- More Baby & Kid
- More Cars
- More Electronics
- More Health & Fitness
- More Hobby & Crafts
- More Home & Garden
- More Other
- More Outdoor
- More Pets
SolidGuides.com may get an affiliate commission when you buy through links on our website. Read More.
Have you been looking for an inconspicuous way to protect yourself? Then you should consider investing in one of the best tactical pens. They are a great way to fend off attackers without having to brandish a firearm.
Today, we’re looking at the 10 best models you can buy to defend yourself. We’ve also included a handy buyer’s guide to help you in your search for the right one. You’ll find it immediately following the reviews.
Don’t Have Time to Read the Whole Article?
Benchmade’s 1100 Series took the top spot as the best pen overall. It’s a bit pricey, but it uses high-quality materials and comes in a lightweight body.
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, Gerber’s Impromptu will surely impress. This model is an excellent value with its rugged design and machined-steel body.
There are plenty more for your consideration. We’ll look at each entry more closely so you can better decide which one is right for you.
We like the Benchmade 1100 Series because it’s so tough and durable. It’s made from titanium, stainless steel, and anodized aluminum. If you want a minimal weapon that will inflict maximum damage, this is the pen for you.
We love the grip on this one, as well. It feels great to hold and gives you confidence while you wield it. And it never feels like it’s going to slip out of your grasp.
On the actual pen side of things, the 1100 uses Fisher Space ink cartridges. This allows it to work well beyond what a traditional ballpoint would.
We love how well the 1100 Series writes. Ink flows smoothly at all times, offering long-lasting writing power.
Gerber delivers the goods with a beefy and stylish model that works well. The Impromptu boasts an impressively tough machined-steel body that makes you feel empowered.
Hidden just below the ink tip is an integrated glass-breaker. Made out of tempered steel, this small but effective piece of hardware is just what you need if you find yourself in a bind.
It’s meant for thinner plates of glass, so it may not work well on a thick windshield. We found that it scratches glass really easily, though. If you need to do some light etching, the Impromptu is great to have around.
We love how smoothly the Impromptu writes. It will write upside-down, or even in the rain! If you’re looking for versatility, this is as easy as it comes.
RovyVon delivers another well-priced entry that’s made to last. Thanks to its titanium alloy body, you can count on the C20 Commander to inflict damage when necessary.
A ceramic glass-breaker tip is integrated into the ink tip mechanism. This is handy if you find yourself in a wreck and need to escape quickly.
The brass finish really adds a lot of character and class to this pen. It blends in seamlessly with other ink pens, yet it secretly packs a punch.
If you want a tactical pen that writes in nearly any condition, the C20 offers the best solution. It will write under water, in the rain, or even in space! If you frequently leave the planet, this is one commander you want to take with you.
This unique entry features a bolt-action delivery mechanism. Using it toggles between the built-in glass-breaker and the ink tip.
The body is made of aluminum alloy, while the breaker is tapered tungsten. You’re getting a pen of the highest quality that is sure to last.
We were impressed by how lightweight this model is. Weighing in at less than an ounce, you’ll find that it’s easy to both write with and wield.
Writing works really well with the NTPO30. We were able to write in rain and on wet paper. The German ink doesn’t fade and dries quickly.
If you’re looking for a bargain, Smith and Wesson has you covered. The SWPENMP2BK is a high-quality device that comes at a great price.
Thanks to its aircraft aluminum construction, you’re getting a tough yet lightweight pen. It sports a contoured grip that feels great when writing. And if you need to defend yourself, you aren’t likely to lose your grip.
You won’t find an integrated glass breaker, although it does have a self-defense tip. If you want a well-made unit that lasts, the SWPENMP2BK is sure to please.
We found the cap to be a bit difficult to remove. But the pen writes well and it’s comfortable to hold. As other owners have pointed out, the pen is emblazoned with Smith and Wesson’s logo.
Depending on your surroundings, this may not be something you want others to see. As suggested, we used fine-grit sandpaper to take it off.
CRKT delivers a worthy contender with the Williams Tactical Pen 2. This affordable option sports an aircraft aluminum body for lightweight durability.
We like the low-profile design choice here. Most people aren’t going to know it can be used for self-defense. And when it comes to tactical pens, that’s exactly what you want.
One end is equipped with the ink tip, while the other sports a tough self-defense tip. The Tactical Pen 2 feels great when gripped, whether writing or defending.
Ink flow works exceptionally well. And you can write at any angle without compromising performance.
If you need a pen that writes well in nearly any condition, the Fisher Clutch Space Pen will impress you with its versatility.
We were able to write in water, directly through grease, and upside-down. It’s even rated to work in extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold.
You won’t find any defensive capabilities here. But as a tactical pen that works just about anywhere, few do it as well as the Clutch Space Pen.
We were blown away by the Clutch Space Pen’s writing versatility. Regardless of where you are, you’ll be able to jot down your thoughts. It’s a great companion for mechanics or fishermen.
With its TC4 titanium alloy body, MecArmy’s TPX22 is built for durability. It features a scratch-resistant finish, ensuring that its beautiful shell stays shiny and new.
We like that you don’t have to worry about corrosion, either. You can take this pen just about anywhere without fear of damaging it.
It’s very comfortable to hold and sports a nice grip. And if you find yourself in a sticky situation, a tungsten steel tip is at the ready for self-defense.
Writing is quite versatile. We were able to jot down notes at any angle. It even works under water, if necessary. However, it’s not as smooth as some of the other models we reviewed.
With its tough anodized aluminum body and stainless steel clip, SureFire delivers a tactical pen that lasts. We really appreciated the solid construction and balanced weight.
We love the rugged yet low-profile design of this model. It blends in well with ordinary pens if you’re trying to remain unnoticed.
The retracting tip works smoothly, and ink flows freely. We were very pleased with the effortless writing that this model provides.
If you want a pen that won’t draw attention in the office for being a weapon, this is your best bet. It writes really well and is sturdy enough to defend yourself in a pinch.
Hardcore Hardware rounds out our guide with the HCTWI-02. This tactical pen is reasonably priced and has plenty to like.
It comes equipped with a steel tip for breaking glass. It also has a self-defense tip that feels sturdy and effective. We like that you have options to work with.
We love the strong, anodized aluminum body. It features knurling along the frame to ensure you’re getting a solid grip. We found that it’s comfortable to hold when writing or wielding for protection.
With its defense tip and built-in glass-breaker, you’ll have plenty to help you out of a jam if confronted with danger. We felt the pen’s writing capabilities lacked somewhat in its performance, however.
Now that you have an idea of what’s available, let’s look at some important aspects you want to consider before buying. This section will help you better determine which model is right for you and your daily needs.
As you likely noticed from our reviews, most tactical pens range from titanium to anodized aluminum. Many sport stainless steel bodies, as well. These main 3 will hold up well and give you lots of use.
But if you want some of the best durability around, titanium is going to be your best bet. This also a good choice if you’re buying a tactical pen for its glass-breaking abilities. Titanium offers the most strength and will beat anodized aluminum or stainless steel.
That’s not to discount the latter 2 materials. They are often very lightweight, giving you greater versatility when in use. You may want to choose either if defense is secondary to you, as many people prefer their writing utensil to be as light as possible.
Which brings us to the point of most pens. Depending on your line of work, you may want a tactical pen that excels more at writing than it does at defense. Some models are made to write through grease and under water.
These are perfect for mechanics who work with greases and oils all day. It takes a special pen to cut through these and still write legibly.
Whether you need a tactical pen for writing or protection, it’s vital that you have a good grip on the situation. Many models use knurling along the body to improve your hold on the pen.
And if your pen has a self-defense tip equipped, a solid grip will ensure that it doesn’t slide out of your hand during a defensive thrust.
A tactical pen is any ink pen that’s equipped with extra features for writing or self-defense. Some models focus solely on writing in extreme conditions. While others sports concealed devices to break glass or fend off attackers.
Aside from what we just stated, one of the best kept-secrets of tactical pens is their ability to help identify criminals. If you’re in the unfortunate situation where you have to use your pen to strike your attacker, you may inadvertently collect their DNA.
You can then turn your pen over to the authorities, as it will likely contain a sample that can be used, if necessary. Some models come with special tips that serve to ensure that a sample is taken.