However, some tactical pens are just copycat trash, created by manufacturers who don’t really give a damn about quality. Here are the top 20 best tactical pens for both men and women, arranged in ascending order according to price.
Lorje Tactical Pen
The Lorje Tactical Pen is a durable tactical pen with a nice grip. The upper part of the pen has a crosshatched design, making it less likely to slip off sweaty hands when used for self-defense.
Made of aluminum, this tactical pen includes a glass breaker, though don’t expect too much considering the extremely cheap price. It’s a bit bigger and heavier compared to other tactical pens, but not enough to make writing too uncomfortable.
Outgear Tactical Pen
The Outgear Tactical Pen is one of the better deals out there, mainly because of the included three ink refills, a welcome addition for those who write a lot on a daily basis. The pen has a crosshatched grip and has an extremely durable pocket clip.
The non-writing end of the pen serves as a glass breaker for vehicle emergencies. It’s also great for self-defense, with the pointed tip being an excellent weapon for poking attackers in critical body parts.
The Atomic Bear SWAT Tactical Pen
Many tactical pens feel uncomfortable when held in reverse. But not the SWAT Tactical Pen from The Atomic Bear. It has a very distinct ergonomic design tailored specifically for slip-free writing and self-defense.
It has a durable tungsten carbide tip for breaking glasses and has a cap with a protruding tip for a better thumb grip. The SWAT Tactical Pen from The Atomic Bear is also notable for including a belt pouch, allowing you to easily carry it around.
Pocket Partners Practical Tactical Pen
In a market full of attention-grabbing tactical pens, the Practical Tactical Pen from Pocket Partners stands out. It has a very discreet and simple design, allowing it to blend in with regular pens and other office materials. You can carry it around without drawing unwanted attention.
Featuring a sleek design with a great grip, this tactical pen can be used to effectively ward off attackers. It is available in different colors and comes with extra ink refills.
Valtev Tactical Pen
Like the Pocket Partners Practical Tactical Pen, the Valtev Tactical Pen looks like an ordinary pen. Meaning, you won’t run into problems when passing through security checks at airports, amusement parks, and other places where mean-looking tactical pens get scrutinized.
The Valtev Tactical Pen works well as a self-defense weapon. It has a non-lethal tip capable of doing enough damage to disable attackers, especially when used correctly. It also comes with a nylon pouch, which can be mounted on most belts.
UZI Tactical Pen
The UZI Tactical Pen is made for military and police use, hence the tough and durable build. It has a crosshatched design for better grip and includes an extremely tight pocket clip. It has a lightweight design and is comfortable to write with.
Unlike most tactical pens, the UZI Tactical Pen offers a more stylish gun-metal finish. For writing purposes, the pen is pretty ordinary. For emergencies, the pen comes with the usual glass breaker and non-lethal tip package.
Sahara Sailor Multi-Functional Tactical Pen
The Sahara Sailor Multi-Functional Tactical Pen is one of the best options for those looking for a tactical pen loaded with features. It has a stylus tip for touch-sensitive gadgets, a bottle opener, a serrated edge, a screwdriver, a hex wrench, and, of course, a glass breaker tip.
It also includes an easy-to-use flashlight, making it the perfect all-around tool for emergencies. It’s noticeably heavier compared to other tactical pens. But that’s the trade-off for having a bunch of features installed.
Anikuv Tactical Survival Pen
The Anikuv Tactical Survival Pen is very similar to the Sahara Sailor Multi-Functional Tactical Pen. It includes a number features which embarrass other tactical pens in the same price range. It has a LED flashlight, a glass breaker tip, a screwdriver, a serrated edge, and a bottle opener.
The pen also writes really well, with the ergonomic design playing a big role in making it comfortable to use for long stretches. Considering the build quality and the features included, the Anikuv Tactical Survival Pen is a total steal.
Boker Plus Tactical Pen
The Boker Plus Tactical Pen is a lightweight tactical pen with a sturdy build. The entire body of the pen is built for a more secure grip both for writing and self-defense purposes. But unlike other tactical pens, it doesn’t come with a pointed edge.
The one issue with the Boker Plus Tactical Pen is that it isn’t the most accommodating when it comes to ink refills. It only accepts a select few ink refills, which might annoy buyers who aren’t well-versed when it comes to ink refills and tactical pens in general.
Milcraft Tactical Pen
The Milcraft Tactical Pen is another tactical pen with multiple features, making it one of the best deals in the market. It features a glass breaker tip, a bottle opener, a screwdriver, a serrated edge, a scriber, and a stylus for touchscreen products such as tablets and smartphones.
Made of aluminum, the Milcraft Tactical Pen comes with a textured body for more grip, especially when being used for self-defense. It includes two extra ink refills and offers the right amount of balance when writing.
Hoffman Richter Stinger Tactical Pen
The Hoffman Richter Stinger Tactical Pen is a tactical pen with a titanium-coated aluminum body. It is capable of denting hard surfaces without breaking itself, which means you can rely on it to easily break glass in case of emergencies.
The cap fits nicely on either side of the pen, though we recommend taking it off when writing for better balance. The design of the pen isn’t the most discreet, however. It totally looks like a tactical pen, so expect to get pulled over in a few airport security checks.
Off-Grid Tactical Pen
The Off-Grid Tactical Pen is one of the most recommended tactical pens for men. It has an extremely sturdy build, with the manufacturer even claiming that it is built like a tank. It has an ergonomic anti-slip grip and comes with a cap that fits easily on either end.
The non-writing end of the pen includes a glass breaker made of tungsten alloy. The cap also doubles as a pressure point weapon, making this tactical pen a reliable tool for self-defense.
Smith & Wesson Military and Police Tactical Pen
The Smith & Wesson Military and Police Tactical Pen is a tactical pen made of aircraft-grade aluminum with a matte black finish. It’s longer than most writing pens, so it’s not exactly the easiest to hide.
The cap isn’t flimsy and fits well on either end of the pen, which makes switching from writing mode to self-defense mode seamless and hassle-free. The non-writing pointed end is also great for striking attackers in a non-lethal way.
Smith & Wesson Stylus Tactical Pen
Don’t like the Smith & Wesson Military and Police Tactical Pen? Check out the Smith & Wesson Stylus Tactical Pen instead. It is similarly made of aircraft-grade aluminum and comes with a matte black finish.
The most noticeable difference between the two tactical pens is that the Stylus Tactical Pen includes an alternate cap with a stylus tip, hence the name of the product. Other than that, the two products are virtually the same.
Schrade Survival Tactical Pen
Compared to all the other tactical pens on this list, the Schrade Survival Tactical Pen has a unique set of features. It includes a removable Ferro rod and has an emergency whistle on the cap, making it the perfect tactical pen for camping.
The glass breaker tip is also sturdy. However, the Schrade Survival Tactical Pen fails when it comes to writing. It isn’t the most reliable in that aspect and also has poor balance. If you want the complete package, we suggest looking elsewhere.
Columbia River Knife & Tool Williams Tactical Pen
The CRKT Williams Tactical Pen is without a doubt the most stylish tactical pen on this list. Just look at that undeniably smooth design. It was designed by former US Army officer and martial arts instructor James Williams.
Featuring a non-reflective black finish, the CRKT Williams Tactical Pen includes a well-built glass breaker tip and works great as a self-defense tool. The overall design is very discreet, so don’t be afraid to carry it when traveling via airplane.
Hardcore Hardware Australia Tactical Pen
Compared to the other products on this list, the Hardcore Hardware Australia Tactical Pen is a newbie in the scene. But don’t let the rookie reputation mislead you – it is one of the more reliable options out there.
It has a sturdy build with the right amount of balance and also writes well. The glass breaker tip also seems reliable enough for emergencies. The only downside is the price, making it a hard sell, especially with all the less expensive options available.
Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen
Many consider the Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen as the best of the best, one reason why it comes with an expensive price tag. It has a machined steel body and a stainless steel pocket clip. It’s great for writing and has the right balance.
The glass breaker tip is made of tempered steel and can easily break you out of certain vehicle-related emergencies. The body of the pen also has a great grip. Lastly, it includes a so-called “Rite in the Rain” ink cartridge, allowing it to function in both wet and dry conditions.
Nitecore NTP10 Tactical Self-Defense Pen
The Nitecore NTP10 Tactical Self-Defense Pen is made of milled titanium alloy with a tapered tungsten steel tip. It has an easily distinguishable design and is compatible with Fisher Space Pen refills. It also writes smoothly.
In terms of passing security checks, the NTP10 is a mixed bag. The unique design makes it totally not look like a tactical pen. But on the other hand, the noticeably different design might prove simply too eye-catching, which invites scrutiny.
Benchmade Tactical Pen
Lastly, we have Benchmade Tactical Pens. Benchmade Tactical Pens are some of the most expensive tactical pens on the market. The price depends on the material used for the body, with aluminum being the least expensive and damasteel being the most expensive.
Benchmade Tactical Pens have an ergonomic build. But unfortunately, they’re not exactly the most reliable when it comes to writing. On the bright side, the glass breaker tips of these tactical pens work great, especially the ones with carbide tips.
Having trouble picking which of the 20 best tactical pens is the best buy? For the safe pick, we recommend checking out the Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen. But ultimately, your pick should depend on what you’re looking for in a tactical pen.
