Prouse Drid Penroll L Review: A Larger, Smarter Roll Pen Case Built on Italian Leather

Introduction

Prouse, a company based in Iwate Prefecture that builds simple, timeless products rooted in agriculture, has quietly become a favorite among stationery lovers. Its best-known accessory, the Drid Penroll, is a leather roll pen case that folds closed for carrying and unfolds flat into a pen tray. That original design earned an excellence award in the design category in 2024 after moving from a crowdfunding debut to general sale, and it has remained popular ever since.

Now Prouse is following it up with a larger, heavily revised version: the Drid Penroll L. It carries a regular price of 17,600 yen and, at the time of writing, is available through a crowdfunding campaign that opened on November 6th and runs until December 30th. The campaign has already passed its 1.5 million yen target, and the earlier you back it, the better the discounted price.

After spending real time with the L and comparing it directly against the original, here is what you need to know before deciding which one suits you.

What Makes the Drid Penroll Line Special

The core idea is refreshingly practical. The pen case rolls closed with a snap for everyday carrying, and when you sit down to write, you simply unroll it into a flat pen tray that keeps everything visible and within reach. When you are done, roll it back up and go. There is no separate lid, no fussy closure, and no awkward compromise between storage and use.

The leather plays a big role in the appeal. Prouse uses Italian vacchetta leather from Batarasi Carlo, specifically the Pueblo finish. There are many imitations of Pueblo on the market, but the Batarasi Carlo product is regarded as the original. Its distinctive slightly hairy texture is beautiful to look at, and because it is soaked in plenty of oil, the surface feels moist and supple in the hand. It even carries a pleasant natural scent that was noticeable the moment the case was opened. For leather lovers, this is the kind of material you want to keep touching.

First Impressions of the Drid Penroll L

The L version is considerably larger than the original, as the name suggests. Where the previous model held six pens, the L comfortably holds ten, and around twelve if some of them are slimmer pens. Despite the growth, it still folds into a compact shape that works as an everyday pen case.

The snap hardware is another noticeable upgrade. The L uses a larger, high-quality snap made in Italy, which makes it easier to open and close than the standard fittings. There is also a small practical detail behind this choice: oil leather does not pair well with some common plated snaps, and the plating on cheaper hardware can rust over time. Prouse chose real gold plating for this case to avoid that problem. Two small hooks have also been added, which makes rolling the case closed easier and adds a nice visual accent when viewed from the back.

The exterior comes in seven colors: Petrolio, Sabia, Oliver, Coccinella, Tobacco, Navy, and Nero. The sample reviewed here is Coccinella, a warm tone that shows off the Pueblo leather particularly well.

Material Quality and the Pueblo Leather

The leather on the L is thicker than the previous model. That means it starts out on the firm side and needs some breaking in, but the upside is a case that should soften beautifully and develop a rich, personal patina over years of use. Because the leather is already saturated with oil, there is no need for conditioning or cleaning; just keep it away from moisture such as rain when carrying it around.

The interior has changed too, and this is one of the most welcome revisions. The previous model exposed the back of the leather on the inside, while the L uses the same Pueblo leather on the inside as the outside, so it looks far more refined when opened. The brand logo appears on the side in a subtle, well-placed way that suits the overall look.

Practical Improvements Over the Previous Model

Beyond size and materials, the L addresses several real-world frustrations that owners of the original will recognize immediately.

The pen slots are 1cm taller than before. On the previous model, shorter pens could poke out through the gap when the case was rolled and carried, which was its main drawback. Raising the slot height significantly reduces the chance of pens shifting or slipping out in transit.

The L also adds two small holes where you can insert and secure smaller or slimmer pens, keeping them from moving around inside. Slots accommodate shafts up to 12mm in diameter. Note that because the leather is stiff at first, you may need to widen these holes slightly at the start to give them a comfortable shape, so handle them gently during the early weeks.

The interior flaps are another thoughtful change. The leather on the inside is not fully sewn down, so you can store pens behind it and use it like a flap. This keeps pens from being scratched when the case is closed, and because the top and bottom are separated, you can hook a pen clip onto the flap. The right side works the same way, so you can tuck thin pen cases or sticky notes there as well. And if you never use the tray function, you can simply leave everything as it is; the case lets you choose how to use it.

Things to Consider Before Buying

There is one genuine caution worth knowing about. Oil leather and certain metal finishes do not get along, and because the interior of the L also uses oiled leather, it may be best not to store metal-tipped stationery pressed against the interior for long periods. If you use the case as a pen tray, or if you take pens out regularly, this is unlikely to matter. But for long-term closed storage where items sit inside for weeks at a time, there is a risk of marking or corrosion, so keep that in mind.

The other consideration is the break-in period. The thicker leather is firm at first, and the securing holes in particular may need gentle widening before they feel perfect. If you want a case that feels broken-in on day one, this is not it. If you enjoy watching a leather product soften and age over time, this is exactly what you are signing up for.

Buying Advice

If you own the original Drid Penroll and have been happy with six pens, the L is a meaningful upgrade: more capacity, a full-leather interior, taller slots, securing holes, better hardware, and hooks that make closing easier. The improvements reflect a long list of user feedback, and it shows.

If you are choosing between the two and you carry a large pen rotation, the L is the clear pick despite the higher price. If you prefer something more compact and only need six pens, the original remains a simple, well-executed roll pen case at a friendlier price. And if the L interests you, the crowdfunding window running until December 30th is the most affordable way to get one, since the regular price afterward will be 17,600 yen.

Conclusion

The Drid Penroll L takes an already winning formula and improves it in nearly every dimension: looks, materials, capacity, and everyday practicality. The scent and feel of the Pueblo leather are genuinely hard to resist, and the oiled finish means you can carry it for years without any special care, just reasonable protection from moisture. With the caution about long-term closed storage of metal-tipped pens in mind, this is a pen case that should age beautifully and last a very long time. It is easy to recommend to anyone who loves well-made leather stationery accessories.