Suggestions For Pen Storage?

May 11, 2020

Well i've come to the point in life where i've somehow ended up with about 40 pens... now where in the world do I put them all? for now they are all sitting in a shelf looking quite messy and some just kind of rolling round, some have found there way into a drawer in my desk, some are next to me on a table and god knows where else pens have ended up. im curious,how do you keep your pens sorted out? some pics would always be welcome. thanks!

May 11, 2020

I have two pen cases (20 pen versions of the below models). The one from Amazon is inexpensive and does the job. The second one is a bit more upscale version made of leather. I prefer having slightly smaller pen cases organized according to brand.

40 pen case from Amazon

40 pen case from Aston Leather

Edited May 11, 2020 by mad_pharmacist

May 11, 2020

Two fundamental divisions: a) Mobile storage, and Non-mobile storage. One issue to consider is the size of you pen. What is the longest length and what is the widest girth? Don't buy a storage system that can't hold all your pens. Albeit that some particularly large pens will not fit some storage systems.

Mobile storage allows you to take you pens with you. There are literally hundreds of pen cases and wraps that can contain between 1 and 80 pens. Material ranges from leather to cloth to various man-made materials. There are also slotter boxes made of cardboard that storage 10 pen. One issues to look for is the assurance that you pens can't knock against each other while in the storage system. I prefer storage systems with complete separation by cloth or walls of some type, or two elastics, which reduce the ability of the pen to jostle its neighbors while in transit.

Non-mobile storage is intended to be left home and can store anywhere from 10 to a hundred or more pens. They can include storage made for pens and storage that is adapted to storage pens by the inclusion of divisions to hold pens. This category would also include most pen manufacturer display cases that can be adapted for home use.

In terms of mobile storage you probably want to start with a two or three pen case, which can be made of leather, cloth or some other material. Franklin-Chistoph (no relation) offers a fine line of material here. If you want to take more than 2-3 pens, look a the larger cases as well. I have a 3 pen case and a penvelope (13 pens) and find both useful. Generally a two-pen case may run around $20 (for cloth) up to $85 for a penvelop. These are available new or from the secondary market.

In terms of non-mobile storage, the question is how much of display function you want for the pen. The finer quality finishes for display functions command a higher premium. There are several manufacturers and a very wide range of prices. Some people may not get non-mobile storage preferring only mobile storage cases. I have display cases and non-display cases. I prefer the non-display cases due to cost issues. My favorite is a jewelry storage container (here) and some pen tray forms (here). Cut the forms to fit the sliding drawers of the storage container. In terms of a non-mobile display-oriented storage system, you can try this. Explore various dealers who have a variety of systems.

At 60 pens, you are probably committed to the hobby and the collection tends to grow. Shrinkage is rare and temporary. So get more storage than you need. Your desires and needs should indicate number of storage devices, quality, material and style. Get quality that matches the quality of your best pens you are trying to protect (i.e. if the pens you want to storage are rare and valuable, get a high quality storage system.)

May 11, 2020

There's plenty of dedicated storage ideas floating around the internet. I'm in the process of looking for a larger storage solution that puts all my pens except for my EDC in one safe place, but in the mean time here are some options:

I picked up this chest at a pen show last year. I think it's an old cutlery chest repurposed into pen storage. This chest doesn't move from it's place, so it's perfect for easy access.

Otherwise, stationery stores have zippered pouches that are purpose built to haul your pens around. I ordered this Girologio case from Goulet, and there are dozens of options at probably dozens of stationery stores that could compete. This case offers good protection while moving pens around, but I feel like the elastic bands are a little rough. I don't put pens I'd worry about scratching the finish on in this case.

For a bit more mobility, I've got a few of this style of case kicking around. The black one is another Girologio case, and just like with the brown one above the elastics are a bit rough. The brown 4 pen case is from Van Der Spek, and it's what I carry my EDC in to work and back. It's not reinforced, but it does separate the pens. I leave it inside my briefcase so I don't need to worry about the whole case flexing. But I wouldn't carry it free inside a bag where something could press up against it.

The single pen sleeve is more to protect my pocket from leaks then really to protect the pen, but there's an incredible variety of single pen sleeves out there.

Edited May 11, 2020 by bemon

May 11, 2020

Thank you so much for the detailed replies, I cannot thank you enough for how helpful this is ill have a look at all the different options, but i'll be getting a leather case for mobile storage, and a wooden case for pens not in use.

May 11, 2020

How did you miss this topic?

May 11, 2020

How did you miss this topic?

Maybe he didn't. Maybe he did. We can start whatever threads we want, right?

May 11, 2020

How did you miss this topic?

I dont know, I don't view every single topic on FPN. Just didn't see it I guess, hence why I started this one. Thanks for the link.

May 12, 2020

My suggestion is contrarian. First, identify when and where you will be using your pens. If some away from home, then get a good case for transporting no more than half the number of pens you plan on transporting up to a maximum of 12, unless you are going to be transporting to sell pens, or you live in a place where you might need to evacuate. If this matches the number of pens you are going to have, then stop and locate a convenient place in your home to place the portable storage case or roll.

I suggest this approach because unless you have a good reason to it is not a good idea to transport all or even a good portion of your pens out into the community and certainly you will not need any more than a dozen at a time. If you are going on a trip and you are concerned about actually running out of ink, take more ink, not more pens. There is no good reason to take large amounts of pens out into the community, unless you are selling them or you are fleeing for your life and taking the pens with you. The possibility of having the pens lost, stolen or damaged is real and needing to worry about a lot of pens will only make your trip unenjoyable.

Now, if you are going to have many more pens, say 20, 40 or 60 you could use a pen case that is a nice accessory to your home. Start by identifying what your style is, record it. Identify the approximate size of the case you would want and record it. Then identify where you would like to place the case, measure the space and record it. Then shop for a case which matches your style, meets your needs and will fit into a nice accessible place in your home where it will look good.

But, if you are going to need more storage for more pens, say 80, 160 or more, then what you need to do is think bigger as you will run out of space for many small cases and they really will not look good being strewn throughout your home.

So, what to do, well identify a place in your home to devote to pens and buy a vintage commercial display case. It will likely not match any of your other furnishings, but that is typically acceptable as it will both hold your pens and be a unique item purposely chosen that represents the past and your interests.

Or, obtain a large vintage chest that compliments your furniture and fill its drawers with pen trays and place it as you would a small case, but in a bigger space.

Or, hide your pens in a mass of drawers in a roller cart lined with pen trays. Place roller cart in closet. Have a small display case for pens in current rotation on your desk.

Or, purchase a set of horizontal file drawers that match your desk and place said pens in pen trays in file drawer.

Or purchase a game table with drawers and place pens in pen trays in the game tables drawers.

I have done all of these things.

Edited May 12, 2020 by Parker51

May 12, 2020

I use these boxes, which holds 23 pens. The photo was posted by me on another group (sword), who were bantering whether the Pen was Mightier than the Sword.

May 12, 2020

it's a difficult question, the point is whether you plan to stay at 40 pens or add more and how many more...

It might also be useful to ask yourself how long did it take you to get to 40 pens...

all in all you have already received some good answers

a drawer is the best solution if you plan to have many pens

40 pens can still be stored efficiently with a few 10-13 pen cases (such as shown in the last photo by bemon)

but you do need to have a few smaller pen cases that will allow you to carry pens with you, there are several 3 pen cases which work really well.

May 12, 2020

it's a difficult question, the point is whether you plan to stay at 40 pens or add more and how many more...
It might also be useful to ask yourself how long did it take you to get to 40 pens...
all in all you have already received some good answers
a drawer is the best solution if you plan to have many pens
40 pens can still be stored efficiently with a few 10-13 pen cases (such as shown in the last photo by bemon)
but you do need to have a few smaller pen cases that will allow you to carry pens with you, there are several 3 pen cases which work really well.

It took me about 2 years to get to 40, and I do plan on adding more. Yes I like the idea of the pen cases to store my pens I am using for the week, and having a box/boxes for the rest.

I use these boxes, which holds 23 pens. The photo was posted by me on another group (sword), who were bantering whether the Pen was Mightier than the Sword.

That's a great storage solution, Nice pen collection by the way. Nice swords too!

May 13, 2020

For the most part in slotter boxes that are stowed in a HON vertical file cabinet{s}....

Fred

May 15, 2020

I have about 40 myself. I have converted three cigar boxes, holding 12, 12 and 13. Plus for inked pens I have a 12 pen Girologio leather zipper case. So I have a little excess capacity right now....

May 15, 2020

Please take a look at that post and see what our fellow FPN member my63 is making, sewn by hand modern pen cases, adapted for pens, boxes, restored old fashioned leather cases... He even built his own workshop!

https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/255117-making-a-pen-case/page-72

While display cases are wonderful to highlight your most cherished pens, I believe that soft cases and a dedicated transporting device (bag) are essential, if you live in an area prone to natural hazards.

May 15, 2020

August 29, 2023

Spend money on a dedicated pen bag or pouch made just for fountain pens. To keep the pens from rubbing or touching one another, these cases typically contain individual slots or compartments for each pen.