This is a review of the Maxmadco retractable pen, available here: http://maxmadco.com/products/retractable-pen/
I received the Maxmadco retractable pen ($85) for testing and evaluation purposes. I received no compensation for this review and have no affiliation with the manufacturer.
I am an attorney and even in todays computer age I write a lot. I also travel to/through secured locations quite frequently so a sturdy pen (read: tactical) that writes extremely well is very useful and valuable to me. Unlike competing products from Surefire, Benchmade, Tuffwriter, etc. this pen does not use the terribly mediocre Fisher Space Pen ballpoint refill. Instead it uses the wonderful Parker gel cartridge. It comes with a medium black refill that is smooth and which does not skip. I have several Space Pens and this outwrites every single one of them no contest. The highest praise I can give this pen is recognition that it is a pen first (and a good one at that) and an impact weapon second. (Should you insist on using the Fisher refill it will do that too. )
As you would expect, the all stainless steel pen is heavy. Nearly two ounces. It is not so heavy that it cannot be carried in a shirt pocket but I did experience some hand fatigue an hour into a deposition during which I was furiously taking notes. This is unavoidable as the weight is one of the attractive features of the pen; life is full of trade-offs. Regardless, the pen does not appear to be a weapon and so is unlikely to attract attention from TSA or courtroom security. It does not have the logo of a prominent firearm or knife manufacturer displayed on the clip as other pens (foolishly) do. It is priced competitively with other pens of this genre and quality.
Another feature of the pen that I like very much is the retractable mechanism. The cartridge is advanced or retracted by a simple screw head on the side. Slide down and over to deploy; slide down slightly and over to retract, the internal spring does most of the work. Opening/closing can easily be done with one hand and does not seem prone to wearing out as quickly as a plastic geared clickie. Unlike the CountyComm Embassy Pen, there is no cap (especially a cap which does not post) to lose. Nor does the design require two hands to open. This design also removes the limitations of a clickie. First, the tail end is solid for any impact purposes. Second, and probably more utilitarian, the Maxmadco design is not likely to be inadvertently deployed as clicky pens are prone to do. I put this pen in my back pocket on numerous occasions and not once was it open when I removed it from the pocket.
Fit and finish are top notch. This pen is definitely heirloom quality. Long after tactical pens are passé this pen will continue to offer service to its owner.
Bottomline: Five stars out of five. I can't find anything wrong with this pen. The manufacturer may want to consider adding some fine checkering to enhance grip, although I did not find this to be a problem. That is really the only suggestion I have for this fine, made-in-America pen. I suggest you strongly consider getting one if you are the market for a fine pen that can pull double duty as an impact weapon if needed.
I received the Maxmadco retractable pen ($85) for testing and evaluation purposes. I received no compensation for this review and have no affiliation with the manufacturer.
I am an attorney and even in todays computer age I write a lot. I also travel to/through secured locations quite frequently so a sturdy pen (read: tactical) that writes extremely well is very useful and valuable to me. Unlike competing products from Surefire, Benchmade, Tuffwriter, etc. this pen does not use the terribly mediocre Fisher Space Pen ballpoint refill. Instead it uses the wonderful Parker gel cartridge. It comes with a medium black refill that is smooth and which does not skip. I have several Space Pens and this outwrites every single one of them no contest. The highest praise I can give this pen is recognition that it is a pen first (and a good one at that) and an impact weapon second. (Should you insist on using the Fisher refill it will do that too. )
As you would expect, the all stainless steel pen is heavy. Nearly two ounces. It is not so heavy that it cannot be carried in a shirt pocket but I did experience some hand fatigue an hour into a deposition during which I was furiously taking notes. This is unavoidable as the weight is one of the attractive features of the pen; life is full of trade-offs. Regardless, the pen does not appear to be a weapon and so is unlikely to attract attention from TSA or courtroom security. It does not have the logo of a prominent firearm or knife manufacturer displayed on the clip as other pens (foolishly) do. It is priced competitively with other pens of this genre and quality.
Another feature of the pen that I like very much is the retractable mechanism. The cartridge is advanced or retracted by a simple screw head on the side. Slide down and over to deploy; slide down slightly and over to retract, the internal spring does most of the work. Opening/closing can easily be done with one hand and does not seem prone to wearing out as quickly as a plastic geared clickie. Unlike the CountyComm Embassy Pen, there is no cap (especially a cap which does not post) to lose. Nor does the design require two hands to open. This design also removes the limitations of a clickie. First, the tail end is solid for any impact purposes. Second, and probably more utilitarian, the Maxmadco design is not likely to be inadvertently deployed as clicky pens are prone to do. I put this pen in my back pocket on numerous occasions and not once was it open when I removed it from the pocket.
Fit and finish are top notch. This pen is definitely heirloom quality. Long after tactical pens are passé this pen will continue to offer service to its owner.
Bottomline: Five stars out of five. I can't find anything wrong with this pen. The manufacturer may want to consider adding some fine checkering to enhance grip, although I did not find this to be a problem. That is really the only suggestion I have for this fine, made-in-America pen. I suggest you strongly consider getting one if you are the market for a fine pen that can pull double duty as an impact weapon if needed.
