Canadian-made pen display cases

[bushellk]

When my fiance said she wanted to buy me a display case for my pens as a wedding gift, I knew I was marrying the right woman. The problem was, she is in Calgary and couldn't find anything there. So I started looking here in Montreal (yes, she is moving here at Christmas) and discovered this woodworker who has some very nice pen cases at a very reasonable price, and I thought FPN members might be interested.

 

http://www.jacquescoulombe.com/pens35.htm

 

I am going to get the 24 pen one; you have to scroll down a bit. I've always loved rosewood. I'll let everyone know what I think once I see one.

 

With the Canadian dollar so low right now, they are a real steal for you American folks.

 

Kevin

Edited October 30, 2008 by bushellk

[RayMan]

Very nice cases. Thanks for the link.

[chainwhip]

Kevin-

 

I called Jacques Coulombe to ask if they had a 36 pen display case and they suggested I purchase from their source in the US (shipping and duty from Canada to the US would make it much more expensive). Here's a link to the display cases Stateside:

 

36 pen case (the one I'm looking for):

 

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKGDISP4.html

 

http://www.pennstateind.com/graphics/400px/PKGDISP4.jpg

 

24 pen case:

 

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/PKGDISP3.html

 

http://www.pennstateind.com/graphics/400px/PKGDISP3.jpg

 

Thanks again for the heads up!

Edited November 2, 2008 by chainwhip

[bushellk]

I was mistaken: these are not made in Canada but made in China. Jacques Coulombe is a distributor for Penn State Industries, which I guess imports from China. They have distributors in the US, as you've discovered.

 

I feel compelled to admit that I had some problems with the 24 pen display case. The bottom of the drawer was curved (warped) and that made the tops of the pen dividers catch on the opening and the drawer wouldn't open. I was eventually able to open it and switched some of the dividers around and that solved that problem. But the case itself was warped and wobbled on the table; the lid didn't sit evenly across the front. I took it back but a second one had the same problems, at which point I got a full refund and backed away. I just discovered this today.

 

It's really too bad because the boxes are potentially very nice and relatively inexpensive. I'm not saying that every item will have similar problems, and perhaps the 36 pen case is built better.

 

It seems to be a similar problem as the Espresso Stationary boxes discussed elsewhere: kind of hit and miss. Caveat Emptor.

 

Kevin

[Maja]

Nice cases! Thanks for the info, Kevin.

 

They remind me of the ones the Bombay Company was selling (picture below):

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii306/MF518/bombayco_penstorage-1.jpg

[bushellk]

Isn't that interesting. My fiance (now wife) looked in Bombay but couldn't find exactly what she wanted. I guess that particular store didn't have these in stock. So we've come full circle. I'll find the item online and send her the link. Thanks!

 

Kevin

 

P.S. Bombay is a bit over-priced but does have very nice work.

[bushellk]

A quick search through the Canadian website turned up nothing. Is that why you wrote "was selling"?

 

Any idea where I could get one of these? (or rather, where my wife could get one?)

Edited November 5, 2008 by bushellk

[bushellk]

Anyone have one of these?

 

HTTP://www.levenger.com/PAGETEMPLATES/PROD...=2-3|PageID=961

 

The user reviews at Levenger are good, but you never can trust those.

 

Kevin

Edited November 5, 2008 by bushellk

[cmenice]

I don't have the box from levenger, but I have one that looks exactly the same. I paid $20 for it. It's an alright box, but in my opinion it's not "wedding gift" good.

 

I've also seen the other boxes listed here 24 pen (etc.) and those were not that impressive.

 

Good pen cases are tough to find. At least fancy type ones are.

[CraigR]

Kevin, I have several of the boxes from Levenger. They are pretty good quality and I think consistent with the selling price. /Craig

[Siv]

I am lusting over one of these:

http://www.fahrneyspens.com/ProductImages/Large/123701b.jpg

Kaweco Cube

[Jersey Diabolo]

I am lusting over one of these:

http://www.fahrneyspens.com/ProductImages/Large/123701b.jpg

Kaweco Cube

 

I have a Wstarstore version of this pen case. They sell these on eBay. I bought mine in 2007, the first year they were at the Dallas Pen Show. I just love it.

 

It holds 57 pens. I've since grown out of it :embarrassed_smile: .

[bushellk]

One thing I like about the Levenger case is that the pens are tipped slightly upright. It's not so much for the display aspect, but I've heard you should store a fountain pen upright to prevent the nib from rotting. Since I use my small collection, and keep the pens filled, I'm thinking the Levenger one might tip the ink back enough into the barrel of the pen to keep the nib dry.

 

Kevin

 

 

 

[Maja]

A quick search through the Canadian website turned up nothing. Is that why you wrote "was selling"?

Well, I got mine a few years ago but I don't go into the Bombay Co. stores enough to know if they still carry them or not.

Any idea where I could get one of these? (or rather, where my wife could get one?)

'Fraid not, Kevin.....Sorry I couldn't be of more help; sometimes things come up for sale in chains like The Bombay Co. and then a few months/years later, they're gone because the store has discontinued the item. Heck, Costco does it all the time

 

I myself have been frustrated many times with regard to *current* products being sold by large chains in one part of Canada not being available in another