Kutsuwa Edwin Folding Pencil Case Review

Last Updated on Wednesday, 07 April 2010 20:01 Written by Atticus Saturday, 13 March 2010 00:00

This Edwin folding pencil from Kutsuwa is, on first appearances, a fantastic looking piece of kit.  Fashioned from what seems to be a canvas type material, it feels indestructible.  Tough doesn't begin to describe it.  It is attractive too, straddling that line between minimalist chic and army depot surplus - an odd combo but it works here.  Despite the glowing red Edwin label on the front strap, there is a hint of 'black ops' about this pencil case if you know what I mean.

Feature wise this pencil case has two purse style zippered sections in what is a remarkably simple design made complicated by mesh pockets sandwiched between the two, two straps holding it all together and another mesh pocket on the outside.  You can get lost among the zips, straps and mesh if you aren't careful.

Once you get your head around all of the bells and whistles you will also find that this pencil case is quite the packhorse.  30 plus pens can be packed away into this case and that is without filling the mesh pockets.  However, when you do decide to fill the mesh pockets, located between the two zippered sections, you will find that your pens will be a touch awkward to access.  Granted the two velcro straps pinning the two pockets together can be relaxed but then the odds of the mesh pocket items in the middle coming loose increases.

And therein lies the problem.  I was really looking forward to this review before I started using the pencil case but now that I have been using it I am slightly annoyed by it.  In fact I knew this pencil case wasn't for me within two days of using it.  There is nothing fundamentally wrong with this pencil case as such.  In fact there is much that is good about it, but it is annoying.  It is so fiddly.  If it sounds like I am making a mountain out of a mole hill I don't want to come across that way.  It is just that in the classroom I can't afford to fiddle around trying to find 'that pen'.  I need it there waiting for me, easily accessible.  If also found that if the pencil case is closed up and the straps in place I can really only access the top of each zippered section or the outside mesh pocket.  When opened up, 'book style', I forfeit easy access to one of the zippered sections.  I have to manoeuvre the pencil case in some way every time I need to access a different section or mesh pocket.

My criticisms are really just a matter of usage style.  I lean toward the roll up type of pencil case or the box style.  Those of you who like the zippered pouch type of pencil case will be very happy with this Kutsuwa folding pencil case.

Having had my whinge, there are some features I really like in this Kutsuwa Edwin folding pencil case.  The use of velcro straps to aid expansion is a good idea even if it wasn't for me.  I also loved the mesh pocket on the outside bottom length of one of the zippered sections.  This is where I stuck my 'go to' pen or in my case a mechanical pencil.  I could access this pencil without having to negotiate the straps or zips - a great idea.  Overall I think this pencil case shows Kutsuwa are willing to experiment and look for new angles on the traditional pouch style pencil case.  Good on them.

If you have questions about the Kutsuwa Edwin folding pencil case please email me or leave a comment below.  Thanks go to Jetpens for the first two images.

Summary

Dimensions - 19.5 (l) x 9.5 (h) x 5.5 (w) cm

Positives - Tough, stylish, pack horse

Concerns - Mesh pocket durability, security of items in middle mesh pockets.

Negatives - Fiddly to Use.

Users - Students, Artists, Special Forces ;)

Price - Medium (15-30 AUD)

Other reviews - Jetpens forum post (great photos)

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