned craft foam (or similar substance) and make a "bumper" of sorts. That way the pens would be centered. But, it really would just be an aesthetics thing, so you may not want to bother with it.

[dmourati]

http://p2.la-img.com/504/14565/4629209_1_l.jpg

[Shangas]

My last little touch-up. This makes for a smooth place to put the pens, provides extra padding, but still allows me to put my largest pen inside without any problems. Nothing fancy, as you can see. But it works.

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0968_zps97a63af3.jpg

 

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a215/Fruffles/Pen%20Chest/IMG_0969_zps60ca09d0.jpg

[Wahl]

Cigar cases which I also use as pen cases

 

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o68/clint_039/Plumas%20y%20relojes/Imagen008-1.jpg

 

 

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o68/clint_039/Plumas%20y%20relojes/Imagen003-2.jpg

[Wolverine1]

I have a 3-cigar leather case, similar to the one pictured in dmourati's post. Except mine is in brown leather like in Wahl's pictures. It is made to hold large cigars, and I use it to carry, or store my MB 149s and the Delta Dolce Vita OS.

[tshusker]

I just picked up this Dunhill twin finger leather cigar case/sleeve to hold my dad's 1980’s (W-Germany) Montblanc 144 Meisterstuck Fountain Pen (with gold-plated trim and 14k gold nib) with matching Ballpoint Pen. Looks great, protects great, and smells great! A question for you guys: Anyone have an idea the age (approx year) for this Dunhill case? Thanks!