It’s long past time that I reviewed the Franklin-Christoph “Penvelope Six,” a pen case that has been around for several years now, to the point where it can probably be considered a classic accessory. I was a bit late to the party on this one, picking up my first Penvelope at the 2019 Atlanta Pen Show.
The “Penvelope” gets its name from the clutch or envelope-like design. The interior of the Penvelope Six features six fabric-lined pen loops that will hold pens as large as an Opus 88 Omar or a Montblanc 149. (Smaller pens still feel secure in the Penvelope, but if you don’t like the idea of them moving around you can clip them to the slot.) The fold-over magnetic closure isn’t especially tight, but I’ve not had any serious issues with it coming open, and it’s not as if you’ll want to transport this pen case - or any case containing fountain pens, for that matter - in a bag where it can easily flip upside down. This is a case more suited to use in a briefcase, purse, or secure backpack slot, and it slips into a briefcase particularly well.
Per the specs, the Penvelope Six holds six pens, but that doesn’t mean you can’t push the penvelope. (See what I did there? Sorry.) Depending on size, you can easily add a few additional pens or mechanical pencils (especially if they’re slender), and I’ve even used the sides to transport traveling inkwells from Visconti and Pineider. Franklin-Christoph leather is high quality, and I’ve had no issues with the finish or build quality on my Penvelope or my Covered Pen Tray that I’ve now had going on five years.
Takeaways and Where to Buy
The Franklin-Christoph Penvelope Six becomes my pen case of choice when I travel and need to bring more than two or three pens with me. If you’re in the habit of carrying more than six pens, you can opt for the larger Penvelope 13. The model shown here is the classic design in black Napa leather. Recently, Franklin-Christoph has updated the Penvelope line and released them in a more squared off design with additional color options. You can view the full line of Franklin-Christoph pen cases directly on their website.
Disclaimer: I purchased the case pictured here at the 2019 Atlanta Pen Show, with my own funds, for my own personal use. This post does not contain affiliate links.