Because the Pen is Mightier than the Sword

[ToddG]

A while back there was a thread comparing the Benchmade and Surefire pens. I've done some looking around and talking with knowledgeable folks since then, and was directed toward the Mil-Tac TDP-1.


(image from store.mil-tac.com)

The idea of using a well-designed sturdy pen as a tertiary and/or immediate access weapon as well as something that can be carried in extremely non-permissive environments is really appealing to me. Has anyone here used one of these or handled one extensively enough to compare it to other similar options?

[SHIVAN]

I have one that I bought at SHOT. It writes very well and is built equal to the task of striking or use as a kuboton.

[PALADIN-hgwt]

xxxxx

[SuicideHz]

Benchmade makes pens now too?

I thought SF made theirs simply because they had the knowledge and materials to make a fine product and thought a nice pen would be neat, kind of like their knife. Was it actually intended to be able to be used as a weapon?

Did BM basically follow the same idea?

I'd like to see some pics of the BM if any of you have one you can post...

[Robb Jensen]

Benchmade makes pens now too?

I thought SF made theirs simply because they had the knowledge and materials to make a fine product and thought a nice pen would be neat, kind of like their knife. Was it actually intended to be able to be used as a weapon?

Did BM basically follow the same idea?

I'd like to see some pics of the BM if any of you have one you can post...

http://www.benchmade.com/products/pr...spx?model=1100

[subzero]

I like the idea of having something sturdy for immediate use, as Todd said, in an environment where you can't have anything. After getting a demo at the Mil-Tac booth at SHOT, I liked the pen enough to buy one.

I can't compare it to the SF, but I've looked at the Benchmade knifeypen and I prefer the TDP-1. The BM has too much of a weapon look to it for my tastes. The TDP did catch a notice when I was at a gun shop once where I was asked if I had a "cool guy stabbing pen." Not what I was looking to hear.

I'd like to try a Surefire, because I REALLY like the idea of the built-in glassbreaker, and I like the twist-open vice the removable cap. I don't like the logo on the clip and it's a bit spendy for me, so I'll have to lust from afar.

FWIW, Botach has what looks to be a very close copy of the TDP-1 from a company called KZ. I just ran across it the other day but haven't compared it in person.

Regarding the removable cap: I'd like a better way to store it when writing. It's just a friction fit over the pointy end and I feel like that's a bad idea.

I snapped the clip on my pen a few months back attempting to re-bend it after it snagged and got bent out of shape. I called Mil-Tac looking for a replacement clip and they told me to send it back and they'd fix it, no charge. Just sent that off a few weeks ago but haven't received it back yet.

[SHIVAN]

The TDP did catch a notice when I was at a gun shop once where I was asked if I had a "cool guy stabbing pen." Not what I was looking to hear.

My red one has flown all over the United States as part of my carry on luggage.

[No.6]

Extremely pricey, but oh so sweet....

http://www.elishewitzknives.com/Pens_Gallery.asp

[ST911]

Benchmade makes pens now too? I thought SF made theirs simply because they had the knowledge and materials to make a fine product and thought a nice pen would be neat, kind of like their knife. Was it actually intended to be able to be used as a weapon? Did BM basically follow the same idea? I'd like to see some pics of the BM if any of you have one you can post...

I can't cite the roll-out dates, but as I recall the BM and others predate the SF by a fair margin.

[subzero]

My red one has flown all over the United States as part of my carry on luggage.

As remarkable as it sounds, I attribute the remark to a switched-on gun store employee (!!!). After all, there had just been a tidbit about the BM pen in SWAT a couple of weeks before.