Practical Tactical Pens?

[Knifewing]

Has anyone had experience with either or both the Surefire and Tuff-Writer tactical pens? I've narrowed my choice down to those two (the BM is too obviously a weapon for travel carry IMO). The SF has a twist mechanism so no cap to lose and, for what it's worth, a glassbreaker. The Tuff-Writer does have a cap (that seems secure) and is the one that most appeals to me looks-wise. They're about the same size and weight and can be found online for about the same price. But I'm wondering how they actually write and carry in EDC use. The SF has a fine cartridge; the TW uses an version of the Fisher cartridge concept. And of course, there's the question of whether anyone (i.e. me) actually NEEDS an expensive pen with SD properties. But as with Spyderco knives, want often trumps need :)

Happy Holidays and thanks for any help and info you can provide.

knifewing

[RLR]

a) Fisher Space pen cartridges are OK - not great, not bad. I wouldn't use them for intense writing.
b) I think the SF uses different cartridges so you can choose - good in my opinion.
c) You don't need one.
d) "Primary Printer" or Carpenter's Pencil are 10 cents. A Sharpie $2. You get the point.

[vampyrewolf]

Fisher cartridges aren't bad for making notes, but I found the bullet pen to be hard to write with for a couple hours... haven't looked at the 2 pens you're asking about yet, but keep in mind that you'll want something you can use for extended sessions. Simply getting a pen BECAUSE it uses the fisher cartridge isn't much of a reason. :p

need vs want... how many times did someone in your elementary class get stabbed in the hand or arm with a pencil Cost, $.10 ?

When I go out drinking, which means I can't & won't carry more than a single small knife (vnox usually), I have a few pens. I'd rather use and lose a $0.25 ballpoint pen than a decent pen. The point is pain compliance, and anything will work for that (even the 100% PC roll of quarters).

[Brad S.]

I personally EDC a Surefire pen. I looked at the Tuff writer pens but decided against it because I didnt want a cap to lose. The cartridge that comes with the surefire is actually really good, just not my cup of tea, so I replaced it with a fisher pen refill, since then ive never looked back.

One of the fun things I did once was to go to a high end pen store and try all the refills they had in the Surefire. I never found one that didnt fit. They had one that came from a Lamy that they said was impossible to fit in anything other than a Lamy. It fit the Surefire perfectly.

The coating on it as well is a tough as nails! The reason I get stuff like this is because I trash stuff in my pocket. I get sawdust, metal dust, metals shavings... etc in my pockets all the time, it eats whatever is in my pocket alive. Ive EDCed my surefire for at least 6months and its still flawless. I highly recommend the Surefire.

[wescobts]

I have been curious about these pens, I too trash my pocket gear with debris and thought they would be more durable. I looked at the BM and they are nice, but $100.00 is a lot for a pen, which I would probably lose. :o

[ousanas]

I picked up the BM pen for like 60 on ebay, it's a nice pen, does look a bit like a weapon, but the point works GREAT for my work PPC as a stylus. So I can pass it off as that if I need to.

it's pretty comfortable to write with, haven't tried it out for really long writing sessions, but it's nice, goes well with my baliyo for the opposite end of the "Extreme Pen" Spectrum

[Fred Sanford]

I personally don't care for them at all. I don't see what they can do that I cannot do with a Surefire 6P or a $.90 Bic pen, or a Sharpie...........or

[Dr. Snubnose]

Hard body Pens for SD are OK when nothing else is available to you, but they can go for more than most want to spend, once they are billed as a SD tool. A few people mentioned the 10 cent number 2 pencil....it works real well if you have to write with it, thrusting one into someone's body is a whole other story...9 out 10 times it will break on first thrust....but here's a little trick, take that number two pencil..wrap the body with plumber's tape and now you are good to go, not only won't it break but it is now up to the task of multiple thrusts and has deep penetration power..... Doc :D

[ozspyder]

Hahah nice one Doc.

I actually used a pen to do the same trick when I was in school. I was constantly bullied by this one knob ! And I finally broke one day when he was standing over me.... red pen into the fleshy part of the thigh :D He didn't like me much after that. Twas funny though watching him scream with a pen wobbling about his thighs :p

[CUMAONE]

Waysun Johnny Tsai from Tsai's Kung Fu International in Chicago has some good videos on you tube on the "Practical Tactical pen".

[CUMAONE]

I personally don't care for them at all. I don't see what they can do that I cannot do with a Surefire 6P or a $.90 Bic pen, or a Sharpie...........or

$.90 Bic pen has no impact power through things like leather jackets, sharpies pop in half and pencils snap, especially with wrist and joint locks and come along techniques. we tested them all and will be posting videos on YOUTUBE soon. The Surefire pen worked great.

[CUMAONE]

I personally don't care for them at all. I don't see what they can do that I cannot do with a Surefire 6P or a $.90 Bic pen, or a Sharpie...........or

Tactical Flashlights will work as a last ditch for impact, not locks and control unless they are longer.

Cilvilians and executives carry pens all the time though, not flashlights in their suits and pants.

We broke a nice $120.00 flashlight during our impact tests (the internal electronics) the warranty does not/will not cover it, we tried calling the company.

Now we have a $120.. tactial flashlight that will not turn off.

So that is something to think about too.

[Shenmue728]

I've looked at me Baliyo a couple of times and thought how it would work as an impact weapon if the twisty part was Titanium or aluminum... Thats just me though. I've thought of a tacticle pen before but i normally have at least 3 knives on me at all times, so there was no need.

[CUMAONE]

I've looked at me Baliyo a couple of times and thought how it would work as an impact weapon if the twisty part was Titanium or aluminum... Thats just me though. I've thought of a tacticle pen before but i normally have at least 3 knives on me at all times, so there was no need.

Let's be real honest. How many times have you pulled your blade and stabbed someone on the street?

If more than once, you are looking to do it and should not be carrying a blade.

If you are in the sandbox, and your life is depending on it? Ok.

But, cops, bouncers, security guards, store managers, executives and moms jogging on the beach don't get all stabby.

My wife is 5'2 and 110 pounds. if she pulled a knife and got taken forom her by the attacker, what then?

If I sliced a person to ribbon's with martial expertise 50 times in a bar for shoving and grabbing me, is that life or death self defense?

Impact weapons are the way to go... Unless there is no choice left to use a tool like a knife, and then you better be more than **** good with it.

The same rule applies to firearms. Those of us that have the privilage to carry a concealed weapon, want to keep that privilage, our guns don't pop out at ever chance we get, if ever. Unless, of course our jobs call for it.

The pen replaces the Kuboton, that's it.

We like to carry the best, most reliable firearms, the best knives, the best gear, why not the best impact practical SD pen? Plenty of good pens out there under 50.00, just don't think a pencil will do.

A pencil wrapped in tape is a shank, explain that to cop after you use it.

That will never end up in my suit jacket or in a boardroom meeting.

On an airplane? Forget about it.

[Shenmue728]

Let's be real honest. How many times have you pulled your blade and stabbed someone on the street?

If more than once, you are looking to do it and should not be carrying a blade.

If you are in the sandbox, and your life is depending on it? Ok.

But, cops, bouncers, security guards, store managers, executives and moms jogging on the beach don't get all stabby.

My wife is 5'2 and 110 pounds. if she pulled a knife and got taken forom her by the attacker, what then?

If I sliced a person to ribbon's with martial expertise 50 times in a bar for shoving and grabbing me, is that life or death self defense?

Impact weapons are the way to go... Unless there is no choice left to use a tool like a knife, and then you better be more than **** good with it.

The same rule applies to firearms. Those of us that have the privilage to carry a concealed weapon, want to keep that privilage, our guns don't pop out at ever chance we get, if ever. Unless, of course our jobs call for it.

The pen replaces the Kuboton, that's it.

We like to carry the best, most reliable firearms, the best knives, the best gear, why not the best impact practical SD pen? Plenty of good pens out there under 50.00, just don't think a pencil will do.

A pencil wrapped in tape is a shank, explain that to cop after you use it.

That will never end up in my suit jacket or in a boardroom meeting.

On an airplane? Forget about it.

I do agree with you that impact weapons are ideal for non-life threatening SD situations. I carry a Titanium Cold Steel Ti-Lite for the primary reason that it makes an excellent impact weapon closed. If i had my choice of tools I would carry an ASP baton but California has them illegal under thee Dangerous Weapons Law. They are somewhat reasonable with folders, however, and I feel comfortable carring them. If i traveled alot or was in a more restrictive environment a pen would be a better option for me.

I have never carried a knife with the sole intention of using it on another person. Everyday I carry my P'Kal and dont have to use it is a good day in my book.

[jlfletcher]

I have never used a knife for SD purposes, however I have used a kubotan a couple of times and an expandable batons once. They kubotans were highly effective for there size and I carry one daily. The expandable baton worked like a champ but it is impractical to carry in civilian clothes. The properly designed tactical pen can replace the kubotan in places where it would not be allowed, I.E. courthouses, planes, offices, so on and so forth. The Benchmade pen screams weapon to me, but the Surefire looks to be a **** of a hidden last ditch defense.

[MacTech]

They're getting hard to find, but one of the best "self defense" or "tactical" pen is the Rotring 600 series, it's available in clicky ballpoint, capped rollerball and fountain pen formats

the pen body is a solid piece of brass, and has decent heft, it's machined with six flat sides and would likely make a decent striking weapon, and best of all, it looks like a drafting pen, it looks completely un-weaponlike

this is the rollerball model

[CUMAONE]

They're getting hard to find, but one of the best "self defense" or "tactical" pen is the Rotring 600 series, it's available in clicky ballpoint, capped rollerball and fountain pen formats

the pen body is a solid piece of brass, and has decent heft, it's machined with six flat sides and would likely make a decent striking weapon, and best of all, it looks like a drafting pen, it looks completely un-weaponlike

this is the rollerball model

Nice.

We have had the chance to review and test several pens...The Benchmade 100 series, Surefire, Tuff Writer, Mil-Tac and Rick Hinderer, Fisher Space pen and Knightstix tactical Stylus.

My favorite by far is the Rick Hinderer modular heavy duty pen and titanium modular kuboton. WAAAAY COOL.

The best value is the tactical stylus, about 7-8 bucks on Ebay.

[CUMAONE]

I have never used a knife for SD purposes, however I have used a kubotan a couple of times and an expandable batons once. They kubotans were highly effective for there size and I carry one daily. The expandable baton worked like a champ but it is impractical to carry in civilian clothes. The properly designed tactical pen can replace the kubotan in places where it would not be allowed, I.E. courthouses, planes, offices, so on and so forth. The Benchmade pen screams weapon to me, but the Surefire looks to be a **** of a hidden last ditch defense.

I like the gel refill in the Surefire better than I do the Fisher space pen ball point in the other pens. Just my preference, I think its writes smoother.

[CUMAONE]

I Know I am all over this thread (sorry).

My classmate just posted "Waysun Johnny Tsai Practical Tactical Pen Street Defense part 3" on YOUTUBE.

It demonstrates the diferences in SD performance between a Sharpie, #2 Pencil, Surefire and Tactical stylus.

Part 4 an 5 should be up soon.


:D