Making A G R E A T Pen Case Even B E T T E R!

[elysee]

When I started buying nice pens and pencils, I wanted to protect them so that they would not be damaged or scratched. So, I looked around for pen cases in which to house my lovely pens and pencils. Many pen cases were little more than zippered sacks or zippered leather tubes into which multiple pens/pencils could be placed together. While this is not a problem for metal pens/pencils such as my Rotring 600 series pens and pencils since they cannot damage one another by being together, this is not the case for my pens/pencils with lacquer finishes such as my Elysee, Cartier, Waterman, and Montblanc Noblesse pens/pencils, for example, or those with resin parts such as my Parker Duofolds, Waterman Rhapsody, and Pelikan pens/pencils, for example. Having a case with a set form with separate sections for each pen/pencil provides additional protection for the pen/pencil, and its finish and that is what I wanted.

 

While I had considered cigar cases, these have a size and form problem: large cigar-size pens fit the cigar case better than slim pens/pencils. Although I considered lining cigar cases so that they would fit my slimmer pens/pencils better, this made accessing the pen/pencil more difficult. In addition, I was not fond of the top of the cigar case's coming off so easily: I wanted an all-in-one-pen case with sections for each pen/pencil that would accomodate any of my pens/pencils no matter what their size/girth. Of course, this is a problem since there are no pen cases with variable-sized slots. Well, unless you make or modify one for yourself. The latter (modify) is what I chose.

 

So, at this point you are wondering what pen cases I have modified and how. Well, my favorite pen cases are Montblanc pen cases since they provide structure and support. In particular, I like the Flip Flap Montblanc Pen Pouches. While Montblanc has discontinued this style of pen case, you can still find them (from time to time) on eBay.

 

 

However, these Montblanc pen cases with their wide slots (three slot pen case picture below) are designed to accomodate, among others, the Le Grande size fountainballpoint/rollerball pens and pencils.

 

 

An added problem is that the inner slots are not full-slots: these leather piece within the pen case do not provide protection for the full pen since they do not cover the full length of the case. While one might think of this as a problem, it is not as this is where the modifications are made. I cut out these leather slots and made my own divisions within the pen case: these divisions created using pieces of smooth cardboard cut to fit the length of the case and to fit on a diagonal within the case provide the desired variable slot-width for various pens and can easily be moved and removed. An example of such a cardboard slot-piece can be seen in the picture above.

 

So, with the two small leather slot-pieces removed (see picture below),

 

 

 

the cardboard slots can be inserted on the diagonal (my preference so that they stay in place when pens/pencils are removed for use) to accomodate pens/pencils of any size such as some Cartier pens/pencils with a Waterman pen and a Dunhil pen (below) or

 

 

some of my namesake Elysee pens/pencils with a Caran D'Ache Hexagonal pen (below).

 

 

 

I have done the same thing with the two-slot Flip Flap Montblanc pen cases as well.

 

 

 

This one holds five Caran D'Ache Hexagonal series pens/pencils.

 

 

 

I have modified Montblanc pen pouches without cutting out the leather slot pieces including the newer cases

 

 

 

by inserting the cardboard slot pieces so that they match the leather slot pieces as well as subdivide the sections that they create (below).

 

 

 

As you can tell from the pen tops, this case accomodates some of my namesake Elysee pens/pencils, two Cartier pens, a Caran D'Ache pen, and a Montblanc pen.

 

So, through the modification of my great Montblanc pen cases, I have created even better (thus the topic's title) pen cases that protect my pens/pencils of a wide variety of sizes. Even better, I can create (and have created) groups of pens/pencils of various types and sizes that I can (and do) take with me for use to work or for travel to conferences. What I like the best is that these modified cases provide wonderful structure and full protection (the length of the case) for each pen/pencil so that they will not touch one another within the case thereby preventing scratches, dings, dents, and gouges that can occur when carrying a pen case within one's workbag, backpack, or suitcase. I especially like the Flip Flap Montblanc Pen Pouches since there is no way to actually leave the pen case open: when one lets go of the pouch top, it still covers the top of the pen case and will not allow the pens/pencils to escape.

 

I have added cardboard slots to pen cases that have no sections such as Coach pen cases and to pen cases of other makers such as Parker. What I like best about this type of modification is that the cardboard slot inserts protect the pens from striking one another when the pen case is jostled and, when fit properly, the pens can be easily removed when desired but not slide out at random.

 

Some of you may prefer the Montblanc finger-style (frequently referred to as glove) pen cases but I have not found these to modify as easily due to the manner in which each finger of the case is sewn at the end. I use a three-finger Montblanc (glove) pen case for my Pelikan transparent green 800-series demonstrator fountain pen, ballpoint pen, and pencil set since the cap of the fountain pen is too wide in diameter to comfortably fit into any of my Montblanc, Parker, or Coach pen cases.

Edited July 17, 2013 by elysee

[elysee]

In case you were wondering what I meant by "there is no way to actually leave the pen case open", I figured that I would add a picture.

 

 

When I let go of the top flap of the Flip Flap Montblanc pen pouch, it comes to rest over the top/opening of the pen case, preventing the pens/pencils from slipping out. That is what I like best about this type pen case. I wish that Montblanc had not discontinued this pen case as it has-it-all, so to speak, especially with some modifications. ; )

[Chrissy]

I found this interesting reading as I have also modified a couple of Mb pen cases.

 

I also don't like the way that the leather dividers don't go all of the way down inside Mb pen pouches so I have glued additional pieces of leather below the current ones so that my pens are kept apart from each other all the way down inside the case. I've done this with 2 of the Mb French double crocodile effect leather pen pouches.

[nakiana]

That's a great idea that worked out extremely well.

[Anitropius]

Wow, I'm very impressed! I don't use neither Montblanc cases nor very slim pens sadly, but this sure made me want to get a few just because of how cool this looked. Ingenious and well done.

[meiers]

Brilliant