Defensive "Marker" and Def Pens

[ms6852]

I like it, except for the obvious striker tip base.

The website calls it a tissue evidence point or something like that. Regardless, the striker tip is not really that evident at a glance. you really have to look at it and know what you are looking for. They have a video somewhere where they demonstrate the pen sticking to a fence board and not breaking. But they do sell a kit for 10 bucks where the point is replaced plus extra caps and spring in case you break it. More surprising is with my arthritic hands I like the ergonomic design and the stylus writes very well.

If there is a con to this is that if you are not careful and are not aware of it the cap to the glass breaker will come off. I lost mine but they sell a set of 2 or 2 bucks.

 

[Gordon]

Almost 30 years ago, there was a lot of buzz in some circles about non-magnetic defensive tools, with companies like Mission Knives and Kevin ("Mad Dog") McClung turning out expensive tools in titanium and synthetic materials like G10. In more recent times, tactical pens have become a common offering.

I like low-observability defensive tools, and have long believed in the potential effectiveness of a sturdy pen as an impact tool. The problem with modern tactical pens is they look, well, tactical, or at least, mall ninja. Half the point of using something like a pen for defense is that it doesn't look like a weapon. Something covered in textured ridges, with obvious striking surfaces, looks like it wants to be something other than a pen (or the related "strike bezel" flashlights). I have even wanted to find a maker who would be willing to make G10 or sturdy wooden pens that just looked like pens. The problem then becomes one of cost: almost anything is available if you're willing to pay enough.

At heart, I'm something of a cheapskate. I'm only willing to pay so much for a niche tool like this.

Botach sells tactical and law enforcement gear, and what they carry is frequently sold for the best price. Once upon a time, Botach was not known for good customer care, making ordering from them an iffy proposition, but they seem to have finally straightened that out. I have had no issues with orders from them in the last several years.

Amend 2 is a company that I know as maker of several different gun magazines, including Glock and AR-15 patterns. A few weeks ago, I saw an item Botach is selling at an extremely good price.

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This is a G10 spike housed in a marker body, and as of today, it's selling for only $4.99 plus shipping. It's a common marker size, but does not write. Instead of a felt marker tip, there is a cylindrical spike tip.

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I haven't had the chance to test this yet, but if I do, will probably hang a 20 oz or 1 liter bottle of water from something. If anyone tries this before I do, I strongly suggest not putting your thumb across the spike side, even if capped, while striking, as I would expect the G10 spike to punch through the cap. I would also suggest only carrying something like this where weapons are discouraged, but not illegal: most employers have anti-weapons policies, but it's not actually illegal to have a weapon on the premises.

The large letters on the side may give a clue, but "amend" also seems like something you might do with a marker, so who knows. It does seems to rub off if you wear one of these for a few days.

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This is not a perfect solution. I would prefer a G10 pen with replaceable ink cartridges. It is, however, an extreme bargain for what is is, a strong non-metallic sharp in a low-observability body.

-John

Well, it is something, and thanks for the heads up! I am really a fan of G10 Chopsticks that have a rounded, larger flat handle on them. The technique should be practiced of holding the stick along the handle with the support hand and forcing it into the soft area targeted, then following with a palm strike to the handle head. Like hammering a nail. One strike puts it through a watermelon and you have another if needed with two chopsticks. Ti ones are better but show up brighter on scans.

 

[JShirley]

I do have a set of Ti chopsticks for field use. Do in fact eat with them sometimes.

 

[sgt127]

It's a common marker size, but does not write.

And Therein, lies the problem with a lot of these “disguised” weapons. You have no plausible deniability that you were, indeed intentionally, carrying a weapon if caught with it.

I carry a 16 oz stainless water bottle that would be extremely uncomfortable if one were to bump their head on it. Yet, it’s unquestionably, a water bottle.

Same with my aluminum Embassy Pen. It’s a pen.

I grew up in Hawaii. I eat with chopsticks often. I carry solid titanium chopsticks in non permissible environment's. And, they most assuredly, could be used to stab with. But, they are, first and foremost, an eating utensil. That I can demonstrate, on demand.

Got a set for a dear friend of mine. Who’s a Filipina. Saw her do that cool thing Asian chicks can do with their hair and chopsticks. So, I got her a set.

She will do up her hair and walk through any metal detector. Right past security, with them in her hair.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I have often wanted a pen designed a very specific way. Essentially a Tactile Turn click pen with a cap, where the tip of the pen is countersunk to leave a sharp edge around the rim where the pen tip comes out. The cap would protect the sharpened tip but be very unobtrusive.

 

[EMC45]

Had a buddy give this to me a few years back at work. He bought a couple and gave me one. Maybe eBay or some other site, not sure. Chinese made and decent quality. I put a Fisher ink cartridge in it and it writes well. Kinda clunky and awkward however. I’ve carried a total of about 2-3 times. No mistaking that it’s a purpose driven item though -