Where can I find a good quality pencil case?

October 23, 2005 4:07 PM

I love using pencils. Unfortunately, I have yet to find a slim, durable case to store them in, without having their sharp points either poke through or break off completely. Can anyone help me a find a good quality pencil case? I've already gone through dozens of the cheap, zippered plastic kind, only to have my pencils puncture through them, and leave a mess of gray scribbles. I'm a student, and currently use a medium-sized leather tote bag to carry my stuff around, so something that's not too big and clunky is preferable. Thanks to everyone in advance!
posted by invisible ink to Shopping (16 answers total)

An eyeglass case? I store mine in a hard plastic case from a DIMM I bought online a few years ago.
posted by boo_radley at 4:15 PM on October 23, 2005

Best answer: get a dowel of some sort that is longer than your longest pencil. Put a rubber band or two around your pencils and the dowel. This will preserve the points and you can put the pencils anywhere you want pretty much. I used to do this with my artist's paintbrushes iirc.
posted by konolia at 4:17 PM on October 23, 2005

Mechanical pencils + pocket protector, maybe?
posted by Citizen Premier at 4:18 PM on October 23, 2005

Go to an art supply store: they'll have tons of hard cases for pencils.
posted by fshgrl at 4:20 PM on October 23, 2005

(single) cigar tube? I like mechanical drafting pencils for this reason, although I rarely prefer pencils to pens these days.
posted by kcm at 4:26 PM on October 23, 2005

LA has a decent-sized Chinatown (or the next time you're in San Fran). Go to the bookstores or music stores there. There should be a wide selection of cases.

However, many of them will run on the "cutesey" but you should be able to find some plain-er aluminum cases.

If you don't like the clanking, you can find some foam - cut a piece out to fit inside the case, and cut slots for the pencils.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 4:44 PM on October 23, 2005

I've seen the rectangular aluminum cases at office supply stores and 99 cent stores.
posted by Juliet Banana at 5:03 PM on October 23, 2005

A leather case like this one should be tough enough to keep the points from going through, and soft enough to prevent the points from breaking.
posted by cali at 5:33 PM on October 23, 2005

Why not get a metal tin like this? You can fill it with your own pencils if you need to.
posted by blue_beetle at 6:01 PM on October 23, 2005

Any reason you wouldn't just put a pen cap over the end?
posted by five fresh fish at 6:29 PM on October 23, 2005

Who knew that there were so many funky pencil cases in the world? Thanks for posting the question.

The Babu, Aluminum, MOMA, Dick Blick, Horchow, Haba Shuttle, Coffin, 60's Moppets, leather, Burberry, Betty Boop, Calfskin, Piquadro, Parapet...awesome...
posted by jeanmari at 6:37 PM on October 23, 2005

Response by poster: Thanks for the fantastic answers everyone (and the effort, jeanmari;-)
posted by invisible ink at 9:20 PM on October 23, 2005

You might enjoy A Pencil Revolution a blog dedicated to pencils.
posted by phewbertie at 3:50 AM on October 24, 2005

Pocket Protector's are the way to go. Really.

Don't screw around with anything but the finest!
posted by phrontist at 7:28 AM on October 24, 2005

I use the metal cases Rotring Artpens come in. Perfect for 3-4 pencils, pens and even small brushes. Great for trips.
posted by bonehead at 7:54 AM on October 24, 2005

Best answer: Secure the tips in cork, foam, or styrofoam. A soft sponge might even work. You should be able to cut it to fit an existing pencil case.
posted by Eideteker at 9:33 PM on October 25, 2005