Review: Galen Leather Wooden Sketchbox

Wooden clipboard with paper. On it is written Review, Galen Leather Co. Sketchbox — Galen Clipboard

Disclosure: I received this item in exchange for a candid review.

As a longtime admirer of Galen Leather’s handmade leather goods and desk accessories, I jumped at the chance to experience one of them hands on. Meet the handsome Wooden Sketchbox.

Top view Galen Leather wooden sketchbox showing wood grain.

The Wooden Sketchbox is made of walnut and features a 1920’s inspired brass clip which operates by loosening and tightening two screws. The clips’s little hands are a charming touch.

Sketchbox with drawer removed to show divider. Reeves the studio cat is sitting next to it.

This is no ordinary clipboard. It has a drawer with a movable divider!

Side view of sketchbox showing rotating metal tab to hold in drawer.

Other side of sketchbox with a finger sized hole to push the drawer out.

The drawer is held closed by a metal tab and easily slides out with the push of a finger.

Sketchbox with drawer pulled out. Drawer holds a variety of art supplies.

The drawer is perfect for holding an assortment of supplies. Pictured here is a tin of colored pencils, Blackwing pencil, Sailor fountain pen, Moleskin pocket watercolor album, and a travel tin of watercolors. I like that the divider is removable and can be customized to the contents.

Specs:

Box size - 13.77" x 10.23" x 1.77" (35cm x 26cm x 4.5cm)

Inner drawer dimensions - 11.61" x 8.55" x 0.98" (29.5cm x 22.5cm x 2.5cm)

Weight - 3.5lbs (1.6kg)

Close-up of clip. There is a black smudge on the watercolor paper left by the clip.

Drawer of sketchbox hangs slightly askew when closed because there’s no tab along the bottom edge.

Nitpicks:

The vintage look of the screw tension brass clip is lovely, but it can leave smudges on cotton watercolor papers. Perhaps this could be remedied with white or clear bumpers under the clip instead of black.

While the screw tension was a fun novelty at first, I think a traditional spring clip would be more versatile for my purposes. I like to use clipboards to hold open sketchbooks and this clip is better suited to individual sheets of paper.

The drawer is held closed with only one tab. When the sketchbox is carried around the drawer hangs out a little. A second tab would remedy this and provide extra stability, especially when the drawer is full.

The sketchbox arrived with slight cosmetic damage. A little extra cushioning would better protect Galen’s exquisite creations during shipment.

Studio cat Reeves paws at a fountain pen and pencil.

Reeves photo bombs an overhead shot of the sketchbox. She’s looking right at the camera.

Final thoughts:

My absolute favorite part of the sketchbox is the drawer. Mischievous monsters have a habit of running off with all manner of writing implements and paintbrushes. With my supplies safely tucked away I don’t have to hunt for them when inspiration strikes.

Galen Leather has an eye for detail and is clearly committed to fashioning high quality handmade goods. I look forward to adding more of their handsome handiwork to my studio.

Get your own super special Galen Leather Wooden Sketchbox here!