Tactical Pens

[Marshal Tom]

I just bring my wife along, problem solved!

 

[Narragansett]

Erich's not entirely wrong rant aside, there are some valid reasons to carry a metal pen.

I carry a pen in my back pocket and the only pens I haven't eventually broken doing that have been so called "tactical" pens. I've carried regular aluminum pens and still managed to break either the ball (very messy) or managed to break the retraction mechanism.

I carry one of a couple of aluminum pens that I own.

The first is a pen made by CRKT that I frankly carry because it is just a really nice pen that feels good in the hand, with a cap to protect the ball and very solid construction that you won't break without using tools or a cutting torch.

It also looks stylish and non threatening. It never looked out of place with a suit and tie or in any conference room I ever took it into. I've also taken it on aircraft, and into county, state and federal buildings all over the country and no one has ever batted an eye or told me I could not take it in, unless pens in general were prohibited items.

It was designed by William Vass in North Carolina and it's only weak point in a TSA discussion is that CRKT added the word "defense" and started calling it the "Williams Defense Pen". More on why that might matter later…

The second is a pen made by Benchmade. It's expensive but very well made and it does have a very sharp carbide tip intended as a glass breaker, that also does double duty as a scribe. In contrast to CRKT, Benchmade got smart and now just calls it their "1100 series pen" instead of the "1100 series tactical pen", although that latter term still shows up in the web address file structure (they need to update that). Again, more on why that might matter later.

Do you need a carbide glass breaker? No more than you probably need a handgun or a parachute, but like both of those items if you ever need one it's very handy to have. For example, if you had to extricate a kid from a hot car, or if you live in a jurisdiction where it is legal to break a window to remove a pet left in a hot car, it's a quick, easy and safe way to break a side window on a car.

I regard both of these pens as practical tools, that are hard to break. I don't regard them as offensive of even defensive weapons, although that could be a tertiary use, as is the case with any metal pen, like a Cross or Parker pen.

Now…let's talk about traveling with them and in particular with TSA.

Despite the "defense" in the name (which I wish CRKT would remove), the pen isn't really any more dangerous or offensive than a metal Cross or Parker pen.

TSA however has fairly recently come out and stated that tactical pens are not allowed in carry on baggage as they are designed as weapons.

I seems to be bit inconsistent on the face of it, as knitting needles are sharper and are legal to carry on a plane at any length, while a Philips screw driver is much more sturdy and can be driven with much more force than a "tactical" pen, but like other tools it is legal to carry on the plane provided it is no more than 7" in length.

The difference, from TSAs perspective, isn't in the tool, but rather in the intent of the design and be extension the intent of the person carrying it. TSA isn't worried about little old ladies with knitting needles, or even big burly auto mechanics with screw drivers. They are however concerned about tactical wannabe types who feel the need to carry a "tactical" pen.

Those same folks also seem to like carrying "tactical" flash lights with things like "DNA collectors" on them. Eventually they'll manage to get "tactical" flash lights banned as well just as they did "tactical" pens.

——

So where does this leave us with things like a CRKT aluminum pen or a Benchmade 11 series aluminum pen?

A lot of it comes down to intent. If you are carrying it as a tactical pen for self defense it's prohibited. Period.

For example, if you submit a picture of your regular Cross or Parker pen to TSA and then get stupid and ask if you can carry your Parker "tactical" pen on board, the use of the word "tactical"will get you an automatic "no" response. If you intend to carry it as a weapon, it's a weapon. Period.

Conversely, if you ask TSA if you can carry your pen on a plane and submit a picture, you are far more likely to get a "yes" if it doesn't look like a tactical pen, or say "Smith and Wesson", etc.

Presentation also matters. The CRKT pen is not as likely to set off TSA screener alarm bells, but carrying it with the cap off and on the other end makes it look even less innocuous. Since the final authority is the person doing the screening, how it looks matters.

The Benchmade pen looks less threatening as well with the carbide tip covered, but it still has that knurled grip, blood grooved tactical pen styling that can easily get it classified as a "tactical" pen in the eyes of the screener, regardless of what Benchmade calls it.

It isn't entirely fair but you will also have better luck getting either of them through TSA if you are dressed like a non threatening human. If you insist on traveling in tactical pocketed pants and a "punisher" logo tee shirt your odds go way down. Add a tactical ball cap and a wannabe operator beard and you are almost certainly not getting on the plane with that pen in your carryon.

Thank you for your detailed response and information

 

[Narragansett]

I think this is more suited to the CC/SD section, so I'll move it for you.

I've collected pens for a long time, but my preference is fountain pens and rollerballs. I do have a first model Surefire (EWP-01), but I almost never carry it. It's big and heavy and not really my style. If you're looking for a "tactical" pen, you could do worse.

One really nice feature is the adjustable chamber. Turning a threaded insert under the glass breaker cap changes the internal length and allows you to use most any ballpoint/rollerball refill that you like. I wish more pen manufacturers had designs like this, but I'm sure they don't want to give up the revenue from their proprietary refills.

Thanks for moving the post

 

[sipowicz]

Since today's pencils use graphite, I carry an old school lead pencil from the 50s. Hopefully, if I ever need to use it on someone they will eventually develop lead poisoning and curse me from their death bed years after the encounter.

 

[Narragansett]

Well, this post got varied responses. Everything from humor to taking physical fitness classes. I never indicated that I was seeking such a device, but was more wondering what other people thought of them.

My comment about hating the word tactical is that it now covers everything from sunglasses to fishing rods to underwear.

 

[LCC]

Of late I've been wearing tactical underwear, and so far no one has messed with me.

 

[BE Mike]

John Wick killed a man with a pencil! 8^)

 

[smithra_66]

First off, I hate the word tactical, but does anybody use, carry or recommend a tactical pen?

I guess this question would go here like knives?

Hinderer Investigator, in either steel (pants pocket carry with clip) or aluminum (shirt pocket carry with clip..it's lighter).

Carry one every day. Great pen.

 

[Buford57]

Lord, just roll up a magazine, get in shape and pay attention to what's going on around you.

"Tactical pens" make me want to vomit.

And, as a former prosecutor, I can tell you that no one is going to be fooled by a something marketed something to idiots as a weapon. ("Oh! That's a pen, not a weapon! Go right ahead, my good man!") It's not going in, and you may find yourself in trouble. You're not going to take a "tactical pen" into a courthouse, jetway or prison. But I've had aluminum Sharpies in all three places - as recently as last week.

Seriously, do some push-ups and stretches. Take a reality-based fighting class. Leave the faux weapons to people who read "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" as an instruction manual.

Don't hold back, Erich. Tell us how you really feel.

 

[diyj98]

I carry a quill and ink well. It's gives me a refined look that chicks dig and the point is surprisingly sharp. If I can't fight my way out of trouble with the point, I can tickle my way out with the feather end.

On a serious note, I've seen articles recommending a Parker Jotter as a pen that can be used as a weapon in a pinch, but doesn't scream mall ninja and won't get confiscated.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Erich's rant is the rant of a prosecutor whereas BJ57's response is far better thought out and reasonable.

However, there are some places where they will not let you pass if the metal detector sees a so-called tactical pen and I have had one seized by the TSA at an airport. That was maybe the tenth time I carried it in my carry on bag but a TSA inspector took great umbrage, called it a "kubaton" and a weapon not permitted on the plane. Okay, fine.

How about my all aluminum "Rotring 600"? Now THAT's a PEN!!!


Link deleted - it didn't work. So I solved the problem another way:

Rotring 600 - these pens were discontinued by Rotring, later copied by a Japanese company as I recollect (whilst the originals were going for hundreds of dollars on eBay) and perhaps Rotring is making them again because the link above that apparently doesn't work is to an online pen store selling these pens for the original type prices and I cannot tell if it's a genuine Rotring or not but is it tactical/usable as a weapon? You decide.

 

[Buford57]

I recall being trained to confiscate any of the old style Bic pens with the clear plastic barrel during a pat-down along with guns, knives, knuckles, nunchucks and razor blades since the pens could penetrate a ballistic vest. That was over 40 years ago and both pens and vests are of different quality now. All the same, when I was flying there was usually one or two Pentel RSVP pens in my pocket and/or carry on.

 

[Erich]

Erich just wants to point out that Erich didn't say "Don't carry a metal pen" - Erich actually said that an aluminum Sharpie would work. Erich rolls his eyes at the marketing of "tactical" to people who appear to think merely possessing a weapon is a talisman against evil succeeding.

And Erich was a defense lawyer for a LOT longer than he was a prosecutor.

 

[sipowicz]

Erich just wants to point out that Erich didn't say "Don't carry a metal pen" - Erich actually said that an aluminum Sharpie would work. Erich rolls his eyes at the marketing of "tactical" to people who appear to think merely possessing a weapon is a talisman against evil succeeding.

And Erich was a defense lawyer for a LOT longer than he was a prosecutor.

Erich, I didn't know you know Erich.

 

[Eric300]

If you're going to stab someone in the eye with a writing utensil, do it with some class and use a Mont Blanc.

 

[Narragansett]

If you're going to stab someone in the eye with a writing utensil, do it with some class and use a Mont Blanc.

Those I have.

 

[JJEH]

First off, I hate the word tactical, but does anybody use, carry or recommend a tactical pen?

I guess this question would go here like knives?

I've had several because I really wanted to find a true EDC pen that can be used as a weapon.

First off, in the hands of a warrior everything becomes a weapon, so there's no need to look for the ultimate super mega fighting tool since all you'll do in the process is waste a lot of money.

Many are heavy, bulky and some need to be manipulated before usage. I gave most of them away.

With that being said, I did find a true EDC pen. What makes it tactical? I don't know, probably the material.

Anyway, I went with the Darrel Ralph Go Pen. It's a titanium made pen, made in the USA and accepts "Rite in the Rain" refills.

The MAP is $110 but it's a pen you really buy once and can carry all day. No frills, just a sturdy construction with a good feel to it.

Edit: I forgot to mention that Darrel Ralph Jr. has passed away in November 2021. I don't know if his son continues the business.

 

[BB57]

Erich's rant is the rant of a prosecutor whereas BJ57's response is far better thought out and reasonable.

However, there are some places where they will not let you pass if the metal detector sees a so-called tactical pen and I have had one seized by the TSA at an airport. That was maybe the tenth time I carried it in my carry on bag but a TSA inspector took great umbrage, called it a "kubaton" and a weapon not permitted on the plane. Okay, fine.

How about my all aluminum "Rotring 600"? Now THAT's a PEN!!!


Link deleted - it didn't work. So I solved the problem another way:

Rotring 600 - these pens were discontinued by Rotring, later copied by a Japanese company as I recollect (whilst the originals were going for hundreds of dollars on eBay) and perhaps Rotring is making them again because the link above that apparently doesn't work is to an online pen store selling these pens for the original type prices and I cannot tell if it's a genuine Rotring or not but is it tactical/usable as a weapon? You decide.

I used to fly commercial a lot and I was always impressed with two traits TSA demonstrated on a regular basis:

- TSA as an organization is wonderfully ignorant of its own policies, which are also moving targets. Those two things create a feed back loop that ensures that the screener at the airport has no clue whether a particular item is legal or not.

- TSA covers that contingency by designating the person at the checkpoint as the final authority on whether something is legal or not. It's a lot of power for a high school educated person making not much more than minimum wage, who probably isn't very skilled at making good decisions, using a good problem solving model.

Those two things ensure a wonderful degree of arbitrary and capricious enforcement regarding TSA regulations.

I have similarly traveled for multiple flights with an item that is suddenly determined to be prohibited based on an interpretation by a single TSA agent.

For example, my wife and I are cave divers and fly around the US and to foreign countries to dive. We carry the really spendy bits like canister lights with 4 digit price tags and rebreathers with 5 digit price tags as carry on luggage to ensure they don't disappear.

I was greatly relieved when hand held light technology became sufficient to let us retire our corded canister lights as on more than once occasion, a screener determined they were potential weapons as the heavy canister could be swung by the cord and light head. In those cases I had to pull out the written paperwork from TSA confirming those lights were allowable in carry on luggage and in one case I had to get a supervisor involved to get the initial screener to back down. Even then the supervisor didn't have to back his screener off. The fact that we were calm, polite and well prepared probably went a long way toward getting them through the checkpoint.

We still however have to deal with closed circuit rebreathers that have wires, electronics and bomb shaped bits….

It really helps if you put in the time to send pictures and descriptions of odd items to TSA in advance and have paperwork form someone in TSA saying it's "ok". It also helps if you have information from the manufacturer confirming what the device is, what it does and their own approval received from TSA.

——-

Unfortunately pens are one of those gray areas where a screener can just say it's "prohibited because I say so" when the mood strikes them. The sad fact is that what we have in th US isn't air safety and security but rather security theater.

 

[Bucher33]

My son bought me one of those pens that look like a .30-06 round. Copper and brass colored, rather heavy made of metal.
What surprised me was the case it came in. Had it's own little replica hard sided gun case. I think I like the case more.

 

[GaryS]

Don't try to carry it on a plane.

Seriously, the Texas State Surplus Store in Austin has bins of TSA confiscated knives, Leatherman tools, Wrenches, and... tactical pens. Can't carry them or have them in your carry on.

They also have bin full of ammunition magazines. Can't carry them either.