The adage “The pen is mightier than the sword” was first written by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, in 1839. The playwright , poet, and novelist is perhaps best known for the opening sentence of his 1830 novel Paul Clifford.
“It was a dark and stormy night,” he began. That eventually inspired The Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest for worst writing in the English language in the previous year.
While he was speaking metaphorically, and pen can be used tactically in a self defense situation, particularly if it has been designed for that purpose.
Chris Ruiz wrote an excellent blog on the ins and outs of Tactical Pens for The Bug Out Guide. Please note at the beginning, Tactical Pens may be confiscated at airport checkpoints. This is not an appropriate tool for onboard and aircraft.
Some of the best Tactical Pens on the market:
Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen
5.59″• 1.02 oz • Integrated glassbreaker • Machined steel
Schrade Survival Tactical Pen
5.9″• 1.7 oz • Integrated survival whistle, glass breaker, and magnesium fire starter• Anodized aluminum
Uzi Defender Tactical Pen
6″• 2.4 oz • Includes concealed handcuff key and glassbreaker • Aircraft Aluminum
Rick Hinderer Knives Investigator Pen
4.25″• 1.6 oz • Modular striking end for defensive choice, designed to fit in a smaller hand • Bead Blasted Brass
CRKT Williams Tactical Pen
6″• 1.2 oz • Tapered body to aid grip retention• Machined anodized aluminum
Smith and Wesson M&P Tactical Pen
5.7″ • 1.4 oz• Ridged body for excellent finger holds• T6061 Aircraft Aluminum
Vktech Tactical Pen
5.7″ • 3.7 oz • Scoops on back for catching attacker’s DNA, makes an excellent glass breaker• Aircraft Aluminum
Schrade Tactical Pen
5.7″• 1.6 oz• Highly Inconspicuous • Screw on/off cap • CNC machined 6061 aircraft aluminum
Night Armor Tactical Pen with Built-in Flashlight
6.25″ • 2.4 oz Integrated flashlight makes this a multipurpose EDC item • Aircraft Aluminum
Smith and Wesson 3rd Gen Tactical Pen
5.7″ • 1.4 oz• Includes stylus tip on one end for touchscreens • T6061 Aircraft Aluminum
At its most basic a tactical pen is a writing implement that is also designed to be used as a defensive weapon. Tactical pens are typically made of metal or a very strong plastic. Aircraft grade aluminum and titanium are frequently employed to make strong, lightweight tactical pens. One or both ends of a tactical pen is typically tapered to a point to allow for it to be used as a thrusting self defense tool. Whereas a normal pen would bend or break if used in a defensive scenario a tactical pen is designed for tough use.
People carry tactical pens for many reasons. Some may just want a high quality pen that looks good and matches other gear they may have like a folding knife or other tactical equipment. The primary reason however is that they want a reliable self defense tool that can be hidden in plain sight. While a knife or firearm will draw most anyone’s attention if spotted while being carried, a tactical pen is more of a grey man option. With some basic training this enables tactical pen users to protect themselves wherever they go.
Another reason is that many tactical pens are designed to be non-lethal and come with a blunt end that is intended to apply painful force to pressure points, sensitive areas, and other vulnerable locations on an attacker’s body. This can be an appealing non-lethal self defense option for those not wanting to cause mortal damage to an attacker.
Pick For Best Overall Tactical Pen:
Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen
Pick For Best Mid Range Tactical Pen:
Schrade Survival Tactical Pen
Pick for Best Budget Tactical Pen:
Uzi Defender Tactical Pen
How Do I Choose The Best Tactical Pen?
When looking for the best tactical pen a good place to start is to choose one that writes well. This is the basic function of a tactical pen and is what you will use it for 99% of the time. The best tactical pens out there accept ink refills from quality producers like Parker and Hauser, Fischer Space Pen, and Rite in the Rain.
Once you have a good writing tool it is time to look at the defensive features to find the best tactical pen for your personal protection. First decide how you would want to use your tactical pen as a defensive tool. A smaller woman for example will struggle to inflict damage with one of the blunt ended tactical pens and may want one with a pointier finish. A larger person would probably be more able to strike with enough force to ward off an attacker with either of these options so will have a wider variety of tactical pens to choose from.
In addition to being comfortable in the hand for writing, having a good grip is key to using the pen as a defensive tool. If you are swinging it with any velocity you will want to make sure the tactical pen stays put in your hand upon impact. The best tactical pen you can choose will have ridges or grooves for your fingers to sit in and knurling to aid grip retention. Make sure the tactical pen you choose fits well in your hand and does not slip when pressure is applied to one end.
It is typical that the best tactical pens on the market will have a robust pocket clip for attaching the pen to a pocket, bag, or belt. Many pens also have additional attachment options for keyrings, carabiners, and paracord. Make sure the best tactical pen you choose has an attachment option that fits well with the way you intend to carry it.
A common point of differentiation to look for when finding the best tactical pen is what special features are offered with the tool. Many tactical pen makers work to make their products stand out by incorporating additional features into their tools such as:
Hidden Handcuff Key
Magnesium Firestarter
Window/Glass Breaker
DNA Catching Scoops (for identifying an attacker to law enforcement)
Some of these additional features may be highly useful based on your environment and likely deployment of your tactical pen. Keep an eye out for special features such as these and more when finding the best tactical pen for you.
There are many schools of thought of the best way to deploy a tactical pen for self defense. If you are going to carry one it is essential to train in how to use it effectively. Once you have learned proper technique it is as important to PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE. You want this to be muscle memory when you are in the moment, an automatic reaction.
