People use ballpoint pens from time to time and they often carry an inexpensive pen with them. There are those that have a better quality everyday carry pen when they go about their daily activities. Since pens are almost always carried in person, why not have one that can be used not just for writing but for emergencies or survival as well? This is where having the right tactical pen is important to suit your needs. Get to know more about the best tactical pens.
For those looking for another tool in their everyday carry kit, here is our list.
Table of Contents
What is a Tactical Pen
Tactical pens are pens that can be used for emergencies. Made from durable and high quality materials, their primary purpose is for writing but oftentimes they also incorporate a glass breaker and a blunt end that can be used both as a defensive or survival tool. Tactical pens also use pressurized ink cartridges since they are meant to be used in tough environments.
How to Choose the Best Tactical Pen
When looking for a tactical pen, you need to think about the following items. Apart from ruggedness and durability, picking the ideal pen will rely on the environment where you plan to use one.
Feature
The most common feature of an EDC tactical pen is the defensive end. It can either have a pointy end or a blunt one. Blunt ends are preferred due to being less aggressive and will not attract unwanted attention.
Most EDC tactical pens also have an glass breaker tip. The tip can either be the same material as the pen body or it can have a tungsten carbide tip which is more harder and durable.
There are also tactical pens that come with other features that may be unnecessary. They can have a stylus, built in flashlight, screw driver, bottle opener, or even a wrench.
Discreetness
A tactical pen should be inconspicuous. It should not attract attention or be identified as something that can be used for self-defense. Top choices for pens for tactical use are those that look like a regular pen.
Ink Cartridge
Tactical pens are primarily used for writing. This means that you should select a pen that can use refills like Fisher, or Rite in the Rain, or Parker style cartridges. These cartridges are commonly available in most office supply stores.
The Best Tactical Pens
Schrade Tactical Pen SCPENBK
Schrade SCPENBK are for those looking for a discreet tactical pen that won’t get second looks from anyone. The pen is 5.7 inches long and made from durable 6061-T6 aluminum. It is plain looking and simple to use. The body has a sleek black anodized finish which tapers down to a blunt end.
Carrying the pen in a pocket won’t be an issue due to the rounded end. It has a pocket clip and a screw on cap that attaches securely to the pen. It accepts commonly available Parker or Fisher style pen refills.
Schrade Tactical Pen is a heavy duty pen that can easily double as a glass breaker or defensive tool. It looks like a common pen at first glance and the great pen for those who prefers inconspicuous looking tools.
Smith and Wesson SWPENMP2BK Tactical Pen
Smith and Wesson SWPENMP2BK Tactical Pen is a simple and functional tactical pen. The included Schmidt P900M Parker style refill writes smoothly and reliably.
The pen is constructed from a very durable high-grade T6061 aluminum with a nice anodization. The pen is 5.8 inches in length which is a good size for writing. The finger grooves provides for excellent grip which makes this pen an ideal defensive or survival tool.
The tip of the pen is unique in the sense that it does not have a fine tip or a rounded end. Instead it has a flat pointed tip which looks less aggressive, less likely to draw attention, but still as effective. It has a screw on cap that can be attached on both ends like most tactical pens.
Maxpedition Acantha
Maxpedition Acantha is perhaps the most average looking tactical pen in our list. A unique feature of this pen is the exchangeable stainless steel end caps. It comes in two variants, the TriStep and Lancet, as Maxpedition calls them. Each tip has their own advantages and disadvantages for a self defense pen. The Lancet is a pointed tip, whereas the TriStep has a flatter end and less aggressive looking.
The pen body is made from T6061 aluminum and small in size at only 5 inches long. It has a sleek and smooth finish that has a good grip even though the pen has no grooves. There is a removable pocket clip attached to the screw on cap. With Maxpedition Acantha, you get the same reliability and writing quality of a Fisher Pen because it uses Fisher Space Pen refills.
Boker Plus MPP
Boker makes different models of tactical pen and this is their Multi-Purpose Pen (MPP) version. It is well-built, durable, and has a streamlined appearance.
Boker tactical pen is made from lightweight aluminum with a durable tungsten carbide glass breaker for emergencies. It has a knurled body with wide grooves for better grip for self defense. There is a deep carry removable pocket clip.
Boker MPP and can use standard or Fisher Space Pen refills.
Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen
Gerber Impromptu tactical pen is one of the must have tactical pens available today. Designed for and developed with law enforcement professionals. It has a slim and professional look. Gerber Impromptu tactical pen uses Rite in the Rain ink cartridges which means that it can write in different conditions, even underwater. It has a pocket clip and a push button mechanism to extend and retract the pen for simple operation.
The pen is made from tough machined steel with Cerakote coating for corrosion resistance. There are ridges or notches that goes along the body to provide better grip when using the glass breaker tip. This is the pen to get for those looking for an affordable option with an excellent design and good functionality. It also comes in grey and earth color.
CRKT Williams Tactical Pen
CRKT Williams Tactical Pen is one of the most discreet, sleek looking pen, with a clean design that would not be out of place in an office environment. It looks like a normal pen and doesn’t advertise the fact that it is a tactical pen.
The body is crafted from 6061 aluminum that is hard coat anodized for durability and has a black non-reflective finish which makes it a good self defense pen. It will write anywhere since it uses Fisher Space pen refills. The pocket clip is removable if preferred.
CRKT Williams is a greate first tactical pen for those who prefer a low profile look.
Nitecore NTP10 Titanium Tactical Pen
Nitecore NTP10 tactical pen is both elegant looking and compact. Being been made from titanium makes it indestructible and lightweight. This titanium tactical pen has a tungsten steel tapered tip so it can also function as a glass breaker and a defensive tool.
It features a deep carry pocket clip also made from titanium. The body has hollow spiral cutouts that makes for a better grip when in use. It uses Fisher space pen refills that can write in anywhere in all conditions. The pen features an adjustable inner barrel to accommodate different sized refills. Nitecore NTP10 Titanium tactical pen is only 4.25 inches in length and is suited for those who prefer compact size for everyday carry.
Tuff Writer Precision Press Series
This is another discreet pen from Tuff-Writer. Their Precision Press series pens have no printed logo or any branding that would give away their tactical nature. It has a silent clicky button which makes this pen easy to use.
The pen’s all metal body is constructed from 6061-T6 aluminum, and the tip is made from 303 stainless steel. It has a coated spring steel clip for added durability and corrosion resistance. The pen can use any Parker pen refills. The rubber O-rings on the pen body and near the tip help ensure better grip.
Tuff-Writer Precision Press series comes in different colors also comes in a mini-click version.
Surefire Tactical Pen IV
Surefire IV is the latest version of their high quality tactical pen. If you check their previous models, you will see that Surefire is an expert in designing EDC tactical pens that look like normal pens.
The body is and hard anodized for ruggedness and made from high-strength aerospace aluminum. It sports stainless steel pocket clip, nose cone, and push button. The button has a smooth click mechanism to deploy the retractable pen. The large diameter pen barrel helps with the grip. Surefire tactical pen comes with a Schmidt easyFLOW 9000 cartridge that works well. Surefire IV is low key, and looks no different to common pens.
Benchmade 1100 Series Tactical Pen Damasteel
Benchmade 1100 Series is Benchmade’s tactical pen offering. Being constructed from Damasteel gives it a beautiful Damascus pattern all throughout the body. If you need a high end tactical pen, then look no further.
The body, cap, and pen grip is constructed from machined Damasteel with a pointed end that makes for a good self defense pen. There are ridges on the cap and body, both with ergonomic knurling machined that provides excellent grip. The pen cap clicks securely in place and has a coated deep carry clip. The pen uses Fisher Space pen refills.
The Benchmade 1100 series has different variants with different colors and made from materials like stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum. If you need the best tactical pen, you definitely have to check this one out!
Carry the Best Tactical Pen Today
It is a must to have an emergency tool that is always carried in-person. We may carry a collection of keys, with various tools attached to it, but we don’t always have it in person. Keys are not used that much in a day. There is a benefit of having something simple and discreet that we can use anywhere and an EDC tactical pen is best suited for the task. There are different types of the tactical pens, and with our list, we hope that it helps you find one that suits your lifestyle.
