Review: Fountain Pen Display Case By Robert Parish Wood Works

March 21, 2012

ITEM PURCHASED:

I bought the "Handmade Fountain Pen and Rollberball Pen Display Case Birdseye Maple Wood". Mine actually has a solid top, which is a bit of a departure from the ones on the site, which have a clear top. The case is made out of birdseye maple with a walnut handle, and has a satin finish. The lining is brown felt. It holds twelve pens.

DIMENSIONS: 13" x 8" x 2 3/4"

PRICE: $139.99

IMPRESSIONS:

In general, this is a lovely display case. The materials are high quality, and there are no vaneers. The grain of the wood is very well matched and the edge joints are tight and evenly mitered. It has nice rubber feet, is square and even, and sits firmly.

The design is simple and elegant. It's understated, but the wood is so complex looking that I'm glad it doesn't have a gloss finish.

To mention a few disappointments: The lid doesn't have anything to keep it from just flopping all the way backwards on to whatever is behind the box. There are a couple of spots on the box where some wood glue shows. The top doesn't perfectly align when closed either... I know that's kind of OCD, but it bothers me a bit (you can see this in the closed photo). There are also some rough areas, particularly around the lip where the top and bottom join, and inside.

None of these things are obvious from afar and only reveal themselves upon close inspection. I don't want to give the impression that any of these criticisms ruins the box, or that most people would notice them. It is a handmade item, and is very reasonably priced, so I would say that I am satisfied with my purchase because I think it's a good value.

TRANSACTION / SELLER:

I was very impressed with Mr. Parish. He's very open to custom work, charges reasonable prices and is very creative and helpful in his suggestions. Furthermore, he's very prompt and genial. I was interested to note while writing this that Mr. Parish also creates fountain pens... I obviously have no experience with them and have not looked in to them at all.

Robert Parish Wood Works is a small studio in Manlius, NY.

http://rparish0.tripod.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/rparishwoodworks

I have had no previous dealings nor connections with this seller, nor do I have any vested interests to disclose.