CRK&T Tao pen

C

cutter17

Joined
May 16, 2006
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I'm always on the look out for new pens. I use one daily, so I like something comfortable, and with a little heft. Yep, just like I want my knives to be hefty, so do I want my pens to be also. I currently use a Pilot G2 Limited, and it weighs about 1 ounce. It has a metal barrel which I really like.

I've been looking at the "tactical pens" hitting the market and for the most part I like what I've seen. Though I think some are overpriced and I will not put that much in a pen. I'm thinking I would go about $50 for a good one. Now that pretty much leaves out Benchmade, and several others. I know that Fury has one for around $15, but it looks like........well something I don't want in my pocket.

The CRK&T caught my attention and I've emailed my dealer to see if he has them in stock, and to hold one for me until the 24th, (my monthly order).
I would prefer the green one, but would take the flat black version. I don't like the silver rings version's of this pen. A couple things about it I really like are that it uses the Space Pen refills, and it has a cap that screws shut, and screws on the back when opened. It also has the clip riding all the way to the tip of the pen with only the clip showing.....sound familiar? Yep, just as I like my knives to ride all the way in my pocket with only the clip showing, so do I like my pens the same way.

Anyone have one of these? Anything you can share with me if you do?

Here's a stock pic of it in black.

CRTPENAK.jpg
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Have you checked County Comm and looked at their Embassy pens? They look like they run less than $50.00 except for the copper version. Happy hunting.

-Tye
 
Looks like it has some potential.

I like the S&W/Schrade line that is being made now also.

Or, the all metal Zebra's are great at about $7 each, I have several of those and use them more than the rest.
 
I haven't bought a Benchmade or any other "Tactical" pens because nothing quite writes like the Pilot Gel pen, it's also the G2 Limited.

If I had to, I'd probably go for the Rick Hinderer pen for $75 but then again, it'll be a cool factor instead of a real need
 
Looks cool. If only I didn't lose my pen so often.
 
xtestifyx said:
I haven't bought a Benchmade or any other "Tactical" pens because nothing quite writes like the Pilot Gel pen, it's also the G2 Limited.
Click to expand...

I think you mean nothing writes like a fountain pen. :D

No rollerball (gel pens) or ballpoint can compare with the effortless writing of a fountain pen.



A screw on cap will always get a thumbs up from me. It's nice to see the CRKT pen has such. Space Pen refills is a plus too.
 
xtestifyx said:
I haven't bought a Benchmade or any other "Tactical" pens because nothing quite writes like the Pilot Gel pen, it's also the G2 Limited.

If I had to, I'd probably go for the Rick Hinderer pen for $75 but then again, it'll be a cool factor instead of a real need
Click to expand...


It is definately hard to beat the G2 Limited! If I'm not careful mine will grow legs and walk off, if you catch my drift!

I used to be a fan, still am I guess, of the Zebra's, and will check out the all stainless 704 series next time I go to WalMart.

I went ahead and placed the order as my dealer wrote back that they have it. It will cost around $40, so I WILL BE hanging on to this one!:D

Btw, I'm going to check out the CountyComm pens as you can NEVER have enough pens........or flashlights, or watches, or knives.......ya'll knows hows it goes!!:thumbup::)
 
Rick Hinderer let me look at his Tactical pen last week & I was very impressed.
Many people believe that Rick Hinderer started the whole tactical pen idea.
 
I just got one this afternoon. CRKT did a great job on it. It's a very solid, very well-made pen that feels good in the hand (if you like a larger diameter pen), has good balance, and writes very well. The clip is nice and strong. Very little of the top sticks up out of the pocket, but it is easy to get ahold of and the clip design lets it slide out easily, even though it has a nice firm hold on the pocket.
 
A couple more comments now that I've carried mine for a couple of days. I still like it, but there are a couple of things some folks might not appreciate. The cap end is fairly bulky. If you've watched the videos, you've probably noticed that there are a lot of threads on both ends. I would prefer fewer. Self defense mode: I'm not a self-defense guru, but if you have your thumb or palm over the cap and you strike something, those funky little cut-outs are noticeably more bothersome than a plain cap. Or maybe I'm just a wimp. As far as the three-phase defensive use is concerned, I'm not sure I buy it. Scratching myself with the cap did not bother me in the least. Striking with the small end works great. As far as whether the pen is tough enough to handle abuse is concerned, the answer is yes. I smacked a metal coat rack with it a few times, not super hard strikes, but solid contact. The pen dented the coat rack but was not damaged. Using the writing tip as a weapon is only going to work if you already have the cap off and screwed onto the other end. In a fight there is no way you are going to have time to unscrew the cap off of all those threads, screw it on to the other end, then use it. Like I said, I'm no guru, but I'd just use the smaller end with the cap still on.

The things I still like: I like a larger diameter pen and the CRKT suits me well. For those who like the pen riding well down into the pocket, the clip does a great job of allowing that. I was concerned that it would be a bit awkward to pull out of my pocket, but the clip end is easy to get ahold of when you want to pull the pen out, plus the size, the finish, and the two rings at the top afford pretty good grip. Quality of construction is excellent and I really like the way it writes.
 
From what you have described popedandy, I think I'll get along very well with this pen!:)

Thanks for all the thoughts guy's!:thumbup:
 
I got this in yesterday. Comes nicely packaged in a fabric covered clamshell case. At 1.5 ounces it is ~2x's heavier than my regular Pilot G2 Limited, but it feels great in my hand with that extra heft. The clip holds the pen in my shirt pocket tightly so that it does not slide around, and it also rides deep in the pocket with only ~1/8" sticking out. I like the fact that the cap screws on the back end of the pen, but the threads at the front and rear made a squeaking noise as you unscrew the cap, and then screw it back on. I put a drop of miltec 1 on the cap threads and that took care of the squeak.

As far as writing with the pen, no, it is not as smooth as my G2's. I sorta knew to expect this so it will take a little time to get used to the difference, but it will happen.

So far I'm liking the pen.:thumbup::)
 
I have the County Comm. It writes like the Fisher Space Pen refill it carries always does. :) The balance, weight, and diameter are excellent The cap screws on the tip but not on the back.

I also have the Mil-Tac pen. In fact, two of them. I bought a gray one here second-hand, somewhat scuffed, and really liked it. So I bought one from Mil-Tac in burgundy. They use a Schmidt refill, very smooth. If you write a lot, this beats the Fisher. The cap screws on the tip and rests lightly on the back, which is "tactically" tapered.

If you can find a Fred Perrin pen, grab it. Fisher refill, cap clicks on the tip, grips on the back firmly, is unobtrusive rather than tactical in appearance. The price is half that of the Tao.
 
I've been using the pen for the past several days and am getting quite accustomed to the way it writes. Still, nothing beats the gel ink in my opinion.

I use a pen daily in my work and I found that it was easier to leave the pen opened with the cap screwed onto the back rather then constantly unscrewing, and screwing it off and on. When I leave the room though it goes in my pocket with the cap screwed on correctly.

So far I'm really liking this pen. I would also like to have one in the flat green color.:thumbup::)

Esav, are you saying that a Schmidt refill will fit the same pen that a Fisher refill does?
 
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