Tactical pens bundle together the features of your average writing tool with self-defense capabilities. While an EDC knife is likely to get draw unnecessary attention, a tactical pen just flies under the radar as, well, just a pen.
Now, what separates tactical pens from regular pens are features like flashlights and small blades that come in handy when you’re out in the woods. They’ll also have stronger bodies made of metal alloy so that you can use the pen for breaking windows and fighting off an attacker. These features are typically deployed with a push button or a twistable end.
Lastly, there’s the actual pen itself. As cool as tactical pens are, it’s also important for them to be able to write well. No crappy ball points, thanks. That’s why we’ve taken the time to put together a list of tactical pens that deliver on both the tactical and pen departments.
TOP CHOICES
Best Overall
Smith & Wesson SWPENMP2BK 5.8in Aircraft Aluminum Refillable Tactical Screw Cap Pen
- Ergonomic grip that prevents blisters and callouses.
- Durable build made of aircraft aluminum.
- Covered by Smith & Wesson’s Limited Lifetime Guarantee.
- Overall, a very good-looking pen that would make a great gift.
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1Smith & Wesson SWPENMP2BK 5.8in Aircraft Aluminum Refillable Tactical Screw Cap Pen
Best Overall
The Smith & Wesson SWPENMP2BK 5.8in Aircraft Aluminum Refillable Tactical Screw Cap Pen is our favorite tactical ben by far. It doesn’t have all the fancy bells and whistles that come with some of the cheaper pens on this list, but the delivery of the few features it does have is done so well that it makes this tactical pen more reliable than most.
Once you have this pen in your hand, you’ll understand why it made the top of our list. This tactical pen just feels amazingly comfortable, fitting perfectly in the curves and grooves of your hands and fingers so you’re not likely to get cramps or callouses even after hours of writing. Not that anyone still does that anyway.
Tactical features wise, the pen is made of aircraft aluminum, making it highly durable for both as a tool and self-defense weapon. Plus, you know it won’t break or slip no matter how hard you stab with it.
PROS
- Ergonomic grip that prevents blisters and callouses.
- Durable build made of aircraft aluminum.
- Covered by Smith & Wesson's Limited Lifetime Guarantee.
- Overall, a very good-looking pen that would make a great gift.
CONS
- Does not have a built-in flashlight.
2Origin-Joy 4 Pack Tungsten Steel Military Tactical Pen Set
The Origin-Joy 4 Pack Tungsten Steel Military Tactical Pen Set delivers serious value with its 4-pack set that includes 16 refills for the ink. That said, don’t celebrate just yet because it’s not quite as well built as the previous pen we chose as our best tactical pen.
Still, it does the job. Made of relatively thinner aluminum alloy, the pen has a textured grip and a clip for attaching onto your clothes so you don’t misplace it at the most critical moment. There’s a glass breaker at the top, but we’ve found it less effective compared to dedicated glass-breakers — a common tradeoff made with all-in-one type tools.
PROS
- Comes in a 4-pack set.
- Includes 16 ball point ink refills.
- Non-slip grip and clip for hanging it on your belt, pocket, or collar.
- Has a glass-breaker tip.
CONS
- A bit uncomfortable for use as a pen since the barrel is so wide.
3Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen
The Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen is on the pricier end compared to the other pens on this list, but with a machined steel body unmatched in durability, it’s well worth the money. The pen is pretty standard. You get a push-button mechanism ball point pen and an integrated glass-breaker (that’s a lot more efficient than the previous pen). As usual, there’s the textured grip and clip for storage.
What sets this pen apart is its “Rite in the Rain” pink that works in all weather conditions. Pretty cool feature to use together with a waterproof notepad if you like birdwatching.
PROS
- Push-button pen deployment.
- Rite in the rain ink cartridge for use in all weather conditions.
- Integrated glass-breaker.
- Rugged machined steel body.
CONS
- Not a lot of bells and whistles for this price point.
4Atomic Bear Defender Pen
The Atomic Bear Defender Pen shouldn’t be confused with the other popular tactical pen from Atomic Bear, the S.W.A.T pen. This one is as parsed back to the basics as the Gerber and S&W tactical pens.
The pen features an aircraft grade aluminum body and a glass breaker too. But it stands out thanks to the touch screen stylus at the tip which can come in handy for when you just don’t want to take your gloves off to get on your phone.
PROS
- Aircraft-grade aluminum body.
- Clip on feature for attaching to clothes.
- Glass-breaker at the top end.
- Comes with a stylus tip.
CONS
- Writing could be smoother.
5tacray Mini Titanium Tactical Pen
The tacray Mini Titanium Tactical Pen is about as simple as it gets. This pen comes with no additional features outside of it having a sturdy aerospace titanium build that’s made to last in all conditions and withstand virtually any force.
It’s a beautiful pen with an elegant, minimalistic design. While it looks completely smooth, the surfaces are actually blasted to give you a good grip on the sides.
PROS
- Made of aerospace titanium for a rust and temperature resistant build.
- Lightweight and slender, making it easy to conceal.
- Great writing performance and refillable.
- Smooth-looking but with a blasted surface for a steady grip.
CONS
- No additional features.
