Tactical pens...

[vkeith]

The tail is threaded and screwed into the body of the pen on both the F701 and the F402. It may have thread locker in it but I was able to unscrew each with a pair of pliers. It did leave plier marks on the metal tail of the F402, though.

 

[harrygunner]

Attached a photo of a metal pen set I bought from Levenger years ago on a business trip, when they had a shop in south Florida. The engineer/scientist/nerd in me was drawn to them. However, I carried the one near the dime on my last trip to NYC.

Haven't seen that set offered anywhere in the last decade or so, but Levenger does sell decent metal pens.

https://www.levenger.com/PENS---REFILLS-8.aspx

 

[WestKentucky]

I have had 4 or 5 tactical pens in a variety of flavors. One I really liked came in a blister pack with a Kershaw brawler. Totally unmarked generic tax-pen but it took good refills. It was truly nice. Then when I wore out the twist mechanism which produced the ink pen I lost it, sure it’s still here somewhere but not where I can find it easily. I got several Cheapos that were mediocre. The ones I have in my truck box and grab bag are kinda nifty, they are nicely knurled and have removable sections which produce screwdrivers and an AR front sight tool. It’s nowhere near as handy for any of those tasks as a purpose built tool, but asa combo tool I like it. I would never consider using it as a fighting tool though, it’s a hindrance to that point.

I found a photo of the same set I got.

 

[Jimster]

I’ve been using a Gerber for several years.

 

[hso]

I think I'll have to search for one of the vintage silver Parkers as a self present for my birthday today.

 

[vkeith]

Go for it!



This set is fairly uncommon, and even at $25 + shipping wouldn't be a bad deal. I'm not sure it has brass threads in the body, but a quick question to the seller would answer that.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-PA...8ac3cf50f:g:KAcAAOSwvHRa76DB&autorefresh=true

Here's another set for the buy-it-now price of $28 shipped. It also does not state or show if it has brass threads.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pa...129701?hash=item2a9cd98da5:g:ipEAAOSw5ZtaUqa4

Here's a pen in gold.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pa...165861?hash=item23a07965e5:g:N3AAAOSwWwVa80gF

Brass threads and gold trim, but a bit pricy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Parker...716715?hash=item3d6217912b:g:upMAAOSwLh9a4kgz

The price of vintage Jotters with brass threads has slowly been creeping up as the supply of them wanes, but there are still occasionally good deals to be found.

If you do get a Jotter, get some Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 cartridges for it. They are the best ball point cartridge on the market.

You can also use Fisher space pen cartridges which are pressurized and will write in almost any condition, but they don't write very well compared to Schmidt or Parker cartridges.

Happy birthday!

 

[readyeddy]

The Embassy Pen is really nice. But it's heavy and expensive.

 

[SharpDog]

I have to ask because I can't imagine what a tactical pen does that a regular pen does not. So, what does a tactical pen do?

I bought mine because they were 'space pens' for $3 or so on Amazon and each came with 2 refills. I've never considered them for 'tactical' reasons since I also CCW and carry knives and other weapons as needed. I did have one of these cheap tactical pens come apart of its own volition.

 

[mdauben]

I have to echo what a lot of people say: Actual tactical pens are a gimmick, especially since security screeners are fully aware of them now. Defeats the purpose. I still keep a Schrade click pen around because it's less like the others that it passes, but it's still pretty thick and hard to use as a pen.

I've got a Schrade screw top tactical pen I bought a number of years ago. Its not too obtrusive in your pocket, but if you take it out it does look rather "tactical" with its spike-like profile. I've never tried to carry it through a TSA check, though.

I may have to pick up one of the retractable versions, as it looks more like a writing implement and less like a weapon. In either case, I don't find them hard to use for writing, although that's generally limited to signing my name or writing out a post it note. I don't do extended writing with them.

I have to ask because I can't imagine what a tactical pen does that a regular pen does not. So, what does a tactical pen do?

"Tactical" pens general have heavy duty aluminum bodies, often with tapered or pointed ends to make them more effective striking weapons. As most of them are bulkier than typical writing pens, I think you can get a better grip on them which would help prevent them from slipping through your hand when you strike with the end.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

I usually have a stainless Tactile Turn Glider in a slip case in my pocket. It's heavy and stainless steel, and I reckon I could poke someone with it, but mostly I have it because it's a really nice pen body that uses Pilot G2 .38-mm ultra-fine refills.

I dislike 'tactical' pens. They scream 'weapon,' because that's what they are. If I wanted to carry a weapon, I'd carry a more effective one. However, if I want to carry a nice pen that is sturdy enough to use as an improvised weapon for any situation I might be in where a more effective weapon is not available, I'll use the above pen. Actually I have the above pen in my pocket all the time, anyway.

 

[sean m]

Attached a photo of a metal pen set I bought from Levenger years ago on a business trip, when they had a shop in south Florida. The engineer/scientist/nerd in me was drawn to them. However, I carried the one near the dime on my last trip to NYC.

Haven't seen that set offered anywhere in the last decade or so, but Levenger does sell decent metal pens.

https://www.levenger.com/PENS---REFILLS-8.aspx

View attachment 788620

Rotring those are quality. They were designed for draftsmen

 

[milemaker13]

The tail is threaded and screwed into the body of the pen on both the F701 and the F402. It may have thread locker in it but I was able to unscrew each with a pair of pliers. It did leave plier marks on the metal tail of the F402, though.

Maybe I'm a little dim, but I'm still not following. Ok, the tip? Sure, if it'll screw onto the 701 ,fine, i do agree it has a more streamlined profile.

But I just don't understand the tail section thing... the 701 is metal, why swap the 401 cuz its metal? And again, the 401 body is 1/2 plastic, 1/2 thin metal sleeve over plastic. We used to pull them apart all the time in high school.

 

[harrygunner]

"sean m" They're a 1990's rOtring 600 set, with knurling on the caps and grips. Those three are a rollerball pen, a drafting pencil and ballpoint pen.

Your post had me look into them. They're 2nd generation based on color of plastic "stay" inside the cap. The clip on the rollerball has "Germany" stamped in it.

I'm going to leave them in my briefcase and will be buying a "tactical pen" if I have to visit a place that has lower regard for self defense.

 

[JN01]

I have to ask because I can't imagine what a tactical pen does that a regular pen does not. So, what does a tactical pen do?

They are used for tactical writing, obviously.

 

[vkeith]

Maybe I'm a little dim, but I'm still not following. Ok, the tip? Sure, if it'll screw onto the 701 ,fine, i do agree it has a more streamlined profile.

But I just don't understand the tail section thing... the 701 is metal, why swap the 401 cuz its metal? And again, the 401 body is 1/2 plastic, 1/2 thin metal sleeve over plastic. We used to pull them apart all the time in high school.

Here is an article with photos that is similar to the one I saw that led me modify my F701. It does a good job of showing why the F402 endcap is a better choice than the F701 tailcap.

In the end, I just didn't feel that the F701 was sturdy enough as a pen let alone as an emergency self-defense weapon. When mine broke during normal usage, that confirmed it.

The Jotter I carry now might not fair any better. I don't know because I've never tested one or needed it for self defense, but I like the classic style of it, and with an EasyFlow cartridge it writes really well.

 

[milemaker13]

Cool, I will check out the link. Thank you.

 

[readyeddy]

Just received my pen from StressFreeKey. It’s stainless steel and well made in the USA. Main features include glass breaker, stylus, screw driver, bottle opener, and pen. And it only cost $10 on Amazon.

It looks more like a stylus than a weapon. And I must say that as I’m typing this the stylus is terrific.

It uses 2.75” ink cartridges.

 

[SharpDog]

I got over a dozen from Amazon for around $5 each a while back. They take space pen refills and each came with 2 extra refills (3 total). I also got a number of space pens which take those refills. I got tired of all my pens drying out. One of the cheap pens came apart by itself ... but that's no matter since I mainly got them for the refills. I see no real tactical purpose in them since I always carry a knife. Cheapest I see on Amazon now is $9 with 2 refills, not nearly as good a deal.

 

[Deltaboy1984]

Thanks

 

[ugaarguy]

I see no real tactical purpose in them since I always carry a knife.

The purpose is that a sturdy pen or marker (that isn't weaponized to the point of being refused by security screeners) can be carried into places where you can't carry a knife. A metal bodied Parker, Fisher, Zebra, Pentel, etc. beats nothing in those situations. Plus, I just like my metal bodied Pentel Energel over the plastic bodied ones.

 

[readyeddy]

The can opener tool on the StressFreeKey Pen can be unscrewed, creating an empty chamber that can be filled with things like aspirin or a folded $100 bill.

This is by far the best tactical pen I've bought. It is absolutely solid and light weight. It even has rubber gaskets between the segments. I guess that makes it water resistant.

I'm always miss-typing on my phone with my fingers so the stylus is a really great feature, plus the stylus rubber ball looks innocuous and the butt end isn't weaponized with an extreme point or DNA catcher.

It's probably the lowest priced tactical pen I've seen. Even the inexpensive Parker pen is close to $9.

Don't mean to sound like a fanboy, but I would get this even if you're not a believer in self defense pens. The stylus and glass breaker alone are worth the price. And when they say it's made with USA pride in Pittsburgh, I believe them after seeing the quality.

 

[Jake38]

The large wooden part of this non plastic pen makes a nice grip.

 

[TAK]

I've carried a Parker jotter and sharpie for years with no problems.

The Parker was silver when purchased, the paint has worn off and it is now brass colored.

 

[milemaker13]

I

Here is an article with photos that is similar to the one I saw that led me modify my F701. It does a good job of showing why the F402 endcap is a better choice than the F701 tailcap.

In the end, I just didn't feel that the F701 was sturdy enough as a pen let alone as an emergency self-defense weapon. When mine broke during normal usage, that confirmed it.

The Jotter I carry now might not fair any better. I don't know because I've never tested one or needed it for self defense, but I like the classic style of it, and with an EasyFlow cartridge it writes really well.

I looked at the link you posted. I see now what you mean. It's strange that the 701 has a plastic tail and the 401 is made of brass/steel.

But according to that article, and what you said, the brass tail will screw right into the SS body of the 701. Very interesting.

 

[twnorman]

I don't own a tactical pen but sure would like to. I wonder if there is a tactical pen that can use the Uni-ball Signo DX UM-151 with the .38mm pen refill. Anyone have experience with that? I've searched the internet and I don't find any help in a pen with that type refill.