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 guess this question would go here like knives?
Tactical Pens
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I have a Chinese cheapo I bought off amazon years ago. It works well as a pen using Parker refills which write really nicely. It's kinda heavy in the shirt pocket, though. Haven't used any of its other features, so I can't really tell you how well they work.
Maddog 521
Member
Since you don't like "tactical"
Check out the Zebra F-701 ball point pen.
It's all stainless steel with knurling down at the grip area.
It looks like a pen, writes like a pen and it's there if you ever need it.
Works for me
Check out the Zebra F-701 ball point pen.
It's all stainless steel with knurling down at the grip area.
It looks like a pen, writes like a pen and it's there if you ever need it.
Works for me
outta_ammo
Member
I have a S&W "tactical" pen. Mostly because it's reasonably indestructible and I like the weight and feel of it. Not because I expect to defend myself with it...
Marketing 101: Paint it black and call it "tactical" and the internet ninjas will buy it and carry it in a chest rig.
Marketing 101: Paint it black and call it "tactical" and the internet ninjas will buy it and carry it in a chest rig.
I carry a Zebra 701 but it's actually a thin steel shell over the same plastic body as the 402. Love the feel of the knurled end. Can use Fisher ink refills. So can any Parker with the adapter that comes with each Fisher.
I have a Gerber Tactical, but, really being all steel, it's too heavy for comfort. The quality of the click mechanism is apparent.
A buddy swears by his Sure Fire pen - but he got his free!!
Erich
Member
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.
"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.
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How about a good sturdy CROSS ball point. Fairly light. Stainless steel. Kind of pointy.
People get all worried about being prosecuted for any little mod to gun or the type of ammo they select. I suggest that a "tactical" pen would be more of problem. Only place you would be taking one is a place you could not have a knife or a gun. Court rooms, Federal building, airports etc. You may well run afoul of the screeners and if you ever did use it you are going to have some explaining to do.
The guy getting on the plane with a Sudoku puzzle book, a few sharp #2 pencils or good mechanical pencil, not so much.
The guy getting on the plane with a Sudoku puzzle book, a few sharp #2 pencils or good mechanical pencil, not so much.
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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.
Good post based on good sense with no attached paranoia.
Excellent advice, something I have done for years. I put a few strong rubber bands in my bag and if I feel the need for a yawara or a kuboton, just grab a copy of the latest Men's Health magazine, roll it tightly, meaning rolling it back and forth until you reached the limit and then use the rubber bands to hold it in place. Now, you have a nearly unbreakable baton that is much more useful for short stick techniques. I am very well-versed in kubaton techniques, but given a choice between different lengths, the rolled up magazine gives you many more options and is more effective.
If your workplace uses those huge rolls of brown paper towels, look at the thick, cardboard core in the middle. I have several of these that I routinely leave in my travel bags. They are very stiff, weigh almost nothing and would not raise an eyebrow at a screening.
"Tactical pen" is simply a marketing term, nothing more. Think of it as that.
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.
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.
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max503
Member
I carried one on a job where I worked with the public and couldn't carry a gun.
My son has on that he carried when he was traveling in eastern Asia and former soviet bloc countries. His did not have a blade, just a solid body that can be used as a puncture device. Can't carry a gun in those places, but you can travel with a pen, and should you find yourself in need of a defensive weapon, this may be better than being a victim.
Sure, "do some push-ups and stretches. Take a reality-based fighting class" but in some instances any weapon is better than none. And, yes, a Cross pen can be a decent alternative too.
Sure, "do some push-ups and stretches. Take a reality-based fighting class" but in some instances any weapon is better than none. And, yes, a Cross pen can be a decent alternative too.
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How about just get fitted up with a set of steel teeth like that villain in the James Bond movie? Put the bite on any bad guys you encounter.
I got stabbed by a pen once (my own pen, to make matters worse, still attached to the clip board). It hurt a bit but did absolutely nothing to incapacitate me. I'm sure a tactical pen would've punctured a little more, but the end result would have been the same.
They're goofy gimmicks that might hurt a bit with some force behind them, but if you're capable of making that force you're also capable of doing the work with your hands, and then you don't need to go through life with everyone rolling their eyes when they see you're carrying a tactical pen.
In no particular order, looking around my office at things I could take onto an airplane or other secure environment that would make better improvised weapons I see my stupid heavy work laptop, my metal water bottle (full of course), a rock, a big coffee mug, a belt with a heavy buckle, one of those dumb crystal award dealies, a sturdy travel fishing rod, and I'm sure there are more before it just gets silly.
They're goofy gimmicks that might hurt a bit with some force behind them, but if you're capable of making that force you're also capable of doing the work with your hands, and then you don't need to go through life with everyone rolling their eyes when they see you're carrying a tactical pen.
In no particular order, looking around my office at things I could take onto an airplane or other secure environment that would make better improvised weapons I see my stupid heavy work laptop, my metal water bottle (full of course), a rock, a big coffee mug, a belt with a heavy buckle, one of those dumb crystal award dealies, a sturdy travel fishing rod, and I'm sure there are more before it just gets silly.
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.
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.
That's where I took exception to Erich's semi-rant. At a certain age you just don't have the physical ability you used to have. Worse, many people, in particular small statured, light framed women may never have it in sufficient quantity, absent years of martial arts training.
In those cases carrying a metal pen can be an equalizer.
As noted on my post above, carrying something that looks or is called "tactical" is less likely to "fly" as time goes on and rules get drawn ever tighter, so it pays to be smart and select pens that don't look like offensive or even defensive weapons.
If you have any doubts, don't spend loads of money on them, pack a few in your checked bag so you'll have one at your destination, and carry a pre addressed stamped envelope to mail one home to yourself if the TSA agent you encounter decides your pen is a weapon.
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