Review: The CU13E Machined Pen Storage @ClickyPost @KarasKustoms

Back row: ATELEIA Craft Brass Pen.
Middle row L to R: KarasKustoms Ink, Karas Kustoms Render K (aluminum), Karas Kustoms Bolt (hot pink).
Front row L to R: Karas Kustoms RETRAKT (copper), Tactile Turn Shaker (copper).

THE CUUUUUUUUBE. Since we all have "too many" pens and we all need somewhere good-looking and practical to keep them stored, especially those currently inked ones, THE CUUUUUBE is here. Alright. That's not what it's actually called. See more below. If you don't want to read my review, just pop straight on over to Kickstarter!

Back row: ATELEIA Craft Brass Pen.
Middle row L to R: KarasKustoms Ink, Karas Kustoms Render K (aluminum), Karas Kustoms Bolt (hot pink).
Front row L to R: Karas Kustoms RETRAKT (copper), Tactile Turn Shaker (copper).

ABOUT

Price: $75.00USD
Where to buy: Kickstarter
Size:
The CU13E is a machined aluminum pen stand; a collaboration between Mike Dudek's walnut "Cube" (The Clicky Post) and Karas Kustoms. The CU13E is named as such because it's a block of aluminum with an atomic number of 13. CUBE. CU13E. Pretty kute. ... See what I did there?

APPEARANCE

This CU13E is black, somewhat shiny, and ridiculously cool. It's machined from a solid block of 6061 aluminum, which is important because that makes it sleek and seamless. Each of the nine holds on top have a black Delrin insert (also custom machined). Under the cube, there are four very useful and appropriately-sized rubber feet, along with the CU13E, Karas Kustoms, and Dudek Modern Goods logos engraved. I like that the logos are on the bottom - this way you don't have to make sure the CU13E is always oriented in the proper direction. It's also more mysterious.

Left to right: Lamy 2000 Stainless Steel fountain pen. Karas Kustoms Ink fountain pen. Lamy 2000 Makrolon fountain pen. 

PROS

• The CU13E weighs 1 lb, 14.5 oz, which I absolutely LOVE. It's pretty hard to tip over. I tried. If you knock your pens while they're in it, they're deep in enough and the CU13E is heavy enough that they won't fall out/it won't fall over. 
• The Delrin inserts are smooth so are easy on the pen. Just don't stick your finger in too far. (I know because I tried this.)
• The CU13E itself just looks great. The inserts blend in almost seamlessly with the holes. It's sleek and minimalistic.
• The rubber feet were a great idea - it holds the cube in place.
• The CU13E also makes an excellent paperweight, while holding your pens. 
• Everything looks good in it.

CONS

• No hot pink. ... Yet.
• Well... I'm staring at it and I really can't think of any cons, 
• Don't drop it. It's heavy.  (EDIT: This happened to a certain someone yesterday. He dropped it on his foot, because he drops everything. I inquired whether his foot was ok, then I laughed and told him about the fact that I wrote this very point: don't drop it.)

OVERALL

This is awesome. They are not inexpensive items. That's not to say I don't think they're worth it, but it's $75.00USD for an individual unit. They're very well made and it's very useful. I've been using it to keep my ink review items in it. It makes it easier for me to review and it's a more organized process. Plus I can just wipe the ink splatter off.

A huge thank you to Dan and Mike for making this review possible and for allowing me to keep this awesome unit. Have a look at The CU13E on Kickstarter!

I received this item free of charge for the purposes of this review. I was not compensated monetarily for my review. Everything you've read here is my own opinion.