Rickshaw Sinclair Model R: Pen Slots, Pocket & Size
The Sinclair Model R is a zip-around pen case that Rickshaw Bagworks makes with Nock Co., an updated version of Nock's original Sinclair. Rickshaw gives it as 6.75 × 4.25 × 0.75 in (about 171 × 108 × 19 mm), with three plush-lined pen slots, a wide pocket for a pocket notebook and an outside slash pocket.
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Product facts
- Product
- Rickshaw Bagworks x Nock Co. Sinclair Model R Pen Case (Cordura Black)
- Brand
- Rickshaw Bagworks
- Brand origin
- United States
- Made in
- United States*
- Material
- 1000D Cordura nylon outer (Cordura Black); Royal Plush lining; foam-padded panels; No. 8 YKK zip
- Released
- September 2022*
- Price range
- $$$$20–75 per case
Notes on these facts
- Made by Rickshaw Bagworks (San Francisco). Made in United States: Rickshaw's product page says every Sinclair Model R is made by hand, from scratch and to order in its own sewing shop in San Francisco; Gentleman Stationer also says Rickshaw makes its products in San Francisco. Source. Price: example listing. Released: Launch reviews from The Well-Appointed Desk and Gentleman Stationer (September 7, 2022) date it to September 2022. Rickshaw's page announces it as the first Nock Co. x Rickshaw product but gives no date.
- Price bands are typical US retail, checked October 2026.
Key takeaways
- Rickshaw lists the Model R at 6.75 × 4.25 × 0.75 in, about 171 × 108 × 19 mm: the same height and width as its Coozy Case, 0.75 in thinner.
- Rickshaw sized it to take its size L Coozies, which its size guide rates for pens up to 6.0 in (152 mm) long and 18 mm thick.
- The wide inner pocket holds a Field Notes-size notebook or smaller, according to The Well-Appointed Desk's September 2022 review.
- Rickshaw moved from a No. 5 to a No. 8 YKK zip, added foam padding and Royal Plush lining, and offers a 3+3 pen-slot option.
- Rickshaw says each case is made by hand, from scratch and to order, in its own San Francisco sewing shop.
What is the Sinclair Model R?
It’s a small zip-around pen case with three pen slots on one side and one wide pocket on the other, made by Rickshaw Bagworks with Nock Co. Retailers call it an evolved version of Nock Co.’s original Sinclair, a long-running favorite with fountain pen users.
Rickshaw calls it the first product of a Nock Co. x Rickshaw collaboration. Gentleman Stationer and The Well-Appointed Desk both reviewed it at launch in September 2022, and Rickshaw, JetPens and Goulet Pens sell it in many fabrics and prints.
Sinclair Model R specs
| Spec | Sinclair Model R |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.75 × 4.25 × 0.75 in (171 × 108 × 19 mm) |
| Goulet’s figure | 7.5 × 4.5 × 1.5 in |
| Pen slots | 3 (3+3 on request); sized for Rickshaw’s L Coozies, pens up to 6.0 in (152 mm) and 18 mm thick |
| Other pockets | 1 wide inner pocket; 1 outside slash pocket |
| Outer (Cordura Black) | 1000D Cordura |
| Lining | Royal Plush, both sides; foam-padded panels |
| Closure | No. 8 YKK zip-around, with paracord pulls |
| Options | Velcro patch, webbing loops, belt loop, lanyard loop |
| Made in | San Francisco, USA, made to order |
Everything except Goulet’s figure comes from Rickshaw’s product page and size guide; Gentleman Stationer gives the same size and Fontoplumo about 17 × 11 × 1.9 cm.
What fits inside?
Three pens up to about 6 in long, plus a pocket notebook or cards in the wide pocket. Rickshaw also sized it to hold one of its L-size 2-pen or 3-pen Coozies in the middle. The Well-Appointed Desk’s reviewer fit a Leuchtturm1917 A7 notebook in the pocket and still had room for one more pen.
On paper, a Field Notes memo book at 89 × 140 mm fits the 108 × 171 mm half, and so does a capped LAMY safari at 139.5 mm. Gentleman Stationer says the outside pocket took a standard iPhone 12 Pro.
How is it different from the original Nock Co. Sinclair?
The layout is the same, but the Model R adds a plush lining, foam padding, a larger zip, paracord pulls and an outside pocket. Rickshaw says it moved from a No. 5 to a No. 8 YKK zip to make the case slightly fatter for extra capacity.
Rickshaw describes the Model R as slightly taller, wider and fatter than the original, to fit its Coozies. The Well-Appointed Desk agrees: next to its older Nock Co. Sinclair, the earlier edition was about half an inch smaller, and Gentleman Stationer says the Model R is thicker.
What is it made of?
The Cordura Black version is 1000D Cordura nylon outside with Rickshaw’s Royal Plush lining. Rickshaw also offers its own in-house printed fabrics, such as van Gogh Starry Night, Great Wave and Inktopus, plus waterproof sailcloth, so check the listing for the fabric.
Gentleman Stationer warns that Cordura and nylon can micro-scratch the shiny finish of some polished pens. The plush slots are meant to guard against that.
How does it compare with other pen cases?
The Sinclair is built to carry a few good pens and a notebook; the others are built for a bigger pencil-case load.
| Sinclair Model R | Galen Leather 10 Slot | KOKUYO C2 (L) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 171 × 108 × 19 mm | 160 × 125 × 30 mm | 200 × 50 × 50 mm |
| Pens | 3 slots | 10 elastic loops | Loose, opens into a tray |
| Material | Cordura, plush lining | Vegetable-tanned leather | Polyester over a PP core |
| Made in | USA | Turkey | Not stated (KOKUYO gives China for the S size) |
Galen and C2 figures come from their guides. If you only carry pens, Rickshaw’s 3 Pen Long Coozy is the simpler option.
What are the downsides?
It holds only three pens, and long pens won’t fit. The 6 in (152 mm) limit for size L, which Rickshaw and JetPens both give, rules out longer pens.
Listed sizes also vary, from Rickshaw’s 6.75 × 4.25 × 0.75 in to Goulet’s 7.5 × 4.5 × 1.5 in. Rickshaw’s own price and most US listings we found sit in the $20–75 band.
Where is it made?
In San Francisco, by Rickshaw Bagworks. Rickshaw says every Sinclair Model R is made by hand, from scratch and to order, in its own sewing shop there, usually within 2–3 business days.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Sinclair Model R pen case?
Rickshaw lists it at 6.75 × 4.25 × 0.75 in, about 171 × 108 × 19 mm, as does Gentleman Stationer. Goulet Pens gives a larger 7.5 × 4.5 × 1.5 in, likely a packaged size.
How many pens fit in the Sinclair Model R?
Three as standard, one in each slot; Rickshaw also offers a 3+3 option. The case is sized for its size L Coozies (pens up to 6.0 in, 18 mm thick), and the wide pocket takes a pocket notebook.
What's the difference between the Nock Co. Sinclair and the Sinclair Model R?
The layout is the same: three pen slots opposite one wide pocket. Rickshaw added Royal Plush lining, foam padding, a No. 8 zip instead of a No. 5, paracord pulls and an outside slash pocket, and made it slightly taller, wider and fatter.
Who makes the Sinclair Model R?
Rickshaw Bagworks, the San Francisco bag maker, makes it in collaboration with Nock Co., which designed the original Sinclair.
Does a Field Notes notebook fit in the Sinclair Model R?
Yes, according to The Well-Appointed Desk, whose reviewer says the wide pocket holds a Field Notes-size notebook or smaller. They also fit a Leuchtturm1917 A7 notebook there with room for another pen.
Will the Sinclair Model R scratch my pens?
Gentleman Stationer notes that Cordura and nylon can micro-scratch the shiny finish of some polished pens. The slots themselves are plush-lined, which is meant to protect them.
Where is the Sinclair Model R made?
In San Francisco. Rickshaw says each case is made by hand, from scratch and to order, in its own sewing shop there.
Sources
- Rickshaw Bagworks: Sinclair Model R (6.75 × 4.25 × 0.75 in, design notes, made to order in San Francisco)
- Rickshaw Bagworks: Pen Sleeve Size Guide (size L: 6.0 × 0.7 in, 152 × 18 mm)
- Gentleman Stationer: Rickshaw Sinclair Model R 3+1 Pen Case, Clouds (6.75 × 4.25 × 0.75 in, made in San Francisco)
- JetPens: Rickshaw Sinclair Model R Pen Case, Cordura Black (pens up to about 6 in and 17 mm, Cordura, plush lining)
- JetPens: Rickshaw Sinclair Model R Pen Case, Kandinsky Blue
- The Well-Appointed Desk: Product Review, Rickshaw x Nock Co. Sinclair Model R (September 2022)
- Gentleman Stationer: First Impressions, Nock Co. x Rickshaw Bagworks Sinclair Model R (September 7, 2022)
- Gentleman Stationer: Nock Co. Sinclair, the practical pen case (2016)
- Fontoplumo: Rickshaw Sinclair Model R, Great Wave (about 17 × 11 × 1.9 cm)
- Goulet Pens: Rickshaw Bagworks Sinclair Model R Case, Arcade Carpet (7.5 × 4.5 × 1.5 in)