Ichiban Kan Gear

Oh yay! A gear post! I haven't done one of these in forever! So, as most online bento-ers know, the Ichiban Kan online store closed recently. Having read that the closing was imminent, I finally made the decision to order some stuff. I had a problem doing this before because their stock (understandably) fluctuated a lot, and I wanted to make one order with everything I wanted. But since they weren't getting anything more in, this was my last chance to order all the stuff, so I just did. (Click on any of the pictures to go to the flickr page, which has notes and a larger view.)

I ordered some cutters in various sizes (2 of the variety packs) and I figure I'll use them sometime. I've got leaves, flowers, clouds, trees, and lots of random shapes like a house and a car. (The silver cutters you see underneath are three different size star-shaped cutters, and aren't from Ichiban Kan.

I also got some nori punches... an apple, a rabbit (I ordered the sakura, but it was out of stock when they went to ship it, so they took off the charge and gave me a free rabbit shape), a large heart, and a large star. I also got a flower-shaped paper punch from the craft store, which works just fine. I always heard people complaining about nori punches, but I'm having absolutely no problems so far.

I bought two bags to carry my bentos around with me, so I don't have to stuff them in my backpack or suitcase or purse. The silver one is actually from Daiso, and only holds the two-tier bento boxes. The green and brown ones are from Ichiban Kan, and they're both big enough to hold 2 normal-sized boxes and a water bottle. They read "Lunch time will make everyone happy" next to a spoon, fork, pitcher, and sugar and salt bowls.

I also bought boxes... ohmigosh, did I buy boxes. Counter-clockwise from bottom left, I've got an onigiri box with a bear on it, two staggered 2-tier boxes, 3 sidecars, 2 normal-sized two-tier boxes, a slightly smaller two-tier box, and a Monokuro Boo box with fork. (That last one is from a friend, not Ichiban Kan, but it's never been on the blog before because it's new.) Below there's a close up of the sidecar (with quarter for size comparison) and an "exploded" view of the onigiri box.

Here's two views of the staggered two-tier box, one "exploded" and one not. Similar to how the lower tier fits in the upper tier when empty with the normal two-tier boxes, the upper layer can be flipped upside down and put into the lower tier when empty. There's a "lip" on the upper tier that prevents it from falling into the lower tier when it's right-side up, as well as a (mostly watertight) lid for the upper tier. The green one is closed with the upper lid flipped, so it can be pretty compact.

I also ordered some stuff not pictured, like 2 sets of chopsticks, a set of sea-themed food picks, and silicon food dividers, but you'll be seeing them in bentos from now on. And lastly, I (finally!) managed to get my hands on some straps to hold the boxes closed!!! I am so excited about that. :)