A tactical pen is small and discreet but packs quite a punch, and these are the pens you must have!
Tactical Pen Reviews: The World’s Best Tactical Pens
Self-Defense Tactical Pens
The best thing about a tactical pen is you can keep it with you at all times. Unlike a gun or a knife, a tac pen is legal everywhere.
Tactical Pen Definition: This is a hidden self-defense tool that can be used as both a written instrument or a glass breaker, DNA grabber, among other things. Read more about it here.
With this awesome little tool, you’ll never find yourself up against a threat without a weapon to defend yourself with. We decided to do a “roundup” of some of the best and most popular tactical pens on the market.
Below are seven of our favorite tactical pens. Find out which one will suit you the most.
1. Hoffman Richter Stinger Spy Pen – $49.95 $24.95
Hoffman Richter Stinger Tactical Pen Photo by Amazon
This self-defense pen is pretty cheap at $24.95, but don’t let the price mislead you. The stinger spy pen is titanium-coated from a solid metal block making it very durable.
Features:
- Writes upside down and underwater
- Force multiplier strike pad gives you maximum force with minimal effort
- Genuine spring steel pocket clip: Keep your pen on you and ready at all times
- Self-Defense PLUS window breaker
- Aircraft aluminum
- DURABLE AND RUGGED - Made from impact resistant aircraft grade aluminum and hand-machined out of one solid high-quality block, you will be proud to...
- GLASS BREAKER - The beveled edge works equally well for a self-defense weapon or for breaking glass if you need an emergency escape through a car...
- DISCREET AND COOL - Whether wearing jeans and a tee, or a professional suit, or you're law enforcement, military, police, SWAT, just like a spy, no...
2. Schrade SCPENBK Tactical – $25.07
Schrade SCPENBK Tactical Photo by Amazon
This pen has a built-in firestarter with a fire rod and striker. Made from 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, the Schrade tactical pen is sure to last long.
Features:
- 5.7″ overall length
- CNC machined 6061 aircraft aluminum
- screw-on/off cap
- Hauser Parker ballpoint pen cartridge included
- Matte black finish
- DIMENSIONS: 5.7 inch (14.5 cm) overall length and a weight of 1.4 ounces
- DURABLE: Pen is made of reliable CNC Machined 6061 T6 Aluminum
- DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient pocket clip and screw-off top making it ideal for everyday carry
3. Surefire IV Writing Pen with Clicking Mechanism – $117.00
Surefire IV Writing Pen with Clicking Mechanism Photo by Amazon
The Surefire IV is constructed from high-quality aluminum, making it super tough and very reliable for tactical use.
Features:
- Mil-Spec hard-anodized aluminum body with sleek styling and
- Heavy-duty steel pocket clip
- Schmidt® easyFLOW 9000 ink cartridge
- Latest model features silver colored hardware for the tip, clip, and click mechanism.
- Rugged aerospace-aluminum body with sleek styling and Mil-Spec hard-anodized finish
- Heavy-duty steel pocket clip
- Schmidt easyFLOW 9000 ink cartridge flows flawlessly
RELATED: Tactical Pens: They “Ain’t” Just For Writing
4. Colt Tactical Pen – $22.12
Colt Tactical Pen Photo by Amazon
One side of the Colt tactical pen has a sharp end called the DNA collector. It catches little pieces of an attacker’s blood so authorities can run a DNA test in case he escapes.
Features:
- Made using the highest quality materials
- Tested to ensure quality and durability
- The most trusted name in outdoor gear
- Glass breaker, DNA grabber, and pocket clip
- Made using the highest quality materials
- Tested to ensure quality and durability
- The most trusted name in outdoor gear
5. Multifunction Aircraft Aluminum Defender Tactical Pen – $15.02
UZI Tactical Pen UZI-TACPEN2-BK Aircraft Aluminum Photo by Amazon
In case of emergency use or self-defense, the UZI tactical pen has a glass breaker at the tip durable enough to perform the job.
Features:
- Heavy-duty tactical pen
- Made of aircraft aluminum lightweight
- Features a super durable carbide tip glass breaker
- Compatible with regular and Fischer Space Pen refills
- FEATURES: Multi purpose survival gadget with a pen that provides a smooth writing experience, with a ballpoint tip on one end and a carbide tip glass...
- USES: A ballpoint tactical pen that becomes a tactical tool in-case of emergency that shatters a car window in one strike and can also be used as a...
- REFILLS, MATERIAL & WARRANTY: Refillable with Standard and fisher space pen refills and made of lightweight aircraft aluminum. 1-year warranty.
6. Smith and Wesson SWPENMP2BK M and P 2nd Generation Tactical Pen – $23.89
Smith & Wesson SWPENMP2BK 5.8in Photo by Amazon
The ergonomics are really good on the Smith & Wesson M&P tactical pen. It has an aluminum casing and holds comfortably whether for writing or for self-defense purposes.
Features:
- 5.7-Inch Overall
- 1.4-Ounce
- Black Ink
- T6061 Aircraft Aluminum
- Uses Schmidt P900M Parker Style Black Ball Point Pen Refill
- DIMENSIONS: 5.8 inch (14.7 cm) overall length and a weight of 1.4 ounces
- DURABLE: Pen is made of reliable T6061 Aircraft Aluminum
- DEPENDABLE: Quick and easy access with the convenient pocket clip and screw-off top making it ideal for everyday carry
7. MTech USA Xtreme Black Tactical Aluminum Pen – $17.99
MTech USA Extreme Black Tactical Aluminum Pen – 5.25 in Photo by Amazon
The MTech USA Xtreme is pretty affordable for a tactical pen and a writing tool in one. It has an anodized aluminum body, making this pen very capable of defending against an attacker.
Features:
- Tactical Ball Point Pen offers self-defense and a writing instrument all in one.
- Aluminum construction offers a sleek look but can offer a lethal surprise.
- Glass breaker on the end to punch out a car window in emergencies
- Screw on/off cap; uses replaceable ink cartridges
- Measures 5-1/4 inches
Here is one of our old (but still gold) tactical pen reviews for your reference courtesy of Ghita Dorinel:
When you’re stuck in a corner, fending off an assailant, or simply working at your desk, these writing instruments are a good investment. We know it can be overwhelming trying to decide which survival tool to purchase when there are so many out there.
You want to make sure you’re getting the best product for your money, and that it’s a high-quality product that won’t fail you when you need it the most. Any self-defense pen in this list ought to convince an attacker the pen is mightier than the sword.
Think about buying a defense pen today!
What do you think of these tactical pens for self-defense? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
Up Next: Off-Grid Tactical Pen Review | Everything You Need To Know
The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.
Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2015, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
I have a Hoffman. Got it when they were as inexpensive as it could be. Didn’t do my thumb much good but jammed it through 1/4 inch plywood.
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I have 2 Hoffman Richter Tac Pens …love them. Best ever. You can find cheaper Tac Pens but that’s what you have, cheap.
Benchmade tactical pen cnc”d from solid billet stainless stock with typical Benchmade knife type clip, snap on cap and evil point on end. Uses Fisher Space pen or Parker refills. Best tactical pen I’ve ever seen or owned but it is heavy and pricey, when I bought mine, a little $200. I pocket carry with pen point down next to Benchmade knife in a ballistic nylon sheath to protect leg and pocket from unwanted punctures.
Had a Stinger that was carried for several years, until TSA took it in Las Vegas. They said it was classified as a weapon now. They did offer for me to send it by mail. FYI
This is a thorough guide. However, the usage is once in a while. But good to have in pocket, in case anything could go wrong.
TBH I have also written a thorough article about it…
BUT this one I liked.