I have been a fan of the Nock Sinclair for almost five years now. I purchased the Coffee/Amethyst Sinclair case in December 2017 when I was getting into fountain pens again, and I have been using it ever since. I have managed to keep 4-6 fountain pens, a few ballpoints or gel pens, and a small notepad and random pieces of paper that I need tucked away in the OG Sinclair. It’s a great little case. Once I even got some body oil on it by accident, but I managed to scrub it out with dish soap, baking soda, and a good soaking in the sink. I had considered purchasing another Sinclair, but then Nock Co. ceased production about a year ago.

When I heard about the new collaboration between Rickshaw Bagworks and Nock (Brad) to create an updated Sinclair on the Pen Addict podcast, I knew that I was probably going to get one. I had started to use a Rickshaw duo pen sleeve tucked into the original Sinclair’s middle section, and the new Sinclair would accommodate other Rickshaw sleeves, plus it would have that soft plush material in the interior. Fortunately, I ordered a Sinclair Model R when there was a promotional discount at $40. The regular price of the Sinclair Model R is now $59. It’s not cheap, but it’s a quality case, made in the USA. If the original is still going strong almost five years later, I have no doubt that the Sinclair Model R will last just as long and beyond. These are quality cases that should last decades, so when you factor in the durability, the price is definitely reasonable.

I managed to cram 13 fountain pens into the Sinclair Model R, including three that were in a 3 pen Rickshaw plush coozy. I could probably cram a few more pens into the Model R, but I don’t like straining zippers. As you can see from the photo above, I have 6 fountain pens, including two in a Rickshaw duo pen sleeve and 2 non-fountain pens, a Parker Jotter and then a Zebra Sarasa gel pen, in the original Sinclair. The Sinclair Model R lets you pack more pens, plus the plush lining is wonderful for avoiding scratches. I haven’t had any issue with scratches that I can notice in the original Sinclair made of cordura/nylon, but apparently some pen finishes can get micro scratches with that material.

The Sinclair Model R is larger, but not too large to be overly bulky or make it seem like it would take up that much more space in a backpack, tote bag, or briefcase. If I were carrying a purse, I would probably opt for the original Sinclair to keep things a bit lighter if I want to carry more than two or three pens. For traveling or being in a situation when you want lots of options with your pens, the larger Sinclair Model R is the way to go. It’s also a great carrying option for people who like large and oversized pens. I like that the Model R has a pocket on the exterior that could accommodate a small notebook or notepad, a few more pens, or phone. Keep in mind that the lining of the outer pocket is not plush.

The updated Sinclair Model R would certainly make a nice gift for a fountain pen user. Rickshaw will soon have similar customization options for this pen case that it offers on the pen sleeves and bags. Being able to pick different colors for the exterior and interior is always a nice option to have. Overall, I would recommend the Sinclair Model R. It’s well constructed, has everything the original has with some nice upgrades.