I'm looking for a reasonably-priced, durable Tactical pen. The glass breaker would be nice, but the lights, whistles, etc. do not appeal.
Looking at the Tuff Writer and CRKT lines...they are marvelous, but..the price is a bit spendy.
Does anybody know if there a U.S. manufacturer that offers a "good enough" pen... which will be used more for writing than defense...say in the ~ $30 or below range?
Thanx!

I'd prefer something less tactical like a Parker Jotter. It's far less likely to be confiscated at an airport or government building than one of the pens that just screams "tactical". A heck of a lot cheaper as well.

I get an email at least once a week from some bunch "THE AMERICAN PATRIOT" wanting to send me some free gift. Sometimes a tactical pen or some other tool or flashlight. Never even thought about it but next time I get one of those ads I'll try to find this post and relay you the information.

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Expert at not being an Expert.

It's the "US Made" that makes this an impossible task.

I was given a "tactical" pen a couple of Christmases ago and I use it every day. I'm sure it cost $10 or less. I'm also sure it was bought off ebay from some Asian seller. It works great and I doubt the expensive ones will perform any better.

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Freedom isn't free.

The Benchmade about $100
The Boker abut $40 to $45
The S&W about $14
one of the S&W has a flashlight on the end.

Attached Images

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It's not made in the US, and it's not a "tactical" pen, but the Zebra F701 is a very sturdy pen, made from thick-walled stainless steel. I've been using them for several years. I like sturdy pens, and I think they write well. Plus, you can get them in just about any office supply store for less than $10.

I know it doesn't meet your criteria, but it may be worth checking out.

You can also get through TSA with the Zebra F701, I keep several for travelling.

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Blaine
SWCA 3490 SWHF 586

I own and use the top two daily. Hardest part is finding a refill that works . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

I've been a member of my credit union for 40 years. They always have a cup full of good Bic pens on the counter for members' use. I haven't bought a pen, tactical or otherwise, for 40 years.

My wife especially likes the nice retractable pens sent to us by our insurance agent every year. I don't think she has bought a pen for years.

We're just not cool people, I guess.

You're not alone. Free pens are one of life's guilty pleasures.

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642-1, M&P15 TS

While tactical pens might be a formidable weapon to those properly trained in how to use them, I highly doubt many here are. Personally and for most of us, a cheap Jotter would work as good or not as good (depending on your level of expertise) as a $100 tactical pen.

A great tool that can be used for many purposes is a Starrett #18C Automatic Center Punch. It has a knurled handle which helps hands from slipping, a hardened steel sharp point, it can be used for breaking tempered car windows instantly, can CERTAINLY be used as a weapon just like a "tactical pen" and costs about $20 - 30 bucks used on ebay. It's AMERICAN made and can also of course be used for its intended purpose of making Center Punch holes for drilling.

I use the Fisher Space Pen model "Police Pro".

I think it was less than $30 and it works great.

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Un-Reconstructed Southerner

I feel sorry for both of you. I carry a basic cross pen with "Fisher Space" refills. Truly a genuine pleasure.

I bought a Chinese "tactical" pen from amazon. Less than $3 including shipping from China. Didn't need it, but for $3 I thought why not. Took nearly a month to arrive. It's a nice pen. The ink cartridge didn't last long, but it uses Parker refills which are available at any office supply (or cheaply from amazon). It's a decent pen and well worth what I paid for it. The NRA tactical pen that's $30 looks to be the same exact pen with an added logo.

Amazon.com : JASSINS Tactical Pen First Line Defensive Tool : Office Products
'

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Or something like that . . .

Pro tip, you want a weapon to defend yourself while flying? Wear a belt with a good buckle.

I will give you a police officer/armed citizen perspective…

First off, I have owned both the Precision Press and the Operator pens, both purchased directly from the manufacturer at a past NRA show.the quality is superb, and if you truly want the finest example of the so-called "tactical pen", these folks are it. Plus, you could not ask to deal with a nicer family.

Here are a couple of considerations for you… First off, a lot of these pens are simply heavy, and if you are going to wear them in the placket of a polo shirt, they do have a bit of bulk. Second of all, if you think you are going to carry them through a security checkpoint, especially with a metal detector, think again. While there are many stories of individuals who routinely carry these things through TSA checkpoints, onto airplanes and such, they were fortunate, but I can tell you that I have known several individuals who had their relatively high dollar pen taken from them.

A tactical pen is an impact weapon, and that is exactly how you deploy it. The concept is a robust kuboton-type implement that is used against the face and bony prominences. this is a hit them in the face and run kind of implement, and if you are thinking it is anything more than that, you need to look a bit deeper into the concept.

Start here… This man is superb at his craft and quite practical. He is demonstrating with the Tuff Writer Operator.


As a police officer, I routinely carry one of the zebra number 701 pens. These are inexpensive and adequately strong should they ever actually have to be employed. However, in my world of patrol, if I am ever to the point I am reaching for a pen to defend myself, things are probably really bad…

If you are truly looking at this concept as a way to have some form of self-defense, here is my suggestion...

Go here and buy several of these.

Alpha Innovations LLC - Products - Stylus Kubaton

Then, you will have the same concept as the "tactical pen", deployed exactly the same way and given its construction, it will easily pass through any metal detector and has passed through many a TSA checkpoint. I simply put it in my carry-on bag with the rest of my ink pens and highlighters, it has never been questioned.

And, they are five dollars each...

Again, remember that these are deployed either from the chest, meaning they are stuck inside of your shirt placket, or they are deployed from the pocket. If you are going to carry one of these, you need to practice laying your palm on the pointed end to make the other side stand up so that you can get your thumb beneath it to quickly deploy it.

I do think they have their place, but a bit limited, and you need to understand that if you ever do deploy something like this, it needs to be done at lightning speed because you will likely only get one chance.

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Benefactor Member, NRA

I have a S&W pen. It's good for what I needed at the time. I don't plan on going Jason Bourne with it. TSA isn't an issue as I won't fly anymore.

Instead of carrying a pen I carry a key fob that is woven nylon rope with a ball bearing in the middle of it and woven into it !!

Would knock someone out if hit in the head with it have a CUB's key chain attached to it making it about 8 inches long .. easy to hang on to .. haven't flown with it but wonder if it would pass thru ??

They are great pens and you bet it could put a hurtin on somebody. "What's that?"...just my pen, Check one out