Sonnenleder pencil case "Busch" natural

The Sonnenleder pencil case "Busch" in natural is a flat leather pouch – slim enough for your bag, spacious enough for everyday writing instruments. The exterior is South German cowhide, tanned entirely with plant matter and finished by hand, left undyed in its natural shade: a light, subtly reddish-brown tone that grows darker and more characterful with each use. Inside, a soft suede lining ensures that delicate lacquered fountain pens or pencils with polished wooden shafts won't get scratched.

Features

• Plant-tanned cowhide, undyed: The leather is chrome-free tanned using infusions of bark, roots and fruits. The open-pored, non-impregnated surface responds to light, heat and touch: over time, a silky, wax-like patina forms that seals the leather protectively and gives each piece a distinctive character.
• Suede lining: The velvety-matte interior of suede protects writing instruments from scratches – particularly important for fountain pens with delicate lacquered finishes or gilded clips.
• Polished metal zip: The closure runs smooth and evenly; the metal is polished and harmonises with the warm natural tone of the leather. No catching, no snagging on the leather.
• Flat format, 1 cm thickness: When closed, the case lies almost flat – fits into any outer pocket of a rucksack or jacket without bulging.
• Handcrafted in Germany: Leather cutting, stitching and finishing are all done by hand. Each piece shows minimal colour and surface variations – no two are identical.

Use & Tips

• Fountain pens and mechanical pencils: The main compartment holds writing instruments up to approximately 19 cm in length – standard fountain pen length fits easily. The suede lining prevents clips or engravings from pressing into the opposite side.
• Travel and everyday use: At 19.5 × 10.0 × 1.0 cm, the case fits flat into notebook sleeves or pocket organisers – ideal as a compact companion case alongside an A5 notebook.
• Develop patina actively: The undyed natural leather is sensitive to light and oils. If you carry the case in your hand frequently, you'll accelerate patina formation. A uniform initial tone can be achieved through light maintenance with pure beeswax or unscented leather fat.
• Cleaning: Light marks on undyed Sonnenleder can often be treated with a slightly damp cloth and air-dried afterwards. Deep discolouration becomes part of the patina – and thus part of the piece's story.

For Leather Enthusiasts

The leather in Sonnenleder products comes from South German cattle and is processed using traditional pit tanning: the hides lie in several pits with progressively increasing tannin concentrations over weeks until the plant-based tannins have completely transformed the protein fibres into stable leather fibres. The result is a chrome-free, skin-friendly material with an open-pored character – without plastic coating or levelling. The "natural" version is undyed; the slightly light brownish-red base tone is created solely by the tanning process itself and varies from batch to batch. When you place Sonnenleder products side by side, you'll notice minimal differences in the base tone – a hallmark of genuine vegetable tanning.

Technical Specifications