[Pen/Pencil Review] The Nock Co. Lookout Pen Case

Yes, okay I know today’s not actually Monday – but holidays that fall on Monday throw me off. So, in honor of it NOT being Monday – this pen review will NOT be of a pen, but a pen case. Back in the Fall of 2013, my husband – The Enabler and Kickstarter Addict – found Nock Co. on Kickstarter and decided to back it. He’s got a couple of their styles, and so did I – I’m going to introduce you to one of them today – The Lookout – Three Pen Holster

The Lookout is, as the name implies, a “holster” pen case. It’s a pocket type pen case with stitching for three pen slots, a fold-over flap that tucks into a strap to keep pens secure. The Lookout is 3.5″ wide and 5-6.5″ tall (the flap lets you adjust the height. It’s has a “heavy, DWR coated nylon exterior and durable pack cloth liner“. It comes in three colors – gray and teal, navy and silver, red and orange. I picked the navy and silver.

This pen case feels good. The slots are wide to accept big barreled pens. The fabric feels like it’d described. I don’t get the impression I’m going to rip this thing if it goes rattling around in a purse, computer bag, or book signing box. Which is a good thing, because that’s EXACTLY what I’m using this pen case for – my convention/comic book show/book signing pens (yes, of course I have pens designated for that).

What’s nice about the Lookout – besides the sturdy (handcrafted in Georgia) design, is the wide slots. I carry two Sherpas in two of the slots. They fit comfortably and slide in and out easily while feeling secure. The third slot I currently have two pens in – a stainless steel Sharpie pen and my Fisher Space pen. The Space pen will probably come out – but it’s nice to know you can get two slender barrel pens in one slot if needed. And these are the pens I do use at shows because between them all, I can sign almost any material – and with the protection of the case, I don’t have to worry about dinging up my Sherpas (they’re not cheap).

The Nock Co. store is still in development, but they do have a blog. They did get product out according to their Kickstarter promises. They’ve got contact and social media info if you need one RIGHT NOW, they might be able to get one to you. Oh, and if you’re a bigger pen geek than me, one of the founders of Nock Co. is Brian Dowdy of The Pen Addict. He knows his pen stuff.
The numbers:

1. How does it work? – 1 – It works really well. It holds three thick barrel pens (which it’s advertised for) or, if you don’t mind them together, up to six slender barrel pens.
2. Grip and feel – 1 – Okay, so there’s no grip, but it does feel durable and solid while being flexible. The pens work out well in them.
3. Material – 1 – The material for the outside reminds me of canvas or heavy denim. I’m not sure what DWR coating is – but it feels water-resistant to me (and as someone who spills, that’s cool). The pack cloth liner is soft enough I don’t feel like it’ll scratch while being tear-resistant.
4. Overall Design – 1 – It’s well-designed for what it is. They don’t overhype the case. It’s a good, versatile pen case.
5. Price Point – 0.5 – None of these are going to be cheap. But they’re made here in the USA (in Georgia) by guys who know their stuff. I’m not sure what this one will retail for, but it was part of the $20 backer incentive… so I’m going to figure it’s going to run somewhere along there. But I think I’m going to get my $20 worth of use out of it before I kill it.

That’s 4.5 of 5 bronze pencils.

Tags: Brian Dowdy, Fisher Space Pen, kickstarter, Nock Co., Pen Case, Sherpa, The Lookout, The Pen Addict