If you often like to go for walks on your own, it can be comforting having a self defense weapon to hand to ensure that you are safe at all times.
However not everyone feels comfortable walking around with a knife in their pocket, or with a gun holstered to their hip.
Sometimes you want something a little more discrete so that you can keep yourself protected but without drawing too much attention to yourself.
This is just where a tactical pen will come in handy. This ingenious writing implement has been designed to be multifunctional, so that you can easily use it in a pinch to protect yourself from an attacker.
They are also small enough to keep in your pocket, and can be used for a variety of other things such as writing, a screwdriver, and many more.
But with so many different types of tactical pens on the market, how can you be sure that you’ve found the best tactical pen for your needs?
I’m here to help. I’ve done all of the hard work for you so that you don’t have to worry about doing any of the heavy lifting. I’ve researched and reviewed a ton of pens so that I can find the very best of the best.
I put all of the models through their paces to select the 5 best tactical pens that I’ve reviewed in more detail down below. So let’s take a look at the best tactical pens!
Tactical Pen Review
Ankaka Tactical Pen
Out of all the tactical pens that I put to the test, the Ankaka Tactical Pen easily came out on top.
This particular tactical pen comes with a range of great features that will make it a welcome addition to your EDC backpack, vehicle glove box, or even to carry around on your person.
Thanks to the excellent low profile design, you can easily stash it in your pocket until you need to use it.
Another feature that I really loved about this tactical pen was that it is highly durable. It has been constructed using high quality materials so as to last you for many years to come.
These materials include ultra strong aircraft aluminum. It also features a patented design around the thumb grip so that you can hold it more comfortably in your hand when you have to use it for self defense.
Of course, you will want a tactical pen that can also be used as an actual ballpoint pen. So this tactical pen has been designed to give you smooth writing, even when the nib is wet.
Pros
- Low profile design – you can discretely keep your tactical pen on you until you need it
- Highly durable – constructed using high quality components
- Writes smoothly – even when the pen nib is wet you can use it to write
Cons
- No adjustable focus – the flashlight element is only able to give you one light setting
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KEPEAK Military Tactical Pen
Next up is the KEPEAK Military Tactical Pen! This particular tactical pen clocks in at a more affordable price point than some of the more well known brands on the market.
This makes it an excellent choice for those who are working to a budget.
What I really liked about this tactical pen was that it is wonderfully versatile and multifunctional.
It can be used for several different applications, including a ballpoint pen, a self defense weapon, and a glass breaker.
Another handy feature of this particular tactical pen is that it comes with several ink refills included as standard. It gives you 6 ink refills to use as and when you run out of ink in your current cartridge.
Pros
- Multifunctional – can be used as a pen, self defense weapon, and a glass breaker
- Versatile – can be used for a wide variety of applications and situations
- Refills included – comes with 6 ink refill sincluded as standard
Cons
- Bulkier design – some customers felt that the design of this tactical pen was on the bulkier side
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MTP-6 Tactical Pen
If versatility is your main bugbear when it comes to tactical items, then you will love the MTP-6 Tactical Pen from The Atomic Bear.
This particular tactical pen features several different elements that you can use, including a ballpoint pen, a glass breaker, an LED flashlight, a bottle opener, a screwdriver, and a hex key.
You won’t have to worry about this tactical pen letting you down when you need it most.
This tactical pen has been constructed using high quality components so that it will last you for many more years to come. It features aircraft grade aluminum so as to be as durable as possible.
One of the best things about this tactical pen is that it features a low profile design.
I really loved this when I put it to the test, as it means you can easily keep your new tactical pen in your jacket or trouser pocket, ready to use in a pinch.
Pros
- Multifunctional – can be used as a flashlight, pen, bottle opener, and may more
- High quality – constructed using high quality components for added durability
- Low profile – designed to be kept discretely on your person
Cons
- Instructions – some customers felt instructions should have been included as standard
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Gerber Gear 31-001880N Impromptu Tactical Pen
Want to avoid those budget tactical pens which might not last as long as a more professional model? Then the Gerber Gear 31-001880N Impromptu Tactical Pen is just the thing for you.
This particular tactical pen has been constructed using the finest materials to ensure that it is as durable as possible.
There’s no need to worry about this tactical pen letting you down in tumultuous weather conditions. It features a Rite in the Rain ink cartridge, which has been designed to write regardless of the elements.
This tactical pen can of course be used for many different applications too, thanks to the several different elements.
What I really liked about this tactical pen when I tested it was that it’s available in different colors. Whereas others are only available in black, this tactical pen was also available in earth and gray tones.
Pros
- Several colors – choose between black, earth, and gray
- Rite in the rain – features a specially designed ink cartridge that can be used whatever the weather
- Highly versatile – can be used as a writing implement, glass breaker, and more
Cons
- Expensive – one of the more expensive models that I reviewed
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2 Pack Military Tactical Pen Set With 6 Black Ballpoint Refills
Last but not least is the 2 Pack Military Tactical Pen Set with 6 Black Ballpoint Refills. This particular set of tactical pens gives you 2 different pens to use at any given time.
So you can easily keep one in your EDC backpack ready for your next hunting trip, or even keep one in your car to use in an emergency.
This particular set of tactical pens is available at a budget price point. So this makes them more affordable, without sacrificing on practicality.
They also feature a glass breaker element so that you can use them to break glass, or use them as a self defense weapon.
A feature I really liked about these tactical pens was that they come with 4 ink refills to use as standard. This will save you from having to purchase additional ink refills when you run out of ink in each pen.
Pros
- Multipack – includes a set of 2 tactical pens for you to use
- Optional colors – choose between an all black set, a black and white set, or a gray and gold set
- Refills included – comes with 4 ink refills for you to use
Cons
- Presentation – the tactical pen set arrives in a plastic bag rather than a gift box
Also Available At
Buyer’s Guide
Searching for the best tactical pen can be a real challenge. I know the struggles that you are facing, as it can be really confusing trying to figure out which tactical pen will be best for your needs when you’ve never bought one before.
How can you be sure that your chosen tactical pen will be suitable for what you need it for? How can you ensure that it will be versatile enough that you can use it for different applications?
That’s why I’ve put together this handy buyer’s guide to help you with everything there is worth knowing about tactical pens.
I’ve collated all the key features of a tactical pen into one place so that you can have everything you need to know at a glance.
I used the below criteria to help me select the best tactical pens that I have reviewed in more detail up above.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about tactical pens down below, or skip ahead to the frequently asked questions.
Easy To Use
The first thing that you will need to ensure when you select your chosen tactical pen is that it is super easy to use.
This will make sure that you can easily use each element of the tactical pen, and that it won’t be too complicated to switch out between all of the accessories that are included with your pen.
If you plan on using it as a defense weapon should you be attacked, you will need to make sure that you can easily grip your tactical pen in your hand
Does it feature a non-slip grip so as to prevent it sliding in your hand? This will be crucial if you need to fend off an attacker in an adrenaline rush.
It will be important to inspect all of the elements of your tactical pen to make sure that they work properly.
Versatile
You will of course want to select a tactical pen that has been designed to be multifunctional and versatile.
Otherwise what would be the point of buying a tactical pen! In order to use it as a self defense tool, you will need to ensure that it comes with a glassbreaker element.
This can also be used to break the glass of a vehicle’s window, for example, if you become trapped in a wreckage.
Other tools to look out for include a bottle opener, a screwdriver, a hex key, and an LED flashlight.
This will give you a wonderfully versatile tool that you can use for virtually any situation that might arise in an emergency.
It will be important to look for a tactical pen that comes with all of the attachments that you need to use it for more versatile situations.
Another important element to look for is of course a successful ballpoint pen attachment. You will want to ensure that you can use it for writing even when you’re stuck in wet weather.
Low Profile Design
One of the best things about tactical pens is that they feature a low profile design. This makes them an excellent alternative to a bulky gun or knife that will be more obvious on your person.
A low profile tactical pen can easily be stashed away in your pocket, or hung on the lapel of your jacket.
This will ensure that it is within easy reach, but your attacker won’t immediately know that you have a weapon to hand.
Along a similar theme, you will want to ensure that your tactical pen features a lightweight design.
This will make sure that it doesn’t weigh you down when you have it in your pocket or in your bag. It will also make it easier to wield as a self defense weapon.
Durable Design
In order to ensure that your chosen tactical pen lasts you for many years to come, you will need to ensure that it features a durable design.
You will need to take a look at the materials that have been used to construct each element of the tactical pen.
For the vast majority of durable tactical pens, these will be constructed using aircraft grade aluminum.
This will be an excellent place to start in terms of heavy duty materials, as these have been designed to withstand extreme environments.
So you will be able to rest assured that your chosen tactical pen will last you for many years to come.
The more durable your tactical pen, the better it will do in a self defense situation, and the less you will have to worry about it breaking when you need it most.
Ink Refills
Of course, one of the main purposes of your tactical pen is that it can also be used as a ballpoint pen.S
o you will want to ensure that you have enough ink to hand so that you are able to use it as a functioning pen.
For some models, you will need to purchase ink refills separately. However, if you are a savvy shopper, you will choose a model that comes with several ink refills included as standard.
This will save you from having to purchase the ink refills separately. You can also rest assured that you are getting the right kind of ink refills for your particular tactical pen!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Tactical Pen?
The best tactical pens are:
- Ankaka Tactical Pen
- KEPEAK Military Tactical Pen
- MTP-6 Tactical Pen
- Gerber Gear 31-001880N Impromptu Tactical Pen
- 2 Pack Military Tactical Pen Set with 6 Black Ballpoint Refills
What Is A Tactical Pen Used For?
A tactical pen is wonderfully versatile and can be used for a whole variety of things. This will ultimately depend on the attachments included with the pen.
It is mostly designed to be used as a self defense weapon so that you can protect yourself in the event that you find yourself confronted with an attacker.
Similar to other tactical objects, it can also be used for other things, such as a bottle opener, writing implement, flashlight, screwdriver, and a hexagonal wrench.
The amounts of things that you can use your new tactical pen for will differ from model to model.
Can I Carry A Tactical Pen On A Plane?
So you want to keep your tactical pen with you at all times to ensure that you are able to use it for self defense.
We all know that you’re not allowed to bring weapons such as knives or guns onto a plane. But what about a tactical pen?
These are of course pens at the heart of things, so will the TSA make an exception for these?
The answer to this question is sadly no, tactical pens are not allowed on planes. This is because even though it is technically a pen, it can still be classed as a weapon.
So, it will be better to err on the side of caution and leave your tactical pen at home if you plan on taking a flight.
