Tactical pens

A

ASBOB

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Feb 8, 2008
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Someone posted a thread earlier to day on tactical pens, but I seem to have lost it. The discussion centered on high end models, like the New Benchmade and Surefire, and the Timberline.

I have no martial arts expertise at all, but back in the days after 9/11, those of us flying started thinking seriously about what we would do in a terrorist, last ditch situation. My five foot nothing sister-in law, e.g., who flies a lot, pointed out that seat cushions make a good shield because of the straps underneath (for when they would be used as a flotation device). Some of us have not forgotten, and still think in terms of some form of do-or-die preparedness.

One suggestion, of course, is a pen, the first thing I thought of because I always carry several. My solution was this: many European museums sell a cheap pen that has an all metal body. The Prado in Madrid sells this, and I carry one I bought from, and is labeled, appropriately enough, the Imperial War Museum in London. I just checked, and even when I had the refill out, I could not bend it despite putting a lot of stress on it. This metal would clearly be sturdy enough to penetrate soft issue (e.g. eye or ear). Other benefits: I forget what comes with it, but I switch to a readily available Parker Gel refill, which works very well, as a result, I have a great writing pen that has other uses in an emergency. Also, they are still relatively cheap, even with the weak dollar. Last year the one in London was running about six pounds.

Has anyone else ever considered these for defense?

Also, to be honest, that Surefire looks tempting.
 
I guess my Fisher Space pen could be used as an improvised weapon. But that's not why I bought it.
 
I use Wilson Tactical Defensive Pen and Kuba STYK. I absolutely recommend these high quality pieces. Benchmade defence pens too great choice. Never fail you these brands.
I do not much recommend CS Sharkie pens. They have scratches very easy. But they are strong too. I think Wilson and Benchmade products are the best choice in this categorie.
kuba-styk_1_xl.jpg
 
While not sold as a tactical pen my Arbutus is all steel, very sturdy and either end could be used in an emergency. The woven steel body provides a nice non-slip grip as well.

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I looked at the Benchmade pen, with an eye toward buying one. I noticed that when using it in the pen mode the cap didn't secure to the body of the pen! That makes it pretty much useless for writing, since I'm bound to lose the cap. That, in turn, makes it pretty much useless for carrying, since the clip is on the cap. Another good idea that failed in the execution.
 
you know...


i bought the miltac tactical pen.

i still have it. it's pretty beat up. it's a nice pen, don't get me wrong.


but quickly after i bought the pen, i thought to myself, "what the hell was i thinking?" which quickly became, "what the hell am i actually planning on doing with a pen?"

if you need a defensive tool, commit to a defensive tool. a gun. and a concealed carry license. don't halfass it with a sharpened pen or a pointy flashlight or whatever.

i mean if you like it, then yea, get it. but don't expect to rely on these shenanigans if your life depends on it.



as a pen, the miltac tactical pen is great though. writes good and stuff, and is comfortable and rugged. so is one of those 9 dollar fisher space pens (uses the same ink cartridges). my "tactical pen" was silliest 80 dollars i ever spent. ***kicking myself***
 
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PS: i'm actually am in a tactical environment. i carry my miltac tactical pen, daily. you know what else i carry daily? a rifle.
 
Midget said:
you know...
i bought the miltac tactical pen.
i still have it. it's pretty beat up. it's a nice pen, don't get me wrong.
but quickly after i bought the pen, i thought to myself, "what the hell was i thinking?" which quickly became, "what the hell am i actually planning on doing with a pen?"
if you need a defensive tool, commit to a defensive tool. a gun. and a concealed carry license.

as a pen, it's great though. writes good and stuff. so does one of those 9 dollar fisher space pens (uses the same ink cartridges). my "tactical pen" was silliest 80 dollars i ever spent. ***kicking myself***
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How do you manage to get your gun onto a commercial airline? I do have a CCW and i carry daily but there are times and places where it is impossible and I like knowing I have a defense option other than bare hands.
 
The whole idea of "tactical" pens is an overinterpretation of a basic principle: found weapons can be as effective as purpose-made in an emergency.

When you're blindsided by some stranger in the street, you need your awareness and your training to make it through the initial assault. Striking back with an open hand, catching him off guard, may even chase him away. A second strike with a pen or a quick few hammer blows with an improvised piece like a pen or small flashlight could damage him enough to guarantee your successful defense.

You don't have time to reach for your bowie or your handgun but your pen is in your shirt pocket, right by the hand you just raised instinctively to block him. In many places, you won't have a bowie or handgun, anyway. Neither would your young child, who can still be taught how to lash out with simple improvised strikers.

So why buy such expensive pens to use as improvised weaponry? Well, why not? We're knife knuts, we spend money on knives that goes well beyond what the knife needs to be functional. I've got pens I collected over the years that cost well beyond what a Bic or Fisher or Parker -- ahh, there was that Parker set in vermeuil.

Enjoy it while you've got it. :D
 
They sure feel like marketing asshattery under the "tactical" umbrella.

I wish they would come out with some tactical toilet paper, all black.
 
I won't put that kind of money down for a pen that's overbuilt. Sorry guys. $20? Sure, but for what they're asking, no way. Now, I do carry a pen if I can't carry a knife (which is a lot more often than I like), but its a simple Uni-ball Signo 207. It's not made of titanium or anything but it will hurt sufficiently, the chrome tip looks like something else when whipped out;), grip is fine with the textured rubber, and I don't plan on using it after I have to so if it breaks or cracks in some way I couldn't care less. Oh, it writes damn well too:D
 
Pens do have the advantage of being able to be carried on an airplane and other secured areas. I've brought my Mil-Tac with me on a few flights. It writes well, is solidly built, but it does have the annoying flaw of the cap not being secured while in use. Due to this and my own carelessness, I have dropped the main body twice, and the heavy pen invariably falls point first onto the floor, destroying the 5 dollar refills. Hmmmmmm. Nice pen,but not quite perfect.
 
VA27 said:
I looked at the Benchmade pen, with an eye toward buying one. I noticed that when using it in the pen mode the cap didn't secure to the body of the pen!
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You sure?? It secured to the body of the pen in use on my dad's specimen just fine.
 
I didn't try it, not wanting to scratch the store's pen. I asked the salesman and he said that it didn't 'snap' on while writing. Maybe the one I looked at came from an early batch and the problem has been corrected now. I'll take another look.
 
Zebra makes an all metal pen called the 701 model. Well made and not a bad deal for $5.
 
The Benchmade cap posts securely on the top of the pen, and makes a nice "pop" sound so you know it's on there good. This cap posts more securely than the Perrin or the Mil-Tac pen, which I also have. The Benchmade pen is my favorite.
I like pens. I like solid, well built things, and tactical things. That's why I own these. As far as self defense goes, I believe that they supplement empty hand strikes quite nicely, but that is also a matter of personal choice.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
The whole idea of "tactical" pens is an overinterpretation of a basic principle: found weapons can be as effective as purpose-made in an emergency.
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This is exactly true. The idea that a pen needs to have some look to it or be made ot titanium to be useful as a weapon is silly.

If you really do want to select a pen with some features that will make it more useful as a weapon, allow me to suggest any pen that:

1) is long enough so that if you hold it in a clenched fist, at least 1/2 of an inch will protrude from each end. For most people, this means a pen five or six inches long.

2) has a very pointed end. This is just about always the writting end. The points that I've seen on some "tactical" pens aren't pointed enough. With the exception of felt-tipped and broad marker pens, most do have such an end: the writting point.

3) allows you to easily and quickly get to the very pointed end. This is where a lot of the so-called "tactical pens" fail; you have to unscrew the cap to get to the good point. We all calmor for fast, one-handed opening in a knife, a "tactical" pen needs that same critical trait.

4) is sturdy enough to withstand some impact. It's not necessary to be titanium or even steel. Many plastic pens are quite sturdy.

My tactical pen of choice:

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It costs about a buck, writes well, and will never draw any attention or question, even if you've got three or four of them on you.
 
That is very interesting, I had never heard of a "tactical pen", Great Idea. I'm gonna have to check these out. Any certain local stores carry these?
 
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