Making A Pen Case

[Anne-Sophie]

 

It is a simple and classic design.

 

Really nice!

[my63]

Thanks Anne-Sophie your comments are always appreciated.

 

I have started making a case for a forum follower it is designed to hold standard size fountain pens where it is different is it also holds a wooden pen rest and also has a loop to allow a tracking device to be attached.

 

I started with the flat sheet kydex and a custom mould I formed the kydex over the mould.

 

2018-03-13_09-54-27 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After the kydex had been trimmed and smoothed I wrapped the three pieces in blue gray suede.

 

2018-03-17_04-10-43 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I now had a measurement form which I could work out the size of the pen rest I started with a plywood blank which I sanded to the desired shape.

 

2018-03-17_03-41-34 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I tested it with a MB 149 which is at the max size of the pens this case would hold.

 

2018-03-17_04-11-43 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step was to make one from oak

 

2018-03-17_03-42-00 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The next step was to get carried away and make a handful

 

2018-03-17_03-43-03 by my0771, on Flickr.

 

More to follow

 

Michael

[my63]

After I had finished messing about with little pieces of wood I started to work on the outer cover this is made from 3mm veg tanned leather. This is soaked in cold water and then moulded over a wooden form to start the shaping process.

 

2018-03-17_03-44-05 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This process takes some time to get the correct shape.

 

2018-03-17_03-44-26 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After the wooden block has done its job of starting the shape off I wrapped the pen slots in plastic film to protect the suede from the wet leather, And finished forming the outer cover on the pen slots.

 

2018-03-17_03-44-52 by my0771, on Flickr

 

When I was happy with the shape I applied the Navy blue leather dye.

 

2018-03-17_03-45-38 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I turned over one end of the strap to form a loop to allow a tracking device to be attached to the case.

 

2018-03-17_03-46-03 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is a dry fit of the pen rest in its pocket.

 

2018-03-17_10-23-30 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Here you can see the kydex back panel in place ready to have its suede lining glued in place.

 

2018-03-17_10-23-52 by my0771, on Flickr

 

In order to work out the best shape for the flap I stitched the lower section together then used a piece of card to make a template for the flap.

 

2018-03-17_10-24-42 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This is the final template for the closure flap.

 

2018-03-17_10-25-18 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Next instalment soon.

[my63]

There was only two steps to finish this case firstly to trim the edges and secondly to dye and polish the edges.

 

2018-03-20_10-03-03 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2018-03-20_10-02-42 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for reading

 

Michael

[Anne-Sophie]

Michael, is there anything you cannot do?

 

Such a master craftsman!

 

The Navy/blue gray case with a pen rest slot and a tracking device loop, is really beautiful, classic while being innovative.

 

Your woodworking is also really nice, I especially liked your idea to use plywood to work out the best shape for a very big pen rest.

 

Are all the pen rests in different colors, dyed oak or from different trees?

 

We have more people on the forum, and FPN has garnered some publicity for being the most popular fountain pen forum, so more people should see your work.

 

There are also many people who get one of kind pens, in very beautiful and rare finishes, who are eager to have a unique protective case for those pens.

 

 

Thank you for sharing your work!

Edited March 30, 2018 by Anne-Sophie

[my63]

Hi Ann-Sophie unfortunately there are many things I cannot do.

 

The wood is mainly oak the black one was ebonised one had a dark wax applied the third had a clear wax. The redish coloured ones were made from sapele which is from the mahogany family of woods.

 

I don't record where orders come from I can tell you in the last month my blog has had around 152 visitors of which 45 came from FPN however of the three orders 2 came from Instagram ( @my63leather ) and the third did not say. But I did not look until you asked. The end of 2017 and the start of 2018 were very slow on orders March has been quite busy and I have no idea why.

 

I have made a harness for a digital SLR camera and have just finished a cover for a Hobonichi 5 year planner cover with pen holder. The big challenge with this project was to leave the leather in its natural colour this is so difficult.

 

2018-03-30_08-54-45 by my0771, on Flickr

 

2018-03-30_08-55-05 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The name was stamped using old type press which I recently acquired I have continued the use of the type press into my next project.

 

Everyone will have seen the forming of kydex into pen slots

 

2018-03-30_08-30-43 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Once the kydex was trimmed I wrapped them in red suede.

 

2018-03-30_08-31-05 by my0771, on Flickr

 

The suede holds the three pen slots together until the outer cover is formed.

 

2018-03-30_07-59-17 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This style of case has a flap secured by a strap across the front I have widened the strap by 2 mm to accommodate the text but retaining balance. the strap needs to be edged and dyed

 

2018-03-30_07-58-44 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks to everyone for looking and especially to those who take the time to comment

 

Edit don't worry about the Nakaya spelling mistake my Instagram followers caught it for me.

Edited March 30, 2018 by my63

[zaddick]

I am excited about the stamping options. Makes a nice touch for a custom piece.

 

By the way I happened to have had all three of the pen cases you made that I own with me the other day. There are always lots of compliments to go around. It is so nice to be able to bring large pens with me in a secure case.

Edited March 31, 2018 by zaddick

[Sblakers]

I think I had one of your first cases. It’s blue with red stitching. It hasn’t left my side for 4 or 5 years. (Not sure how long it’s been). Allows me to take my Namiki emperor everywhere . It’s as valuable to me As the pens it holds. Without the case protecting my pens I am sure I would have damaged a pen or two if not more. So thank you again !!!

[my63]

I am excited about the stamping options. Makes a nice touch for a custom piece.

 

By the way I happened to have had all three of the pen cases you made that I own with me the other day. There are always lots of compliments to go around. It is so nice to be able to bring large pens with me in a secure case.

Thanks Zaddick I would love to see a picture of them all together if you ever get the chance.

When I made the last case with the loop for tracking device, I discovered a thin "tile" tracking device that I could fit into a larger case I would value your opinion.

 

 

I think I had one of your first cases. It’s blue with red stitching. It hasn’t left my side for 4 or 5 years. (Not sure how long it’s been). Allows me to take my Namiki emperor everywhere . It’s as valuable to me As the pens it holds. Without the case protecting my pens I am sure I would have damaged a pen or two if not more. So thank you again !!!

Yes indeed I remember your case January 2014 my first thought was blue case with red thread it will look odd, but I loved it I learned never to second guess the colours people choose. I cant tell you how many I made with the stud fastener but it was less than 5 the more I think about it I think I still have the other one.

Here is a link to the page.

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/255117-making-a-pen-case/?p=2868507

 

I make all of my cases to last so I am pleased to hear that your case is still protecting your pens so many years later.

 

Thanks

 

Michael

[my63]

Zaddick I forgot to talk about the printing of text on leather I have been trying to do this for some time there is a company who make a brass set for leather workers via a cnc machine unfortunately it costs around $600 US which is out of my range. So I have been searching for alternatives the set I have are made from lead and are quite fragile.

 

I can do simple names as you can see.

 

2018-03-31_10-20-31 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Michael

[my63]

As it is Easter I thought I would share some chocolate with you.

 

Well almost.

 

2018-04-01_04-33-17 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This will be covered in chocolate leather when I get to that part. The kydex liner has been wrapped in emerald green suede.

[Sblakers]

I love that coloring

[my63]

Ok I know I promised chocolate (picture 2)

 

I soaked the leather in cold water and formed it around the suede covered Kydex tube I have adapted a pair of metal workers clamps to make this a little easier.

 

2018-04-02_06-50-31 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Chocolate leather dye is one of my personal favourites I am pleased to say others like it too.

 

2018-04-02_06-45-41 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[zaddick]

While I don't often carry so many pens at once, there have been many different needs recently (so some have stayed in the office) and they all ended up together again today. Here is a quick group shot for you Michael.

 

 

No, I don't usually huddle them all around my little notebook, but the rest of my desk is messy!

[Sblakers]

Nice!!

[my63]

While I don't often carry so many pens at once, there have been many different needs recently (so some have stayed in the office) and they all ended up together again today. Here is a quick group shot for you Michael.

 

 

No, I don't usually huddle them all around my little notebook, but the rest of my desk is messy!

Thanks Zaddick

 

They look great together I think what you need is a desk box to hold the large pens when they are on your desk.

 

Michael

[my63]

Once the dye had started to dry I glued the suede wrapped kydex tube into the lower section.

 

2018-04-02_07-49-47 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Using the clamp I pressed the two sides of the lower section together.

 

After stitching and trimming the lower section I was able to form the upper section

 

2018-04-04_11-06-18 by my0771, on Flickr

 

When I was happy with the shape I marked and punched the holes and stitched the upper section.

 

2018-04-04_11-06-38 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This stitching is only temporary to avoid dye transfer to the green thread. The upper needs to dry before I can trim it and finish the edges.

[my63]

Once the upper section had almost dried I trimmed it to the desired shape.

 

2018-04-04_10-30-38 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After trimming I used an edging tool to remove the corners from the edges then moistened the edges and used a wooden tool to polish them.

 

2018-04-04_10-31-02 by my0771, on Flickr

 

After smoothing the edges I applied the same chocolate dye before finally applying beeswax and polishing.

 

2018-04-04_10-31-38 by my0771, on Flickr

 

Stitching next.

 

Thanks for looking

 

Michael

[Sblakers]

Wow. I cant believe how efficient you are. It looks beautiful btw.

[my63]

Part of the finishing touches on this style of case is to add the toggle / pen rest for chocolate leather I prefer to use walnut.

 

2018-04-05_07-08-05 by my0771, on Flickr

 

I don't measure these I just cut a size that looks right and round the ends and form the shape initially with a power sander and then with a dowel and sandpaper.

Until I have this..

 

2018-04-05_09-45-23 by my0771, on Flickr

 

This case is on its way to its new home I am sure the owner will post a final picture when it arrives.

 

Thanks