It was 2 AM on a Wednesday night. You were writing the final chapter of your novel, deep in your thought. When suddenly, the ninjas attacked. Thankfully you had your trusty best tactical pens in hand to get out of this hairy situation.
Tactical pens may seem like a weird item at first, but like any other EDC item, the best tactical pens can come in handy when you need them. Everything is multipurpose now, your pen should be no exception. Whether you are in the office, out camping, or even working in the field, you always have a pen on you. Sometimes the pen is mightier than the sword because you can carry it with you almost anywhere
Check out some of the best tactical pens for self-defense, utility, and even with a flashlight.
What to Look for in a Tactical Pen
There are many different aspects that separate regular pens from the best tactical pens. It is best to identify the secondary purposes for your pen after using it to write. After all, it has to be able to write as its main function.
Material:
What is the pen made of? There are a variety of metals, composites, and alloys to consider depending on your needs. Some pack a harder punch while others are more lightweight.
Other Tools:
Don’t forget everything is a multitool now. There are plenty of tools that can be crammed into an unsuspecting pen, from a flashlight to a screwdriver, it is important to see what tool isn’t already in your EDC and can be fulfilled with a tactical pen.
Ease of Use:
It is really important to consider how fast can you access the tools in your tactical pen. The best tactical pens are super easy to use and don’t require time spent unscrewing different caps
1. Phil Beauty New Tactical Pen Multifunctional
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Lots of Different Tools to Use | ❌Swapping Heads can be Annoying |
| ✔️Super durable | ❌The flashlight is battery powered |
Specifications:
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Tools: Flashlight, Window Breaker, Knife, Flat and Phillips Screwdriver, Whistle
The Phil Tactical Pen is made of stainless steel, with good corrosion resistance, and is super durable. Not only can you write with it, but use it for self-defense, breaking out of windows, cutting, fire, and lighting. It is one of the tactical pens with a flashlight that can also be used for self-defense.
One of the only downsides of this is that the batteries are kept in the tactical pen which adds extra weight and is only used with the flashlight.
2. Hyggiral 6 in-1 Multifunctional Tactical Pen
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Lots of Different Tools to Use | ❌Swapping Heads can be Annoying |
| ✔️Super Lightweight | ❌The flashlight is battery powered |
Specifications:
- Material: aluminum alloy
- Tools: Flashlight, Window Breaker, Knife, Flat and Phillips Screwdriver, Bottle Opener
The Hyggiral 6-in-1 tactical pen is an ideal tool for camping, EDC, or road travel. It is one of the best tactical pens to help escape from any dangerous situation. It is great for any adult who wants a multitool that they can use anywhere. Thanks to its lightweight material, it is super convenient to keep anywhere. The only downside is that you have to carry all of the other heads around with you and it takes more than a few seconds to swap the heads.
3. Gerber Gear 12-in-1 Dime Multitool Mini
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Crazy Amount of Different Tools to Use | ❌Tools can be overwhelming |
| ✔️Easy Access to Tools | ❌Can be difficult to write with it |
Specifications:
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Tools: pliers, wire cutters, tweezers, bottle opener, fine edge blade, and retail package opener, pocket knife includes scissors, medium flat head screwdriver, file, small flat head driver, and lanyard ring
The Gerber Gear is more multitool than a tactical pen, but it still is one of the best tactical pens for someone who wants a multitool that just has a pen attachment. There are a LOT of different tools included in this butterfly-opening multitool. You need some time to get used to finding each tool but you will definitely be prepared for anything thrown your way.
This would be kept in your pocket when you go out camping or out in the field where these tools would actually come in handy.
4. Premium Tool Pen by Mininch
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Lots of unconventional screw heads | ❌Not much Variety In tools |
| ✔️Looks Beautiful |
Specifications:
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Tools: Screwdriver
The Premium Tool Pen by Mininch is one heck of a looker. The beautiful gold finish gives this tactical pen a luxurious look that other ones can’t compare to. While it has different screw heads from hex to flathead, it doesn’t offer much else. The heads still have to be screwed on themselves, which can be annoying.
This is the best tactical pen for cyclists who would have to make adjustments or swap parts out on the fly. The different heads would let you tackle any type and size of the screw with one tool.
5. Rite in the Rain Pen
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Made in the USA | ❌No Variety In tools |
| ✔️Writes in almost any condition |
Specifications:
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Tools: Steel Point Head
The Rite in the Rain Pen is the best tactical pen for those who actually need to write things in different environments and conditions. The All-Weather cartridge is pressurized, and writes in temperatures from -30F to 250F, underwater (up to 35 ft), and at any angle, so you know rain or shine, it can write. The permanent ink writes through water, grease, and mud without clumping or smearing either, so you don’t have to worry about your notebook having to rough it up a little.
While this is perfect for campers, hikers, and people working in the field, it does not offer much utility outside of writing. Be sure to check out their special all-weather notebooks as well for the complete set.
6․ Monteverde USA Tool Fountain Pen
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Comes with a Pencil | ❌No Survivability tools |
| ✔️Easy to swap heads |
Specifications:
- Material: Brass
- Tools: Rulers, a built-in level, Philips and flathead screwdrivers, pencil, and stylus
The Monteverde USA Pen is the best Tactical Pen for office workers, designers, or anyone working with blueprints in the field. What makes this original tactical pen unique is that it focuses on being a practical pen first and a multitool second.
If you work in design or construction, you know just how useful it is to have a level and ruler built into your pen, as well as a stylus to work on tablets or your phone. This would not be the best tactical knife for self-defense as there is no sharp glass breaker. A flathead screwdriver would have to be used which would do a sloppy job and not be a good self-defense tool. It would be wise to have another survival multitool around if this is the only tool adjacent thing you are taking with you.
7․ Nitecore Multifunctional Bolt Action Design Pen
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Smart Bolt System | ❌No extra tools |
| ✔️No heads to swap |
- Material: Aluminum
- Tools: Rulers, a built-in level, Philips and flathead screwdrivers, pencil, and stylus
The Nitecore is the best tactical pen for self-defense. Period. While other tactical pens have similar tungsten points, this is the only one that won’t break on impact over prolonged use. The special bolt system quickly retracts the pen and sends out the impact point which fixes into place, giving you a sturdy point to start bashing with.
It does not have any other fancy gimmicks, but the attention to detail for the point breaker is enough reason to get this pen for self-defense and emergency situations.
8. AbilityOne Defender Press Tip Pen
| Reasons to buy | Reasons to avoid |
|---|---|
| ✔️Can write anywhere | ❌None |
| ✔️No heads to swap |
Specifications:
- Material: Aluminum
- Tools: Philips and flathead screwdrivers, glass breaker tip
The AbilityONe Defender Press Tip Pen has the best of both worlds. It is super ergonomic, can be written on in almost any weather condition, has a strong glass breaker, and has a self-contained screw head set under the cap. It is light enough to write with as an everyday pen, while still having everything the best tactical pens need.
Conclusion
It is great that the most common tool is being expanded on with life-saving additions. The pen is already such a sleek compact tool that is perfect to add screwdrivers, flashlights, glass breakers, and anything that makes it more functional. Make sure to do your own research on what you look for in a tactical pen.
If you are getting it for self-defense make sure you get properly trained on how to use it as well as knowing about the legal repercussions. What you want from a tactical pen may be better fulfilled by another EDC tool. Maybe you just want a tactical pen because it sounds cool and there is nothing wrong with that. It is better to have a tactical pen and not need it than needing a tactical pen and only having a cheap plastic one that can’t puncture, cut, or loosen anything.
Best of luck finding the tactical pen that works for you!
