Tactical pen

[stinger 327]

Anyone here own one of these? I don't have a pic. but it's actually a pen that writes and you can use the point of it for striking or breaking glass. It's made out of some type of lightweight metal. Smith & Wesson makes a orange/yellow color one. There is another brand not so obvious as on the clip it has the name on the pen. The one that has Smith & Wesson on it is not for the discrete and the color is very flashy.
This comes with a DVD training disk on how to use this.

 

[mptrimshop]

might want to ask the guy at the mall workin security

 

[stinger 327]

Here is a pic of it. There are two brands Smith & Wesson and Schrade?

 

[Cosmoline]

I picked up one of the stainless Benchmade models. Very tough. I've used it against a can of coconut milk to great effect when the ordinary can opener failed. It will easily bust through glass in a fire or to get out of an auto, so it has some more practical uses. Not sure how useful it would be in a fight.

 

[stinger 327]

I picked up one of the stainless Benchmade models. Very tough. I've used it against a can of coconut milk to great effect when the ordinary can opener failed. It will easily bust through glass in a fire or to get out of an auto, so it has some more practical uses. Not sure how useful it would be in a fight.

I'm sure since it's a Benchmade it is of the upmost quality but the price is very costly with these other brands available.

 

[pikid89]

i may be mistaken but i think surefire has one too

 

[glistam]

I note while many are useful, they are also rather pricey for what you get. Many cheaper models of pen are metal and made just as sturdy. Also, the fact that they look tactical is kind of a disadvantage.

You can do just as much damage with this ($38):

Or this (free at trade show):

 

[hso]

I have grown to cringe any time I see the word "tactical" and especially so with pens.

We've had several threads either dedicated to pens that can be used for self defense purposes and those that are designed to be used for s-d purposes or that include them in the discussion of improvised/adapted self defense tools.

There's a universe of pens from the old yellow Bic pens to Cross or Zebra metal pens to the new generation of aluminum pens that are specifically built to enhance their self-defense use. Before the new batch of s-d pens came about we discussed the commercially available pens that could serve like the Rotrings. Using a pen as an improvised spike has been discussed for years. New generation of "tactical" pens are now designed to act as impact tools as well (much like the miniMag MagLite flashlights were intended to serve as kubatons).

I've carried the Timberline pen since it came out. It's been back and forth to Kuwait and around the US. I've had 2 taken by the Kuwaiti airport security at the last checkpoint when the alert levels were high due the shoe and underwear bombers. In both cases the security guards identified the pen and said I had to discard it because "You could kill somebody with this". At no time have they questioned the large Sharpie markers in my laptop case or my "normal" ball point pens.

Keep in mind the "meaner" a self defense tool is the more likely it will be assumed to be a weapon. It doesn't do you much good if it's taken away by security and you find yourself with one less tool to use.

 

[Gunfighter123]

I have grown to cringe any time I see the word "tactical"

In both cases the security guards identified the pen and said I had to discard it

Keep in mind the "meaner" a self defense tool is the more likely it will be assumed to be a weapon. It doesn't do you much good if it's taken away by security and you find yourself with one less tool to use.

HSO = the voice of logic

 

[Sox]

Oh, gosh time for my confession. I have never collected anything before-except guns. Now my wife gets nervous anytime she hears the UPS truck pull up. I am like a trained rat I tell you.

So, I unfortunately have started a collection of "tactical" pens. I have about 40 I think. These include those marketed as such and those that would work as such like a stainless sharpie, or a Rotring 600, etc.

Here's the lowdown. The benchmade stainless is the heaviest of the lot. The "mosquito tactical" by fusion gear is the only one I would recommend against getting - it is MASSIVE almost like a small bat, really on the silly side. The mosquito guys went crazy, I don't know though maybe those guys in Australia are really big. Point is this:

1. Get one that doesn't scream weapon or Paul Blart-mall cop.
2. Don't spend more that 40.00
3. I think the best of the lot is the one in "glistam" thread for $38 by county comm. It was actually a govt contract iirc. It is functionally a pen, doesn't look like a weapon, looks like a kubotan, and is sturdy!

One day I will post a pic of the collection, most embarassing though when I think about it.
Dave

 

[hso]

C'mon Sox. You have to take a "group photo" of all those pens and post it.

 

[glistam]

Here's the link for the "Embassy Pen" that I posted the pic of:
http://www.countycomm.com/PEN.htm

Buy if you want it, they sell wicked fast.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Nice but my Zebra or Cross have been battle tested over the years by the pros so I trust them to write and kill if need be.

 

[Phydeaux642]

Thanks a lot. I just ordered one of the Embassy pens and while I was ther I ordered one of the AAA Maratac flashlights. Like I need to spend more money.:banghead:

 

[stinger 327]

Oh, gosh time for my confession. I have never collected anything before-except guns. Now my wife gets nervous anytime she hears the UPS truck pull up. I am like a trained rat I tell you.

So, I unfortunately have started a collection of "tactical" pens. I have about 40 I think. These include those marketed as such and those that would work as such like a stainless sharpie, or a Rotring 600, etc.

Here's the lowdown. The benchmade stainless is the heaviest of the lot. The "mosquito tactical" by fusion gear is the only one I would recommend against getting - it is MASSIVE almost like a small bat, really on the silly side. The mosquito guys went crazy, I don't know though maybe those guys in Australia are really big. Point is this:

1. Get one that doesn't scream weapon or Paul Blart-mall cop.
2. Don't spend more that 40.00
3. I think the best of the lot is the one in "glistam" thread for $38 by county comm. It was actually a govt contract iirc. It is functionally a pen, doesn't look like a weapon, looks like a kubotan, and is sturdy!

One day I will post a pic of the collection, most embarassing though when I think about it.
Dave

That would be interesting I mean people post their diecast car collections.
Bali-song butterfly knives
Fishing lures
So why not tactical pens. I didn't know they had this many.

 

[stinger 327]

I have grown to cringe any time I see the word "tactical" and especially so with pens.

We've had several threads either dedicated to pens that can be used for self defense purposes and those that are designed to be used for s-d purposes or that include them in the discussion of improvised/adapted self defense tools.

There's a universe of pens from the old yellow Bic pens to Cross or Zebra metal pens to the new generation of aluminum pens that are specifically built to enhance their self-defense use. Before the new batch of s-d pens came about we discussed the commercially available pens that could serve like the Rotrings. Using a pen as an improvised spike has been discussed for years. New generation of "tactical" pens are now designed to act as impact tools as well (much like the miniMag MagLite flashlights were intended to serve as kubatons).

I've carried the Timberline pen since it came out. It's been back and forth to Kuwait and around the US. I've had 2 taken by the Kuwaiti airport security at the last checkpoint when the alert levels were high due the shoe and underwear bombers. In both cases the security guards identified the pen and said I had to discard it because "You could kill somebody with this". At no time have they questioned the large Sharpie markers in my laptop case or my "normal" ball point pens.

Keep in mind the "meaner" a self defense tool is the more likely it will be assumed to be a weapon. It doesn't do you much good if it's taken away by security and you find yourself with one less tool to use.

Smith and Wesson have some nice looking ones a gold one that just attracts too much attention. That's a nice one to display at a booth to get business or attention. The problem I don't like about the Smith & Wesson one is that on the clip it says in plain view "Smith & Wesson" now is that advertising or what? It does have a very sharp point. Priced at $22 is a good price. I have seen them at gun shows for $40.00 each that comes with a DVD on how to use it. I would rather just pay the $22.00 or buy 2 of them instead of a DVD and the pen.
Schrade is another one which is more discret than the Smith & Wesson as it just says Schrade on the clip. They are not at pointed as the Smith & Wesson but they look normal and not as threatening. Black would be the color to get or green or gray as they have some other beautiful colors like blue but they just attract too much attention just like a fishing lure is to a fish. Now these cost 22.00 on the internet but I saw a vendor selling one at a gun show with DVD for $40.00

 

[stinger 327]

Here's the link for the "Embassy Pen" that I posted the pic of:
http://www.countycomm.com/PEN.htm

Buy if you want it, they sell wicked fast.

Are they still available? It looks like an ordinary pen not that sharp pointed at all from what I see. The Schrade might be a better buy at $22.00

 

[stinger 327]

I note while many are useful, they are also rather pricey for what you get. Many cheaper models of pen are metal and made just as sturdy. Also, the fact that they look tactical is kind of a disadvantage.

You can do just as much damage with this ($38):

Or this (free at trade show):
View attachment 472501

What's the catch with the second pen it just looks like a pen? The first one looks like it means more business.

 

[glistam]

Stinger, yes they should still be available from County Comm. The fact that it looks like an ordinary pen is exactly the point: HSO and others as well mention that some TSA and other security people now recognized tactical pens and will confiscate them as weapons. The embassy pen is rounded at both ends, which while making is less stabby, also makes it comfortable for pocket carry and less aggressive looking. However, if you take the cap off, it is perfectly usable as a spike. The pen body (minus cap and ink) is only two parts, made by milling for solid rods of metal. With the cap on, it works as a yawara just fine, especially with the grips.

The second pen is just an ordinary writing pen, but it is all metal. It was really just a stroke of luck that I found how sturdy it is. Of all my writing pens I had over the years, this one kept up and has lasted forever. The photo doesn't quite show this, but it tapers gradually from left to right, end to end. Makes a great spike.

 

[Carl Levitian]

Twice very recently, I had to make an appearence in court here in Maryland. Going through the airport type of security, my old Cross pen was looked at by a guard. I've had that pen for a bit over 40 years, the chrome is half worn off leaving it a bit brassy looking, and it's a little dented up from 10 years in the army engineers. He asked if it wrote, and I told him to try it. Of course it wrote.

The point is, that was the first time I had that anyone ever gave my pen a second look. They always x-ray my cane, but never before looked carefully at the stuff I put in the plastic tray to go through x-ray while I walk through the metal decector gate thing.

I think security guys all over are getting pretty wise to the tactical pen thing. Be careful out there.

 

[hso]

I guarantee that security personnel are looking at pens. Part of the problem is manufacturers pushing the design over the top to make them "scream" weapon for these pens when it serves absolutely no defensive purpose. Much like fishing lures are mostly made to catch fishermen instead of fish, most of the dramatic looking "tactical pens" are made to catch customers.

A pen is going to either be a spike for stabbing or, like a kubaton, an impact/pressure point tool. Neither use requires the thing to look like a Klingon marital aid, but to get consumers to purchase them companies trying to differentiate them from "just another pen" have gone over the top so they can charge a bunch of bucks for what is essentially a pretty simple tool.

For those of you who want, you can purchase pen part, bodies, clips, cartridges, and build your own.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I have the SureFire pen.

I got it for free from the SureFire rep thank God.

It is well built and has a high quality insert.

Could very easily be used to put someone or something permanently out of comission.

With training.

 

[bikerdoc]

Like Carl I got a couple of Cross Pens. One since High school graduation (66) Too thin for my limited hands now.
Since I am too cheap, and refuse to buy anything labeled tactical, I carry whatever I get free from where ever. Bic sticks work well, and I scored a fistful of fat metal pens with various drug names on them from a Pharmacitical Rep recently.

 

[Kingcreek]

Over 35 years ago I was working as bartender at night and a starving college student by day. I witnessed a jealous woman drive a plain ol clear Bic pen into her significant other's right trapezius at the base of his neck. It penetrated almost 3" from the overhand plunge and it didn't even phase him. I suggested he not try to remove it and go to the nearest ER post-haste but he just reached up and pulled it out with his left hand, finished his drink and left. I'll stick with my old cross pen.

 

[stinger 327]

I guarantee that security personnel are looking at pens. Part of the problem is manufacturers pushing the design over the top to make them "scream" weapon for these pens when it serves absolutely no defensive purpose. Much like fishing lures are mostly made to catch fishermen instead of fish, most of the dramatic looking "tactical pens" are made to catch customers.

A pen is going to either be a spike for stabbing or, like a kubaton, an impact/pressure point tool. Neither use requires the thing to look like a Klingon marital aid, but to get consumers to purchase them companies trying to differentiate them from "just another pen" have gone over the top so they can charge a bunch of bucks for what is essentially a pretty simple tool.

For those of you who want, you can purchase pen part, bodies, clips, cartridges, and build your own.

Some of the colors of these pens will draw lots of attention to them just because of the bright shiny finish. I have seen a pink one, blue one, and gold one. They all look nice but they just grab eye attention too much. Let alone one brand S & W puts th eir name right on the clip for the whole world to see and S & W is recognized by most.