Sonnenleder pencil case "Böll" black

The "Böll" writing case from Sonnenleder is a pencil case handcrafted from vegetable-tanned South German cowhide. Pit tanning – one of the oldest and slowest methods – produces leather with a lively, slightly irregular surface that feels warm and supple to the touch from the start. Black cowhide, full leather lining, rubber loops covered with leather: the case smells of genuine craftsmanship – and gets better with every year.

Special Features

• Vegetable pit tanning with South German cowhide: The slow, ecological tanning creates a dense, firm leather structure without synthetic tanning agents. The surface remains lively and develops an individual patina through rain, sun and warmth – no two cases look the same after years.
• Full leather lining: The inside of the case is also lined with leather, which gives pens – especially fountain pens with lacquered surfaces – a gentle, non-slip support.
• Rubber loops covered with leather: The loops hold pens securely in place; the leather covering protects writing instruments from direct contact with the rubber tension, preventing lacquer scratches on high-quality fountain pens.
• Spacious compartment system: One slot for the fountain pen, four additional loops for pens up to 17 cm, a flat leather pocket for ruler or stamps, an additional tab for eraser or sharpener.
• Quality zipper: Closes the case completely and reliably protects the contents during transport in your bag.
• Pure handcraft: Each piece is unique – stitch pattern, surface structure and later patina differ from piece to piece.

Application & Tips

• Fountain pens with wider grip zones: The loops are designed for standard grip diameters; large-volume fountain pens (e.g. TWSBI 580 or Eco) usually fit comfortably in the wide main loop.
• Leather care: Vegetable-tanned leather benefits from occasional treatment with a colourless, wax- or lanolin-based leather care product. This keeps the surface supple and slows down drying – especially if the case rarely gets rain or moisture.
• Break-in period: Fresh from the workshop, the loops are still tight. After a short break-in period, pens sit securely but are easy to remove.
• Transport protection for delicate nibs: The leather-covered loops and full leather lining make the case particularly suitable for fountain pens with broad or flex nibs that cannot withstand hard impact.
• Flat pocket as ink sample archive: The leather pocket also holds colour swatch cards, ink colour cards or business cards – practical for calligraphers who need to document colour decisions on the go.

For Leather Enthusiasts

Pit tanning – as opposed to the faster drum tanning – allows hides to slowly immerse in tanning solution from tree bark over months. The result is leather with a particularly tight fibre structure: firm, dimensionally stable, but not stiff. Vegetable-tanned leather responds to moisture and UV light with patina formation rather than surface deterioration – the typical, warm-earthy smell is a direct characteristic of this tanning method and fades over time. Sonnenleder exclusively processes South German cattle hides – short delivery routes and controlled origin are part of the manufacture's ecological approach.

Technical Data