Sonnenleder Pencil Case "Simmel" black

The "Simmel" is a minimalist pen case crafted from black-dyed calf leather – compact, with a main compartment for approximately five pens and a polished metal zip fastener made in Germany. It is handcrafted entirely from selected Southern German cattle hides, tanned using traditional pit tanning with purely plant-based tannins. The surface feels velvety and firm, carries a characteristically subtle leather scent – and transforms with every year of use.

Features

• Purely plant-based pit tanning: The leather is tanned not with chrome salts, but exclusively with plant-based tannins in pits – a time-consuming, traditional process that gives the leather a lively, breathable surface with natural texture. The result is chrome-free leather that feels pleasantly soft and warm to the touch.
• Southern German cattle hides: The "Simmel" is made from selected cattle hides sourced from Southern Germany – a raw material supply with short lead times and traceable origins. Each hide brings its own surface structure, making every case a unique piece.
• Lively patina: Through rain, sun and warmth, the black-dyed leather changes its tone and texture over time. Lighter areas darken, signs of wear become part of the character – the case visibly tells the story of where it has travelled.
• Polished metal zip fastener: The zip runs smoothly and evenly, keeps the main compartment securely closed and reliably protects your pens from damage, even inside a bag.
• Pure handcraftsmanship: Every case is handcrafted and hand-stitched. Minor variations in surface finish and colouring are not flaws, but signs of individual craftsmanship.

Use & Tips

• For fountain pens and fineliners: The main compartment comfortably accommodates five pens – ideal for a curated selection: one or two fountain pens, a mechanical pencil, a fineliner. Pens with clip fastenings sit stably inside and don't scratch each other, as the soft leather acts as natural padding.
• Breaking in the leather: New Sonnenleder can darken unevenly on first contact with moisture – this is not a fault, but the beginning of patina development. Those who carry the case regularly from the start will speed up even, consistent break-in.
• Care: Plant-tanned leather benefits occasionally from a thin layer of leather grease or colourless leather balm. This keeps the surface supple and allows the patina to develop evenly. Avoid harsh cleaning agents.
• As a travel case: The compact format fits into any jacket pocket or bag interior pocket. For those who write frequently on the move, this keeps their essential writing instruments within reach – without loose rolling or scratches.

For Leather Enthusiasts

The traditional pit tanning that Sonnenleder uses for the "Simmel" is one of the oldest tanning methods in existence: the hides lie in pits filled with tanning liquor and slowly absorb the plant-based tannins over months. The result is leather with a high tannin content, firm structure and pronounced capacity for patina formation – properties that simply do not develop with the much faster chrome tanning process. Those who see leather not merely as a material, but as a living substance, will find exactly that in the "Simmel": a surface that responds to use, deepens, and becomes truly distinctive over time.

Technical Specifications