Kutsuwa Dr. Ion Multi Box Pencil Case Review

(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Twitter. And check out her latest book, Out of Water, now available where books are sold!)

If you need to upgrade your pen case to a pen suitcase, you might want to take a look at this Dr. Ion Multi Box from Kutsuwa. There are so many features that I haven't even figured them all out yet. There are pockets and loops and straps and compartments and room for a little of everything.

The case is made from sturdy nylon canvas and is split into two double-zippered sections. Between the sections is the PVC handle that is on metal loop hinges for comfortable carrying. You could even handcuff it to your wrist, if you've got it loaded with your most precious pens.

The sections open lengthwise, and the double zipper allows you to open and close from either end. One side of the case has a zippered mesh pouch on one side. A center flap divides the space. That flap has an elastic band with a bottom pocket on it that can hold multiple pens. The flip side of the flap acts as padding for the other side of the compartment where there are other elastic pen loops. This is the largest space in the case, and could be filled with tons of pens.

The other side of the case zips open to show four deep pen pockets on one side, and a few smaller elastic-bound pockets on the other side. These work great for sticky notes, erasers, or other small accessories.

This is the most high-capacity pen case I've ever used. I packed it with everything I thought I'd need on my recent writer's retreat, and I could have easily added a ton more. It worked great and I really liked the organization of it all. I think this case is the perfect thing for students who have to carry a variety of stationery, where they can organize their pens, pencils, markers, colored pencils, erasers, glue sticks, sticky notes, etc. My middle schooler had to upgrade to two pencil cases last year to carry all the stuff on his school list--but this case would hold it all. So he's probably going to get this case, come Fall. And then I'll need another one for myself.

The kicker here is that this is the MEDIUM size of this case. There is a large! The medium is a very reasonable $24.50, and the large, which has considerably more capacity, is $36.50 and is more purse-sized. You can even get a shoulder strap for it. Part of me thinks this might be too much stationery capacity ... and part of me really wants to put it to the test.

These cases aren't really designed for the transport of truly delicate pens. I wouldn't put my handmade acrylic fountain pens in it--there's not a lot of padding to speak of, and the compartments knock into each other a bit. But for school or art supplies, this is a really nice way to organize and carry your supplies.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Kutsuwa Stad T'Gaal Pencil Sharpener Review

(Jeff Abbott is a regular contributor at The Pen Addict. You can find more from Jeff online at Draft Evolution and Twitter.)

I haven't been in the woodcase pencil game very long, but one of the first things I realized after buying a few pencils is that I didn't really have any pencil sharpeners. Thinking back, I hadn't owned a pencil sharpener since middle school, which makes sense given that's the time I was allowed to switch to using pens for class. And, just like the woodcase pencil world, there's a wide variety of sharpeners you can buy.

After trying a few, I noticed the Kutsuwa Stad T'Gaal sharpener on Jetpens. Besides, the difficult name, it sported a unique dial on the front that caught my interest. The benefit of this sharpener is that you can choose between 5 different sharpened lead core lengths. In other words, this sharpener can give you a short, stubby writing length, a long, pointy writing end, and three degrees in between. There are a number of reasons you might want different core lengths, but most of them boil down to preference. For me, it was mostly curiosity because I didn't really know what kind of length I preferred.

For less than $7, you can buy a sharpener that gives you an idea of what different core lengths do to a pencil. In a way, each length setting gives the pencil a different character.

So, how does it work? Simple: just rotate the dial to the core length you want (represented by the numbers 1 - 5), and sharpen away.

Setting 1 will sharpen the pencil to a short core length. This gives the tip a sharp angle that produces a stubby writing tip. I like this setting for some uses because after you wear down the initial sharp point, you have a wide, blunt tip to work with. This is great for shading or writing with a wider line width.

Setting 3 looks like the standard pencil core length you get from any other sharpener in school. It's the middle-ground setting, so that makes sense here. For most people, this will feel very familiar. It's a good setting for general writing.

Setting 5 produces the longest core length, accompanied by a very sharp tip. Obviously, you can get a very fine line with this setting, but it also makes the tip brittle.

Settings 2 and 4 are, shockingly, in between their surrounding settings. Is setting 3 too long, but setting 1 too short? Setting 2 might be perfect for you.

As an added bonus, there's also a "Closed" position on the dial that closes a small door at the sharpening hole to prevent shavings leaking out when being carried or moved.

When it's time to empty out all those shavings, there's a small door on the back of the sharpener. In my use, this door is a little small and needs help to empty the shavings, but it gets the job done. More importantly, this sharpener does a great job at keeping all the shavings inside while using it and carrying it in bags.

JetPens offer these sharpeners in four delightful colors: Orange, Green, Pink, and Light blue.

(JetPens provided this product at no charge to The Pen Addict for review purposes.)

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Enjoy reading The Pen Addict? Then consider becoming a member to receive additional weekly content, giveaways, and discounts in The Pen Addict shop. Plus, you support me and the site directly, which I am very grateful for.

Membership starts at just $5/month, with a discounted annual option available. To find out more about membership click here and join us!