Eureka! A New Piquadro Adjustable 3-Pen Case!

[Clive Merrick Morel]

After conducting many hours of unsuccessful online searches during the course of several days, I was almost ready to throw in the towel and accept the fact that Piquadro 3-pen cases were simply no longer available. Okay, so there are a paltry few to be found, but at an exorbitant cost and from only one stateside supplier.

Then, from out of the clear blue, I stumbled upon the German eBay seller: Das_Outlet! whereupon everything suddenly and dramatically changed for the better. Although I couldn't understand word one on the website, the images that were shown depicted the exact model I was after … and did they ever look gorgeous!!!

 

• Image_1
• Image_2
• Image_3 <= From an FPN review

Now here's where it gets even better ... the cost of the case was only €29.00 plus €8.05 for shipping and insurance. With the exchange rate: 1 USD = 0.774942 EUR, I paid a whopping total of $47.81 U.S. to have this absolutely stunning case delivered to my front door (via Registered Mail). Incidentally, it took nine calendar days for it to arrive from the day I placed the order.

 

I underwent the single most positive shopping experience I've had to date with Das Outlet!, due to the single-handed efforts of one gem of an individual: Ms. Simone

März (Seller 8935 of Das Outlet!). Without her invaluable assistance, I would have been totally lost. Dead in the water would certainly have been a more accurate assessment.

 

Initially, I sent an e-mail to Das Outlet! hoping to get some, okay, a lot of help with the translation of the language so I could purchase the case without incurring an excessive number of 'operator' errors and for verifying that the model offered for sale was indeed the exact one I was after. Ms. März immediately replied with the most detailed and gracious response I'd ever received, which enabled me to purchase the case with no problems whatsoever. I had several further questions, to which she addressed in great detail and with a good helping of friendly warmth … an attribute that's sorely lacking in today's "business-only" communiqués.

 

Ms. März shipped out my case the very same day I ordered it (!!!) and sent me an e-mail with the German tracking number forthwith. It arrived in the New York, NY port of entry the very next day where it went through the typical Registered Mail slow-as-molasses red tape (delays). Once it arrived, however … I was thrilled beyond expectation and forgot all about the nail-biting wait, for it's arguably the most superbly built, best looking leather case on the market today.

 

Aside from marvelling at the stellar appearance of the immaculate/artistic retail box the Piquadro came in, it became immediately apparent after carefully opening it that … the first thing to REALLY "hit" me was the smell of the case's gloriously aromatic Italian leather: it's indescribable! Actually, it's as much an event as it is a sensation, the truth be told. Of further note is the inner layer of fabric that serves as a barrier between one's pens and the case's leather. The fabric sports what I call an "Italian" design for lack of a better term, as I've observed this and similar patterns elsewhere and it's virtually always on something of Italian manufacture.

 

All my fountain pens, from the diminutive Pilot

Décimo all the way to the Pencraft Lotus fit graciously within the case and their looks are further augmented while enshrined within! Prior to its arrival, I was afraid the Lotus wouldn't quite fit due to its rather humungous outer dimensions. Happily, I breathed a sigh of relief when it fit like a glove.

 

This isn't meant to be a serious review of the Piquadro 3-pen case, which has been previously undertaken several times (and by far more eloquent writers, I might add). I just wanted the good folks at FPN to know how satisfied I am with not only the case but with Das Outlet! and Ms. Simone März, in particular.

 

Last and certainly not least, I wanted to provide a link to the Das Outlet! Web page where you could obtain a Piquadro 3-Pen Adjustable Leather case:

 

Link to Piquadro AC872TP/TM 3-Pen Leather Case at Das Outlet!

If you ultimately decide to purchase one, would you please let us know how you like it?

 

Very Best Regards,

 

-Clive

Edited March 20, 2009 by Clive Merrick Morel

[MDI]

Um... do they also have a black one?! I want!

[Clive Merrick Morel]

Um... do they also have a black one?! I want!

Hello MDI,

 

Not that I am aware of. If you send an e-mail to Ms. Simone_März it's a safe bet she can provide you with the answer.

 

Please let us know what you find out...

 

Cheers!

 

-Clive

[MDI]

Well, I sent the e-mail to Ms. Simone März. Let's see what happens.

[Clive Merrick Morel]

Well, I sent the e-mail to Ms. Simone März. Let's see what happens.

Very well done. Let's hope there's a black version available...

 

Cheers!

 

-Clive

Edited March 20, 2009 by Clive Merrick Morel

[Doug C]

You freaked me out a little in that when I looked at the image 3, I saw that this was my photograph.

 

Then I realized that you were referencing this in one of my reviews, and it was not the retailer doing this.

 

 

I think we might think about banding together and petitioning Piquadro to starting producing these again.

 

I would love to have one or two in the black finish.

 

 

 

[Clive Merrick Morel]

You freaked me out a little in that when I looked at the image 3, I saw that this was my photograph.

 

Then I realized that you were referencing this in one of my reviews, and it was not the retailer doing this.

 

 

I think we might think about banding together and petitioning Piquadro to starting producing these again.

 

I would love to have one or two in the black finish.

Hello, Doug!

 

I'm sorry if I freaked you out with that glorious photo you shot of your very own Piquadro! It's got to be the very best shot of the case anywhere on the Internet. Great job, Doug - the photo and the review.

 

I thought the case I'd recently purchased WAS new. Hmmm ... Perhaps it's NOS? The Model AC872 per se is nowhere to be found, however the Model 872ACTP/TM, which looks awfully similar to the AC872 IMHO, is (it's the model I bought). I wonder what the differences are, if any?

 

Take care,

 

-Clive

[Clive Merrick Morel]

I would love to have one or two in the black finish.

Ooops -- I forgot to comment on this one...

 

A Piquadro case in black would definitely be on my wish list, too.

 

Cheers!

 

-Clive

[Doug C]

I know that some of the earlier versions had a little metal emblem on the front of the case (at least for the black versions) as opposed to being embossed.

 

The darker two pen case I show is several years old, but the three pen case is only about a year old, and probably one of the last versions that they produced.

 

No matter.

 

All of the cases they made were some of the nicest ones available.

 

 

Just beautiful stuff.

 

 

[Clive Merrick Morel]

I know that some of the earlier versions had a little metal emblem on the front of the case (at least for the black versions) as opposed to being embossed.

 

The darker two pen case I show is several years old, but the three pen case is only about a year old, and probably one of the last versions that they produced.

 

No matter.

 

All of the cases they made were some of the nicest ones available.

 

Just beautiful stuff.

Thanks a lot, Doug! I really enjoy learning as much as I can about first-class fountain pens and their paraphernalia including ... and often times especially ... the minutiae.

 

Speaking of paraphernalia ... Piquadro leather pen cases most assuredly caught (grabbed) my attention the very first time I saw one (which happened to be on my computer screen). They're artistic creations IMHO, not merely fountain pen storage/transport vessels.

 

Piquadro's current 3-pen case, the AC872TP, is a bit understated to suit my tastes. It's certainly more than "just okay"... however it lacks the colorful fabric liner of the model we both own and, as such, appears just a tad on the anemic side, comparatively. Take a look:

• AC872TP
• Image

You're right on target, Doug . . . they're just beautiful stuff.

 

Cheers!

 

-Clive

Edited March 20, 2009 by Clive Merrick Morel

[Doug C]

Clive,

 

 

I'm just glad to see that they are still making pen cases. They seemed to have moved away from them for a while.

 

Most of their newer items are more modern, and less traditional. I like contemporary products, but really do like the original version.

 

The upside is that they should still have that great leather, with that smell....

Edited March 21, 2009 by Doug C

[NYLegMan]

I've e-mailed Piquadro several times, asking if they would do a special production run of cases for FPN... unfortunately no responses. :bonk:

[youstruckgold]

I have one of the older brown ones and love it! I think the brown has more character than the black. Fits everything, weathers well, looks great!

 

One went recently on ebay for about $55 US too - great buy!

[dannyboy]

Many thanks for the tip on the Piquadro 3 slot pen case! I have the 2 slot case and love it, and of course now I want a 3 slot one! I've emailed Ms. Marz and will patiently wait to see what happens. Again, thanks for your detailed description of your process of obtaining one. And what a great price for such a quality item!!!!!! Will keep you posted.

[Clive Merrick Morel]

Clive,

 

I'm just glad to see that they are still making pen cases. They seemed to have moved away from them for a while.

 

Most of their newer items are more modern, and less traditional. I like contemporary products, but really do like the original version.

 

The upside is that they should still have that great leather, with that smell....

Hello, Doug.

 

I agree ... the original version is far more desirable.

 

And that glorious Italian smell is irresistable! Piquadro had better not be "86ing" that from their leather products anytime soon!!!

 

Cheers!

 

-Clive

Edited March 21, 2009 by Clive Merrick Morel

[Clive Merrick Morel]

OOPS!

 

Would a Moderator be so kind as to delete this (attempted) post?

 

Thanks a lot.

 

Sorry... :embarrassed_smile:

 

-Clive

Edited March 22, 2009 by Clive Merrick Morel

[MDI]

Apparently, a 3-pen case like that in black is not available. We have an older one, but that's for 2-pens.

[Clive Merrick Morel]

I've e-mailed Piquadro several times, asking if they would do a special production run of cases for FPN... unfortunately no responses. :bonk:

NYLegMan,

 

If Piquadro made a special production run for the good folks here at FPN it would be a literal Godsend!

 

However, the initial tool-up/pre-production costs, in view of today's depressed economy, would likely be astronomical ... which may be part of the reason Piquadro has declined to respond to your messages (just a wild hunch on my part). They could simply be too busy ...

 

If a large number of FPNers were to e-mail them with the same request, perhaps they would be more inclined to render an answer ... one way or the other. It's worth a try!

 

Best Regards,

 

-Clive

[Clive Merrick Morel]

I have one of the older brown ones and love it! I think the brown has more character than the black. Fits everything, weathers well, looks great!

 

One went recently on ebay for about $55 US too - great buy!

Youstruckgold,

 

+1! Absolutely! The brown color exudes much greater character than the black, IMHO.

 

You're quite obviously a person with impeccable taste...

 

Cheers!

 

-Clive

[Clive Merrick Morel]

Many thanks for the tip on the Piquadro 3 slot pen case! I have the 2 slot case and love it, and of course now I want a 3 slot one! I've emailed Ms. Marz and will patiently wait to see what happens. Again, thanks for your detailed description of your process of obtaining one. And what a great price for such a quality item!!!!!! Will keep you posted.

Dannyboy,

 

It was my pleasure!

 

I hope you enjoy your new 3-pen case as well as your online business transaction with Ms. März. It's safe to say that both are a given!

 

I couldn't believe the price, either!!! It's the lowest I've found anywhere ... and believe me ... I literally scoured the Internet.

 

Please do keep me (okay, us) posted. Can't wait to hear what you have to say!!!

 

Very Best Regards,

 

-Clive