Sonnenleder pencil case "Richter" natural

The Sonnenleder writing case "Richter" in natural is a compact pen pouch made from vegetable-tanned South German cowhide – crafted entirely by hand in Germany. The undyed natural leather reveals its character immediately upon handling: warm to the touch, slightly rough on its grain surface, with the distinctive warm, subtle aroma of freshly processed vegetable-tanned leather. Three rubber loops secure one fountain pen and two additional pens, whilst an all-round metal zip closes everything safely.

Features

• Purely vegetable pit tanning: The leather is processed without chrome and without synthetic tanning agents in a tanning pit using plant-based tannins from bark and fruit. Pit tanning takes 20–30 months and produces firm, breathable leather with an open-pore grain structure – grippier and more lively than industrially chrome-tanned material.
• Natural colour – undyed: The light beige, slightly reddish surface is completely undyed. Light, moisture and body heat alter this initial colouring individually: the leather darkens irregularly at first and gradually develops a natural protective patina that repels moisture and makes the leather progressively more even and durable.
• Leather lining: The interior is also lined with leather – no fabric, no synthetics. This protects delicate finishes, fountain pen clips and polished pen bodies from the fine scratches that woven lining material would cause.
• Rubber loops for three pens: An elastic rubber webbing with three loops secures one fountain pen and two additional pens up to 14 cm in length – without pinching. Piston-fill pens with wider bodies sit just as safely as slim cartridge pens, rollerballs or mechanical pencils.
• Polished metal zip: The all-round metal zip closes the case completely. Zips and rubber webbing also come from Germany. The slider's weight across the polished teeth is noticeably solid.
• Handcrafted in Germany: Each "Richter" case is individually hand-made and stitched. Seams, edges and zip guides are carefully finished without any machine-made appearance.
• Selected South German cowhides: Sonnenleder uses exclusively hides with traceable regional origin and short supply chains – each hide is unique with its individual surface structure.

Use & Tips

• For daily use: The case accommodates one fountain pen, one ink roller or ballpoint and one pencil – a sensible selection for the office, seminars or on the go. The 14 cm length limit of the loops suits most standard pens; very long items should be measured in advance.
• Breaking in: Fresh from the workshop, the leather is still relatively stiff. With regular use – including through body warmth when carried – it becomes more supple and adapts. Those wishing to speed up this process can rub the leather thinly with undyed leather fat.
• Care: Vegetable-tanned natural leather remains supple with occasional treatment using colourless leather fat or wax. After heavy moisture, allow to dry slowly in air – never with direct heat (radiators, direct sunlight). Water marks that appear will fade with further oiling and use.
• Fountain pens and writing instruments: The leather loops hold piston-fill pens just as well as slim cartridge pens or mechanical pencils. Those regularly switching between several nibs can use the case as a compact daily companion for the three pens currently in use.
• As a gift: The undyed natural leather changes individually with its user. Each case develops its own patina story, making the case a personal possession over time.

For Leather Enthusiasts

The pit tanning that Sonnenleder employs is today a rarity: worldwide, only about 10–12 % of processed leather is vegetable-tanned; the vast majority is industrially treated with chrome salts. In pit tanning, hides first pass through the so-called colour stage in multiple pits with weak tanning liquors before being further tanned in the sinking or setting vat. The entire process takes up to 20–30 months – compared to just a few days in chrome tanning. The result is leather with a completely tanned, firm fibre structure, containing no chrome residues and stabilised with tannins from plant bark and fruit. The open-pore, unsealed grain surface of the "Richter" responds directly to moisture, heat and light: the patina develops not as an applied layer, but as a natural densification and discolouration of the leather surface itself.

Technical Specifications