Tactical Pens

Very cool John, can't wait to see the results. How ya gonna test 'em? I love these things. I would like to find massive "man" sized one that is heavy as hell. This will be cool man.

Thanks,
Dave

Ideal field test? Give a bunch of 'em to Colorado State University coeds...

I say throw in a non-"tactical" pen. Something like a metal Cross Classic or Townsend.

I've got a steel benchmade. It's so heavy I never forget it after putting it down. So I haven't lost it unlike every other pen. And it's very useful as a can opener and at prying open oysters in the park.

I'm partial to the County Comm "embassy pen" line. I'd call them "semi-tactical" because they were made for the military but were not specifically designed to be weaponized. Rock solid pens that use fisher space pen refills. Downside is unscrewing the lid is hard with one hand, and sometimes it unscrews in your pocket.

I've tried the executive Sharpy and mods to ink pens to swap out the plastic parts. Overall, it hasn't been working in retail. It's another pen that I've got money in, which is commonly borrowed and all too frequently kept. Not loaning it is a serious breach of etiquette, too, which presents sociological flags. It's already hard enough not loaning the clipped knife in my pocket - but I'm not letting a Boker Magnum or SnG walk out the door for someone to pry a fuse or turn a screw with.

Tactical pens that look like they could survive an artillery strike seem to be the fashion, Kershaw had a combo kit this last Xmas. Once I got over the cool factor, I decided they are too high profile and an aberration, like four wheel drive trucks with raptor tooth grilles.

In the spirit of testing, I'd hammer them thru 2x4's, car hoods, or pick up some calf skulls and post the pics. Me, I'd just grab the ink pen I do have and use it on a soft target - but I would also be in such a clueless state that an aggressive predator with ill intent was close at hand, I might not be able to do anything in time.

I'm out shopping, wonder how many I can "borrow" for testing? Hmm. Haven't ever seen anyone with one, might present a difficulty . . .

I like the Schrade Second Generation Tactical Pen. It's large and tough enough for defensive use, has a secure screw cap, doesn't look like a weapon, and is a decent writer.

There's basically two types of tact pens: caps and twist. Caps are good so long as they are secure. Some caps are snap on and fit loosely. Not good while being used hard. Twist pens are okay but need to be twisted tight with the writing tip exposed, otherwise the pen is loose.

The embassy pen is solid, but a little short.

Well, I also tried to find pens someone could actually get away with carrying...since that's the supposed intent!

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Not "tactical"....but ..


http://www.amazon.com/Ballpoint-Pen...1361381003&sr=8-8&keywords=parker+pens+jotter

DH,

Look like quality, but not very grippy.

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I agree but I have small hands,

Icepick grip works for me.

Otherwise I smash them with my Maglite XL50.

I REALLY like the looks of the Rick Hinderer investigator pen, but I'm too cheap to spend that much on a pen.

I had one of countycomm's embassy pens and it was ok. I was a bit to thick for me though.

Here's a Tom Anderson twist pen. I like it but it's a little loose when the tip is retracted.

http://www.amazon.com/Tom-Anderson-TA-93BK-Tactical-Tatical/dp/B004D80VM2/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

This a the Schrade with a cap, albeit a twist cap.

http://www.amazon.com/Tactical-Pen-2nd-Generation-Stainless/dp/B0047LUFTE/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

S&W M&P, this one:

http://shellbacktactical.com/sandwsmithandwessonmandptacticalpenblack-swpenmpbk.aspx

Pointy but not sharp, non-twist lid (friction... that's the one weak point; the friction fit wears down after about a year, and it loosens, but I've solved that with a thin coat of clear nail polish inside the cap), takes Parker (and therefore Fisher Space Pen) refills.

I painted the clip black to cover up the Smith & Wesson part and haven't looked back since.

The Schrade Second Gen and the County Comm Embassy Pen are the most "normal" looking pens that I've found. The Schrade, however, has that pointy end that is not necessary in my opinion. And my steel Embassy Pen is too heavy and a little short.

I wish Schrade would come out with a third generation pen that is the same size as the second gen but with a straight plain barrel.

for those that fly a lot and also carry these tactical pens , what does tsa have to say about them? just curious

I have always thought that the Cross pens were pretty strong and I don't think that tsa would pay much attention to them.

The two or three times I hopped on a plane with mine it was carefully placed into my carry-on bag. I did this knowing it could get confiscated at the discretion of TSA.

I would absolutely expect it to get confiscated if it was on my body or loose in one of the sorting bins...

I have a stainless Benchmade. I like the heft. By the way, it write really nice. It's expensive enough, I never loan it out, so I'll never lose it. Problem is, it's so pretty I'd hate to ever use it, say to break out a car window or some such thing.

Looking forward to your test results!

Geno