When Galen Leather announced its Stack & Store system, my corner of the internet got very excited -- the whole range sold out fast. You can see why. A modular and expandable stacking storage system for pens from 11 to eleventybillion, plus inks if you want, with glass or solid lids, handmade from wood with … Continue reading Galen Stack & Store pen trays: great if you come with the right expectations
storage
Review: the Galen Leather Sketch Box
The Galen Sketch Box is really intended for artists. I'm certainly no artist, of any stripe. But I do frequently write away from my desk, and not always in notebooks. When writing with loose sheets of Tomoe, especially using guide sheets, I have often been frustrated trying to keep them in place on a normal … Continue reading Review: the Galen Leather Sketch Box
Where do you keep your pocket pens when they’re not in your pocket? Galen has the answer.
Just this week I ordered two more Schon P6s. When I'm ruthless about managing the rest of my collection, pocket pens can be a bit of a sideline vice for me. I know I'm not alone. They're inexpensive and fun. These tiny pens don't sit well in regular pen cases, for obvious reasons: pocket pens … Continue reading Where do you keep your pocket pens when they’re not in your pocket? Galen has the answer.
Esterbrook Pen Nook v2: new solutions, new problems
The Esterbrook Pen Nook v2, or “Nook Navy”, is undoubtedly a better pen case than the first version, which I reviewed a little over a year ago. But while making a load of changes, Esterbrook has introduced a couple of new problems that you should be aware of. Kenro sent me the six-pen version of … Continue reading Esterbrook Pen Nook v2: new solutions, new problems
My new companion: the Nock Burton
Nock cases are, to me, a high water mark of design in pen carry. While I dally with other brands (from Franklin-Christoph, Esterbrook, Hurlestone and others), I return to Nock for my daily users. I have accumulated quite a few... I like the robust, colourful materials. I like the fact they're lightweight and flexible, with … Continue reading My new companion: the Nock Burton
Esterbrook Pen Nooks: bringing some pizzazz to pen storage
I was really excited about the Pen Nooks when Esterbrook parent company Kenro shared images of them with me a while ago. It's always good to see a new entry to any market, and I hoped these products would be a fresh competitor to cases from the likes of Nock, Hurlestone and Franklin-Christoph. And phwoar, … Continue reading Esterbrook Pen Nooks: bringing some pizzazz to pen storage
Behind the scenes: storage, travel and writing desks
When you're a pen freak like me, you spend as much time organising your stationery (and other hobbies' detritus) as you spend using it. My setup is not fancy. I don't have a huge house, I don't have a dream home office or desk setup. I have a beaten-up Ikea desk and office chair that … Continue reading Behind the scenes: storage, travel and writing desks
The Galen Writing Box is a warped wonder
Update 13th July 2018: Galen got in touch with me after I posted this review. They've painstakingly redesigned the box, again, and are going to send me a third one. I'm impressed both with their transparency and their commitment to standing by their product: Just read your review again. You are very right with all … Continue reading The Galen Writing Box is a warped wonder
How many pens is too many?
It comes up surprisingly frequently on pen forums and Facebook groups. How many pens do you have? How many do you have inked? How many do you carry? The questions have more than a hint of the confessional. Like we want to know if we're normal. The answers, of course, vary dramatically. Some people — … Continue reading How many pens is too many?
You’re gonna need a bigger boat
A recent post by Alison at Her Nibs got me thinking about storage. For a long time, I figured that my hand-converted cigar box would be plenty of storage for my pen collection. Depending on how crammed I'm willing to make it, it holds up to eight pens in felt-lined luxury. Now that cigar box … Continue reading You’re gonna need a bigger boat
UK fountain pens 