Gerstner Pen storage

I discuss storage of my fountain pens and inks.

The main box:

The base:

[ElectricUnicycles]

For those of you without the budget for a Gerstner tool chest, Harbor Freight sells a very affordable version (~$80)

[IAT]

I did something similar about 8 months ago. Having access to the pens and seeing them frequently has put a stop on my desire to keep buying new pens. I actually enjoy them more now.

[PiersStudio]

Books or a book-case or even two is a perfect thing to find in a bedroom of a civilized man. In mine I have five bookshelves. They are filled with books I probably will never read, but some have pretty covers. My loft bedroom is not large, but large enough to contain those shelves, books as well as the following: 6 leather or aligator suitcases filled with flags, 3 large boxes filled with Lincoln Logs, 2 suitcases filled with shoes...and I don't even have the shoe fetish thing. Large boxes of white styrofoam and vinyl for more "hats" I make. Various other art supplies in various containers which include two dozen little stuffed white bunny rabbits). A folding wooden wheelchair, a rocking chair, a sedan chair, piano stool, ottoman, 3 folded folding divider screens and 2 portable enbalming tables. If there is a partridge in a pear tree I wouldn't be surprised.

[adventuredenali]

Fantastic box! Visually, it’s an attractive piece, but the practical set up is truly appealing. Hope you’ve been enjoying your time. Nice to have a project. Looking forward to seeing the base as well!

[PiersStudio]

I have used vintage machinist chests in the past as well. The flaw I found with that type of storage is the need to flop down the front cover to get access to the drawers. One extra step isn’t a huge hurdle, but my need for instant gratification is too strong. The vertical positioning the pens is the better option. If I know I want to write with the yellow Parker, I need not pull the drawer out completely, just enough to see it and grab it.

I have a number of things I use for my pen storage. Mostly repurposed....watch strap storage case, coin collection case, etc. I’ll upload a video soon.

Good luck in deciding how you organize them. The “Pier Gustafson” way for the pens I use at my drawing and calligraphy desk are done by nib type. Other rules of display can be found in different areas. My brain needs to remember how one particular pen is “organized”. It could be with its siblings by manufacturer....that is where most are found. You’ll need to watch the video to discover the other locations!

[JoelTurrell]

I was planning to downsize my collection. However, with one of these, I could actually increase the number of pens, and not feel guilty.

[pamelaboxall]

I have a soft spot for a nice piece of oak. It’s not the fanciest wood in the world but something about it raises my spirits. Thanks for another great video which has highlighted to me the one piece of furniture I should buy when the world has turned a few times and righted itself - a pretty little vintage bookcase for my bedroom!

[MultiEbbot]

looks like a real neat cabinet. And there is some room for expansion. :) Fun to see your nice collection aswell.

[sharonb]

Nice pen storage. Excellent project while you're spending time at home.

[dimhelmet]

The link for the main box is missing part of the beginning! I was comparing this to one I bought from Harbor Freight for much less, but it appears mine is also much less quality. It would be interesting to see if they're manufactured in the same place and just rebranded. I do like the way closing the lid locks the drawer cover panel in place (mine has a separate lock). Do you have a place you get the pen trays?

[x-changex-outx-oner]

That is one nice set up.


Seems like the options on what to do with the pens and the paraphernalia that goes along with it is numerous: it's nice to have some kind of organization in place when it comes to this hobby.


Great video.

My pen storage consists of cigar boxes. The pen paraphernalia is in a storage bin with seperators.

[Maraaha]

Oh, you are a one! We've been in your bedroom before - you showed us your books, I believe.
Great pen storage, and pretty enough to be furniture - the Harbour Freight version is a lot more industrial if I remember correctly - nothing wrong with that (it can be a Look), but wood is more domestic looking. Your layout looks great in there too. I'm just a bit concerned because, although seeing the number of pens you already have scares you, there's going to be a LOT more room in the base for EVEN MORE pens! ... and What are you Going to Do with the pen cases now? [First World Problems]
Perhaps your next project needs to be Ink Storage to a similar standard. I feel that the grrreat benefit of 'closed' storage is avoiding Dust, which of course may not bother you, but is an issue if ink bottles/boxes are on open shelving. ....not that this bothers me enough to actually pick up a duster, ye ken! 😁😂😎
I love this kind of video - all the vicarious excitement of New Stuff and Organising things.

[matthewbeddow]

Thank Jason that's a really neat piece of furniture, looks great.

[InktronicsBlog]

I really like that storage box and have been looking at the Harbor Freight version for a while. I just never seem to pull the trigger. I assume the HF version is just more cheaply constructed?

[bdm]

I have a smaller antique-ish machinist tool box. Great pen storage. I’m sure your collection will grow to fill the space!

[ChrisSaenz]

That's a really nice storage chest! I've been eyeing one at Harbor Freight since I saw one at my brotherinlaws house he was using for tools. Right now I still I like my Monteverde 36-pen cases for storing my most used fountain pens.

[liberal]

We had similar ideas. When I learned I would be teleworking for a while, I wanted to clear my pens out of my locking desk at work and bring them home, so I ran out and got a very similar 8-drawer chest from Harbor Freight. I'm glad I did it on the previous paycheck when stores were open. I ended up using Go Pens trays, and some of my last Pendora pen trays (they had nice large slots which were wider than the Go Pens ones, but sadly appear to be out of business now). I ended up choosing the same tray layout, and made some similar measuring errors on one drawer too. Also, some great choices on that book shelf; a Bacigalupi fan, I see.

[jonirwin]

This is a good chest. It's an overseas version. Gerstner sells their USA units made in Dayton Ohio. More money but it is much higher quality all around. Keep the jobs here!

[ArkansasMike]

Nice cabinet. Great storage. Thanks for sharing . 👍✒

[Allthough]

very nice! I have debated getting the harbor freight case, but I don't reckon I have enough pens to make it worthwhile... yet I agree with you about the string tags. They seem like a bit of a mess. But, I don't have a better idea at the moment. Will be curious to see what solution you come up with :)