Long Nakaya case

I love Japanese hand made pens I have made a number of cases for the supersize pens but I make cases for all sizes pen.

This is where I start three pieces of flat kydex this is a plastic that can be heated and formed originally from the aircraft industry but also used in the making of gun holsters.

I have a two part wooden form which I made to the shape I wanted for the pen slots. I heat the kydex with a hot air gun until it is soft enough to form.

I made this form with a small curve at the end and a more vertical rather than a gentle arc that a single pen case would have.

After trimming and sanding.

I have also cut the back panel which still needs trimming to size but I leave that until the pen slots are wrapped in suede.

Wrapping the pen slots in red suede.

After wrapping the pen slots in suede I started to mould the outer covers

I  started with another form for a three pen case as it was too deep I quickly moved to forming over the actual pen slots as a form.

For some time I have been thinking about adding text to my leather work I have started using old lead printing type. There is some fantastic brass type available but it is out of my price range.

Thanks to my eagle eyed Instagram followers we caught the spelling mistake.

After forming I added the Navy blue dye and started putting things together.

This is the point where I mark and cut the kydex back panel.

Trying to do things the right way I made a template for the front flap using my circletool

Normally I stitch the lower section then mark out the front flap cut it to shape before marking and stitching it.

On this case I marked and stitched the flap before cutting it out. At this point I found out why I left the stitching until last. If the stitching was slightly off the whole case is ruined. The stitching was slightly off line and there was no way to correct it if I had not stitched the flap I could have trimmed the flap to make it straight.

The next step

Back to step one

This time I left the front in the form to dry completely I think it gives a better shape.

Dying in progress

Second time dry fit.

This time I stitched the lower half including the strap then I was able to try the trimmed flap before stitching. I noticed the slight incorrect angle on the flap and was able to correct it this time.

Stitching finished

Ready for packing and shipping

Thanks for reading

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