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iPenBox Subscription Box Review – September 2017

Désirée Eien
ByDésirée EienSep 17, 2017 | 6 comments

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox
4.8 overall rating
4 Ratings | 4 Reviews

iPenBox is a monthly box for the 'pen, paper and ink enthusiast'. Each box contains 5–10 items curated around a theme. 

Reviewed by popular demand!

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

My Subscription Addiction paid for this box. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.)

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

The Subscription Box: iPenBox

The Cost: $30 a month for the US or $40 a month for Canada/International, both with free shipping

The Products: Each box will contain a fountain pen, an ink sample, paper and at least two more items.

Ships to: USA & International

Check out all of our iPenBox reviews and the Paper & Stationery Subscription Box Directory for more writing subscription boxes!

Keep Track of Your Subscriptions: Add iPenBox to your subscription list or wishlist!

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

The theme for September was 'Back 2 School'. A 10% coupon code for the iPenstore shop was included. There was also Smarties candy as an extra treat!

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

Sheaffer VFM Metal Barrel Fountain Pen, Peacock Blue, Medium Nib – Value $14.97

I was excited to see a fountain pen as the main item in the box this month. The beautiful peacock blue is even prettier in person. It takes a standard international cartridge and one was included in the gift box. It was somewhat difficult to install the cartridge – I had to apply more pressure than I usually do with other pens.  I found the ink to be a little too wet and smudgy for my taste, and the nib did drag a little. However, the quality is decent for the price and it's so pretty that I'll forgive its little flaws. 

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

Kyoto Kyo-No-Oto 2ml sample of Fountain Pen Ink, Kokeiro – Value $1.40 ($27.97 for 40ml)

One of my favorite things about iPenBox is that they always send an ink sample. I look forward to trying this ink in a pen, but I didn't have a spare fountain pen to use with it for testing. I loved using it with a brush – it's a nice vibrant green. 

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

Tops Multi Color Index Cards – Value $1.97

These index cards come in five different colors. I've been wanting to try mind mapping with index cards, so I will definitely use these. Of course, they can also be used as flashcards, which fits the school theme. 

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

Miquelrius Mini Sneaker Notepad – Value $2.49

This little notebook has graph paper inside and an attached elastic band to keep it shut. I like graph paper notebooks, so this will come in handy to sketch out ideas. 

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

Uniball Gel Rollerball 207 – Value $1.24 (buy 10 for $12.39 on Amazon)

I'm not a big fan of rollerball pens, but was pleasantly surprised by this one. The ink is a nice deep black and it didn't smudge. 

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

Col Erase Blue Pencil – Value $0.53 (buy 12 for $6.38 on Amazon)

Prismacolor Turquoise 375 Drawing Pencil, 2B – Value $1.19

Mirado Black Warrior #2 Pencil – Value $0.17 (buy 12 for $1.99)

A back-to-school box wouldn't be complete without pencils! The Mirado and Prismacolor Turquoise pencils both had regular 2B lead, but the Prismacolor was much smoother and a little darker. The blue pencil has a special use – cameras and copiers have a hard time picking it up. This means you can use it as a base drawing that you intend to photograph, or make notations on documents you want to scan. However, I found it to be almost too light to see. 

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

Pentel Champ Mechanical Pencils (.5, .7 and .9) – Value $2.22 for three (buy 12 for $8.86 on Amazon)

I love mechanical pencils and like that three different widths were included. Each pencil came pre-filled with one stick of lead. These have a soft grip that is very comfortable to use. 

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

iPenBox Back 2 School September 2017 Writing Subscription Box

Tombow Mono Knock 3.8 Eraser – Value $1.65

This Tombow click eraser goes well with the mechanical pencils. Erasers like this are great for cleaning up precise areas of pencil drawings. 

Verdict: My estimated RV is around $28, which is in the ballpark of the $30 cost. I was surprised at how many different items they managed to fit into such a small box! My favorite items this month are the fountain pen and green ink, though I know I will probably get the most use out of the mechanical pencils and click eraser. All in all, a useful box with a nice variety of items. 

What do you think of September's iPenBox? What were your favorite back-to-school supplies when you were growing up?

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This is for anyone who loves pens, paper and inks. iPenBox is a subscription box for the pen, paper and ink enthusiast, delivering a monthly box of products to your door. Each month this mystery box will be filled with new, unusual, cool and innovative items from the pen, paper and ink world. We tra... read more.
Désirée Eien
Désirée Eien
Désirée has survived the subscription box rollercoaster since 2013. Her other hobbies include meticulously over-researching minor purchases, crafting things she hopes to pass off as gifts, and dressing her cat up in silly costumes.

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6 comments

Beth

I love stationary and pens, so I’ve been eyeing this box. But when I consider subscribing to any box, I look for exciting curation and excellent value. A box needs to have at least one of these characteristics, ideally both. Unfortunately this box seems to hit neither of those targets. I think they would have been better off sending fewer items but focusing on higher quality items. At the least, they definitely need to solidly meet the price subscribers paid!

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Désirée

Check my reviews for Scribe Delivery – their curation is a little more focused and I know they put a lot of thought into sourcing their items internationally.

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Beth

Thanks! I definitely will check that out.

Jody

You can stop reviewing this box now. I am not impressed.

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Désirée

Sometimes figuring out what you don’t want is just as important as figuring out what you do. And with all the boxes out there, it feels nice to cross one off the wishlist once in a while!

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Victoria

-_-

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