A survival tactical pen is just another pen at first glance, but it can become a 100% legal self-defense weapon.
Are you looking for the best tactical pens for self-defense, with a glass breaker and flashlight, for example? Then, read our reviews of the top tactical pens on the market at affordable prices. In this guide, you will find the best tactical pens in the world and also some tips on how to choose the one you need.
In our daily lives, we never know where we will go or which scenarios we will face. Even if we are frequent travelers, it is normal to get lost. When we get to a hazardous location, an aggressor may start stalking us.
Thinking about it, prominent armament houses have designed pens with a pointed mechanism that could save your lives. In addition to following the TSA approval, you will have no problem carrying them. The best of all is that most of the time, you will use it for writing. Join me then to learn the 7 best tactical pens for your self-defense.
What are the best tactical pens on the market with TSA approval?
As we are talking about armament and utensils that can save your life in an emergency situation, you must focus on whether the pen you buy is manufactured with a resistant material such as steel or titanium. In addition, its mechanism must be easy to deploy and have an ergonomic design to provide an easy grip and not slip the piece in case of an attack.
Also, please see the best Swiss Army Knife on the market.
On the other hand, you should know that you are in the presence of a multifunctional tool that can not only give you excellent notes but also the ability to write underwater or to illuminate. Here are the best tactical pens.
Atomic Bear Tactical Pen
The Atomic Bear Tactical Pen expresses all the qualities that make using the Tactical Pen such a compelling idea. It has a rugged military-grade aluminum body, a tungsten carbide tip that lets you smash through glass and draw the attention of would-be attackers, a generous size that lets you have a solid grip at all times, and he has not forgotten the style. It’s also a handy device for creating smooth, consistent lines. It comes with a 300D nylon carry pouch that is almost as tough as the pen.
With the Atomic Bear, you’re completely covered, whether you’re taking notes on a construction site, jotting down recipes in the kitchen, or battling a weasel in a dark parking lot. And in addition, it is affordable. The icing on the cake for our top pick.
Pros
- Very resistant nylon sheath.
- Tungsten carbide tip for emergencies.
- Military-grade machined aluminum body.
- Provides the element of surprise.
- Used by the police, military, and others.
Cons
- Consumes ink quite fast
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Gerber Gear Impromptu
This pen offers you enormous resistance since its body is made of stainless steel with a ceramic coating. Therefore, you can use it daily and carry it in your pocket, fanny pack, or in your best tactical backpack.
It includes a permanently tempered steel point with which to break all kinds of glass in an emergency. It will also facilitate your defense against any attack. Thanks to its special Rite in the Rain ink, you can write even in the worst weather conditions.
It has a considerable weight of 62 grams. This represents a great advantage when using it as a blunt object, but not so much for writing. Best of all, it features a sleek, modern design finished in matte black or earth gray. Without a doubt, the Gerber Impromptu is a reliable alternative.
Pros
- Glass breaker and defense
- Applicability in all weathers
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- A little expensive
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Smith & Wesson SWPENMP2BK
Designed for the military and law enforcement, the Smith and Wesson MP 2 offers a comfortable grip and a great pocket clip. It’s lightweight, durable, writes well, and doubles as a capable self-defense tool. In general, the construction is very solid. It offers the durability and reliability that we all expect from Smith and Wesson.
This is one of the highest-rated tactical pens out there, but if you buy this pen, be aware that it does not have a glass breaker.
Another thing to note here is that the Smith and Wesson logo is printed on the pen clip. I’ve heard some people say that since the brand is known for making a lot of things besides pens, the logo might tell someone that this isn’t your ordinary pen. While some may view this as an unintended deterrent, others prefer to keep the element of surprise. Personally, I don’t mind that the logo is printed on the pen. As long as you don’t mind too much that it doesn’t have a glass breaker, this is a great pen.
Pros
- Has a solid construction
- It has a perfect size and weight
- A strong pocket clip keeps the pen low in the pocket and won’t fall off
- The screw-off top makes the pen waterproof
- Writes smoothly and grips well with the Kubotan-like grooves
Cons
- It needs to be unscrewed just to use it
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Sminiker Professional Defender
A fantastic pen for the price. This pen is highly recommended for anyone who is curious about the tactical pen concept but doesn’t want to drop a large amount of change. It is heavy, grippy, and comes with a very robust glass-breaker tip that makes it potentially devastating. The only problem is that some complain about its clip, which feels relatively cheap and flexible next to the absolute rigidity of the barrel itself. This little gripe doesn’t stop it from being our best value pick.
Pros
- Aircraft aluminum is lightweight and heavy-duty.
- It has a sturdy clip that attaches securely.
- Affordable
Cons
- The ink cartridges have been reported to wobble when writing.
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Tactic Ops Tactical Self-Defense
If you are looking for softness at the time of writing and also want to make it with elegant finishes but with a sensitive and premium mechanism, I suggest you opt for this tactical pen.
The high-end piece has been manufactured with aircraft-grade aluminum, making it light and ideal for hanging in your pocket thanks to its extra-strong clip. As for its defense system, the weapon grants a good grip.
This fantastic pen gives you a lot for very little, since it is not only a very good quality pen, but it is also highly resistant and multifunctional. It includes a glass breaker, a led flashlight, and a bottle opener. It also has an integrated hardened steel tip and a reliable push-button mechanism to deploy the pen only when you need it. What are you waiting to get him?
Pros
- Good Light Design
- Built with an effective glass-breaker tip
- Fairly Light
Cons
- Not the Best Writer
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Ankaka 6-in-1 Tactical Pen
This is another of the best tactical pens to buy. Ankaka is a defense marker that will surely draw your attention to the practicality of the piece and its excellent cost in the market. It is a robust and resistant piece made of aluminum and capable of giving you hundreds of words written with quality black ink.
Its length of 15 cm and its diameter of 1.3 cm provide a comfortable enough thickness for support when having to use it in a fight for your life. It includes a glass breaker, flashlight, ballpoint pen, bottle opener, screwdriver, and a hexagonal wrench. The flashlight beam is very strong and useful; the design is well made, and it is well crafted. In addition, it comes well packed in a nice box.
Pros
- 130 lumens can light a room or tent
- The patented thread design offers a secure grip
- Built with aircraft-grade solid aluminum body
- A superalloy tip can break glass
- Lightweight and writes smoothly
- A multi-tool: screwdriver, wrench, and bottle opener
Cons
- Needs to screw or unscrew the self-defense tip
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Smith & Wesson SWPEN3BK
This is another of the best tactical pens to buy. This selection of Smith and Wesson can be your most reliable friend in a nightmare scenario or a useful writing tool to create your fascinating biography. Smith and Wesson manufactured this impressive pen with reliable aviation aluminum (T6061).
This tactical pen features a handy pocket clip, a screw cap, and a touch pen end. It can also be refilled with black Parker Schmidt P900M-style pen cartridges. With 5.4 inches long and weighing only 1.6 ounces, the SWPEN3BK model from Smith and Wesson is a lethal and lightweight tactical pen.
Pros
- Handy For Outdoor Use
- Multifunction
- Tough as Nails
- Writes Great
Cons
- This pen is slightly shorter than others.
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CRKT Williams Tactical Pen 2
This is another of the best tactical pens to buy. The CRKT tactical pen is not just a daily-use pen. It is a sophisticated writing instrument made of precision-machined aluminum and hard coat color anodizing. The Williams model is a heavyweight among tactical pens, weighs a solid pound, and is just over six inches long.
This tactical pen has a black, non-reflective finish and a low-profile clip. It was designed by former Army officer and martial arts teacher James Williams. It is the perfect tactical pen for you to forget about everyone else, partly because it comes with a lifetime warranty and comes with its own case.
Pros
- Affordable
- Ergonomics
- Writes Well
Cons
- Not A Dedicated Smash Tool
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What is a tactical pen?
A tactical pen is a self-defense weapon that, if used cleverly, can protect your life or help you escape from a difficult situation before an attacker. It is a pretty attractive pen with which you can write smoothly in everyday life, but it has been made with resistant and light materials, usually including in its design an extremely useful glass breaker in case your car is submerged in water.
Things you should consider before buying the best tactical pens?
Although it seems that it is a simple pen and a small article, it is important that you know some key features that you must observe in a tactical pen before proceeding to purchase it. In addition, these elements could save your life in a moment of danger. Look, then, what are these considerations?
Body material
Previously, the body of this tactical pen was manufactured in iron. However, today, things have evolved to expand the range of materials with which these instruments have been developed. In this sense, you will find pieces of aluminum, stainless steel, and even titanium for unmatched durability.
Self-defense features
This type of tactical pen must clearly have elements that facilitate your self-defense. In addition, they must be simple to use and have a rapid deployment mechanism, in case any situation where you must preserve your life is presented.
Size and weight
The material will play a key role in determining the weight of the tactical pen. It must be light enough for you to move quickly but also heavy enough to leave an impact on the opponent. As for the size, they are usually similar to the well-known Bic brand pens, and the part of your clip should be discreet but firm.
Ink cartridge
It is equally relevant that the tactical pen you buy contains a refillable ink cartridge so that you can use it for private annotations. This will also avoid suspicion of any possible aggressor, hiding the fact that you carry in your pocket a personal defense weapon.
Pencil tip
Both for writing purposes when you are signing your rubric and to ensure a lasting impact in the event of a dangerous altercation, you need to check that the self-defense tactical pen you buy has a sharp point and that it is ready to work at any time.
Grip
Another of the essential benefits of having a good tactical pen with you is that it is ergonomic and offers a secure grip. Also, observe if the product that has caught your attention is non-slip; otherwise, it could end up on the floor at the time you need it most.
Price
Cost is usually a factor that users consider, even if it is a tactical pen. Imagine for a moment that something happens where your life is in danger. I assure you that at that time you will not care how much was paid for the piece as long as it is of quality and that it saves you and provides security.
In this sense, I recommend that you do not allow the price of the pen to drive you away from a good purchase; remember that you are acquiring an article of self-defense.
Verdict: the best tactical pens
Tactical pens are low-profile weapons that are growing in popularity. They are quickly becoming an essential part of many EDC kits that are being suggested to be transported.
They are effective self-defense weapons that can give you the opportunity to run for safety.
We do not recommend that you take it with you when you board a plane, especially if it seems military-grade and heavy-duty. You will lose it in the high-security controls.
If you really have to travel with one, you should put it in your checked luggage. However, there is still the possibility that an overly enthusiastic agent will remove it.