Pen Storage

NFP Pen Storage Review: A 20-Pen Case, an 11-Pen Tray, and Soft Portable Pen Cases

Handmade pen storage from Istanbul-based NFP, covering a walnut 20-pen case, a solid mahogany 11-pen tray, and three soft portable saddle bag cases.

Wooden pen case, pen tray, and fabric pen roll arranged on a walnut desk

Introduction

Good pen storage is one of those things you do not think about until you own something well made, and then it quietly becomes part of your daily routine. NFP, short for Needs For Pens, is a company based in Istanbul, Turkey, founded by an architect who collected pens for more than 35 years and started designing storage after running out of room at home. That origin shows in the products: every piece tested from this brand has felt carefully considered, solid, and priced reasonably for handmade work.

This roundup covers three offerings: a 20 pen case, an 11 pen tray, and three soft portable pen cases. Here is how they compare.

NFP 11 Pen Tray

The 11 pen tray is made from solid mahogany and strikes a nice balance between feeling substantial and staying light enough to move around the desk easily. The raised edges mean multiple trays stack neatly if you buy more than one, and side handles make picking them up simple. The back is covered with felt, and the laser-engraved logo on the rear is crisp and clean.

The pen slots are made from flexible plastic with a flocked surface, which does a good job of protecting finishes. One practical warning from long-term use of flocked storage: keep it dry. Attempting to clean ink off a flocked surface with a damp cloth can lift the flocking right off.

Wooden pen tray with fountain pens resting in flocked slots on a writing desk

On fit, most standard and even oversized pens settle in nicely. A very large flagship pen does not quite nestle down into the slots, and another extra-large model sits slightly propped up at the top, though that actually makes it easier to grab. At $48 for a handmade piece, it is a strong value for keeping pens organized and from rolling around a desk.

NFP 20 Pen Case

This was the favorite of the three, and it is easy to see why. The box is built with walnut veneer finished so cleanly that there are no telltale seams; it reads as one solid piece of wood, with a pleasant heft that never feels burdensome. Small details add up: feet on the bottom so it does not scrape surfaces, a padded top in Alcantara, the suede-look synthetic textile made from polyester and polyurethane, and precision craftsmanship at the corners.

The drawers open easily thanks to a small slot in the front, and they are magnetized so they close with a satisfying, gentle pull rather than a slam. They also do not slide open on their own; hold the case at an angle and shake it and the drawers stay put, which matters when the case is full and being moved around.

Walnut pen case with padded top on a tidy desk

The drawer trays are also walnut veneer with soft Alcantara slots, and clearance is generous. Two very large flagship pens can sit side by side with room to spare, something many cases cannot manage, and even oversized pens slide back into the case without catching.

At $160, depending on the dollar to Turkish lira exchange rate, this is an outstanding price. Shipping to the US runs roughly $40 to $50, so around $200 total, and the packaging is so well protected with bubble wrap, foam, and boxes that it would survive rough handling. For the quality and functionality on offer, that is a bargain.

NFP Soft Portable Pen Cases

The portable options are called hebi in Turkish, which translates to saddle bag. They come in three sizes, priced at $20, $21, and $24 depending on the exchange rate, and each front is decorated with traditional Anatolian symbols, some tied to civilizations in the region dating back as far as 7,000 BCE. Options include ilil, symbolizing femininity, fertility, productivity, and luck; insan, representing a small boy or girl and a creative mind; and hayat agaci, a tree-of-life style symbol of communication between earth and the heavens, constantly evolving and ascending. Other symbol choices are available too.

Soft fabric pen case with stitched traditional motifs on a desk

The smallest case uses a magnet closure and a material that balances ruggedness with softness, flexible without being too rigid, and holds three pens. The middle size adds a strap to keep it secure and also holds three pens. The largest holds five pens plus room for a notebook, which makes it the pick for anyone who rotates pens through the week and wants them separated rather than knocking against each other.

Everyday Portability and Pen Fit

For daily carry, the five-pen model is the standout. Weekly pen rotation works far better when each pen has its own slot, and there is still space for a small notebook. Oversized pens are the limit here: a very large flagship pen technically fits in the slot but protrudes from the top and would press against the plastic zipper, so it is better left at home. For everything of standard size, the soft cases handle daily transport well and look good doing it.

Fountain pens laid out on a desk being selected for the week

Buying Advice

If your collection lives on a shelf, the 20 pen case is the piece worth saving for; it is the highest-quality item of the three and a genuine statement piece for a desk. If you want affordable organization for pens in use, the 11 pen tray at $48 is an easy recommendation, especially since trays stack. If you carry pens to work or rotate through a weekly selection, the soft portable cases solve that problem for $20 to $24. All of it ships well protected, and pricing across the line is very reasonable for handmade quality.

Conclusion

NFP continues to deliver the same combination that made earlier releases stand out: high quality construction at prices that undercut much of the handmade storage market. The walnut 20 pen case is the star, the mahogany tray is a practical desk upgrade, and the soft saddle bag cases make daily pen carry simpler. For anyone looking for quality storage solutions, these are well worth a look.

Further reading

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