- good night
These days it seems that everyone and their brother is producing a “tactical pen”, but there seems little written about their use.
I would imagine that is either because they believe it is so simple, or that you just use the same convoluted trapping and pain compliance techniques that are often taught with the Kubaton.
The idea of this article is to cover the nuts and bolts of what has become my most popular and requested course, Combat Pen. There are no secrets, just a little insight.
First of all let’s look at the selection of the pen for self-defense. The two biggest things it has going for it is that you can carry a pen anywhere, even in the most prohibitive environments, and you can have it in your hand without attracting any undue attention. This is the biggest selling point.
This allows it to be carried with your other tools cannot, and can largely eliminate the need for deployment. Even when carried in the hand, many people would not identify it as a weapon.
The hidden in plain sight factor is severely diminished when you carry a two pound pen, machined knurled Goliath, and stamped with the name of a knife or gun company. I have these pens, and often carry them.
But as I sit here in the airport getting ready to fly, I am carrying a Zebra 701. It is stainless steel, writes well, and does not make my shirt lop sided. I want something that will survive any security scrutiny, allowing me to have a force option on the plane and at my destination before I get my checked baggage.
If you choose to try your luck taking your favorite tactical pen, here are two likely ways you could lose it to TSA:
A-You just toss it in the bin at security and they see it, identify it as a prohibitive item and seize it.
B-You decide to be clever and put it in your carry on. It or something else shows up and they feel the need to do a secondary scan and they find it. See A.
Either way you are out of a pen. Any argument with TSA will only delay you or possibly prevent you from flying that day. I don’t think it is worth it.
So you have decided to carry a plain old pen. Maybe you can find one in Multicam so you will still have the required tactical points to move on to the next level.
The example I give in classes is the cheap pen that the hotel puts out in the room, use it against a pizza box like a singer sewing machine. I use the pizza box because nobody ever says that I can hit them even once with this most non tactical pen.
Our primary target with the pen is going to be the face, head, and neck. A combination of physiological and central nervous system disruption is likely to break the concentration of your attacker.
Think of the pen as a cat’s claws, you use it violently get away, to a safe location to reevaluate. You can also use it to create time and distance allowing you to transition to another weapon.
Holding the pen in a hammer fist grip, the idea is to picture it as a sewing machine needle, and not a punch.
The physics of pen use are that a concentration of force on a small surface area produces trauma, especially tight, vascular ones like the head and face.
It does not rely on weight, momentum, or centrifugal force, so avoid any movement outside your silhouette, which will also be outside your attacker’s silhouette. The roundhouse is easily telegraphed, and easy to block/trap. Move the pen violently back and forth between you and your attacker.
Pens are also effective for fighting your way off the ground. There the ribs and groin become targets of opportunity based on position.
Yes, there are flashier parlor tricks you can do. But this one technique is something anyone who can hold a pen in their hand can do with little to know training. So go get your pens and pizza boxes, and GO STABBY.
>>> Click Here for a Huge Selection of Tactical Pens on Amazon
—————————————————————————————
~George “mercop” Matheis
Contributing Correspondent
George is a retired municipal police officer with a background in SWAT, patrol, and training. He currently runs Modern Combative Systems LLC which provide training in open hand combatives, impact weapons, and edged weapons, and firearms to citizens, military and law enforcement.
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Just this past Thursday, walked right through courthouse security (without guns or knives, of course). Tossed my Surefire pen – which is way overpriced but it is tough – into the basket. Both deputies looked at it but said nothing. Went right through. Granted, mine is all beat up and not “tactical” looking anymore, but it’s still a very large pen. I have driven it through plywood, it works.
I suppose one can get a $2 Bic pen and have a fight with it, but I like the weight and strength of the dedicated pens. Had some others, but once you go trying to drive them through wood or tin, many don’t hold up very well.
Good article! Thanks.
David West(Quote This Comment)
Don’t worry about the Tinman, he is locked up:)
George Matheis(Quote This Comment)
Ah the Zebra 701. Maybe the ultimate of grey weapons.
Corsair8X(Quote This Comment)
My old Gel pen I used to use on patrol saved my…and my partner’s…ass one night. Suspect tried to run, got a hold of him, but still had my pen in my hand from writing his citation, passenger got out. Partner had to deal with him. As I wrestled with the suspect he decided to grab my weapon. As he pulled at it, I locked his arm to my body and gave him 23 hole/rips in his arm with a plastic, opened, gel pen. The suspect’s intentions dramatically changed. You dont need steel, wood-penetrating, medevial looking pens, just good sound tactics.
CHAOScombat(Quote This Comment)
I, too, carry a Zebra 701 but I did the ol’ swaparoo trick where you get a Zebra 701, a Zebra 401 (I think.. It has a stainless steel clicky, as opposed to the 701′s stock plastic stainless steel COVERED clicky) and dropped a Fisher Space Pen refill in it.
All but the Fisher Space Pen refill were free because I am told that I should’ve been a cop because I steal pens like a motherfucker, but even if you pay for it all, shouldn’t run you more then ten, maybe 15 bucks for a solid, dependable pen that doesn’t look super tactical. Just classy and simple.
JH1388(Quote This Comment)
i think your referring to the 301–that’s the model i like to– looked up the 401 on the zebra site (i am a dork) and they don’t make one …well unless your sealforcedelta00agent lol.. they do make a 402– but that just couldn’t be the one your referring to. also didn’t know this but if u order from zebra direct its less then 3bucks a pen….that’s alot of eyeballs one could poke out for a reasonable budget! cheers*
oh and any butthead who spends 100 or more on a pen and isn’t an aspiring writer or paralyzed and needs to write with his mouth, deserves to be kicked in the junk and have his pen stolen or shoved where it dont shine. for 100 bucks that better have batmans steel tension rope shooting out of it with smoke and pencil features and be made out of the same shit the froze hans solo in.
James(Quote This Comment)
Just to note, I picked up a F-701 this past weekend at Wallyworld for under $6.
church.(Quote This Comment)
Great article. Thanks for the heads-up on the Zebra pens. I have been looking for a good, cheap, tough, non-giveaway carry pen.
church.(Quote This Comment)
“Multicam”? Did someone say they make combat specops tactical pens in Multicam??? Do they make them in 4XL?
PogueMahone(Quote This Comment)
Great article MCS, makes me wanna buy them tactical pen. That crusader like tattoo of yours looks cool too.
Pupung(Quote This Comment)
Nothing says class like “tactica – cool” pen…. I like my Surefire, she has been a very helpful tool when needed. She loves that spot under the jaw line close to the ear… When she says down, they get down…
Greg Schretter(Quote This Comment)
As a old time corrections professional, I can atest to the power of the pen. The above article is accurate, cogent and to the “point”. If you have ever wittnessed a prison “shank” attack it always seems the attacker’s arm is linked somehow to a sewing machine. 15 to 25 hits seem to be the norm. Some thugs still are able to survive due to poor hit placement.
Chuck Van Meter(Quote This Comment)
I may be biased as i grew up about 15 miles from the factory in Bradford PA… but Zippo pens. Yep, same company that makes Zippo lighters (also own Case Knives – so it’s Zippo Case now…) Pens are heavy … solid brass, etc., “indestructible” – and they have a two year warranty. They are real pens … more along the lines of executive impressive than “tactical” – but they will work just as well as a ‘tactical’ pen – without the giveway styling, logos, or attendant liability (‘Sir, why were you carrying a pen specifically designed to kill people?’) And you can get many models for less than $20… as opposed to 150 to 200 dollar “tactical pens”
http://www.zippo.com/Products/Pens/41067-000001.aspx?RowStart=&ZippoProductNumber=41067-000001§ion=Pens&bhcp=1
I carry a Shenango. (41070 – it cost 18.95… they make one in black too…
some knife suppliers sell them also … here’s one in the UK… http://www.thebladewarehouse.co.uk/thebladewarehouseonlineshop/prod_767492-Zippo-Shenango-Ballpoint-pen-Taupe.html
Rob Krott(Quote This Comment)
YEA zebra pens are awesome– i get the traditional 2pack from walmart, with a pencil and pen combo. they also make a collapsible one– but that wouldn’t be so hot for h2h, unless your plan is to jab it in an orifice and leave it there!
cost for a zebra is like 6-8buck space pen is dbl or triple that.. and to the affect of a surefire pen? well amongst other writing implements neatly clipped in your carry on- wouldn’t recommend inside your left jacket pocket.
btw on tsa noteworthy topics i recently flew on three flights in conus with a ‘thera-cane’ and my bookbag as carry on. 1st tsa official said ‘sir is that a club’ i looked blankly at her and replied ‘no way? really?’ when infact it does have two handle grips and could be used to restrain an individual or subdue a maniac. my theory… let the air marshal take his/her crack at the baddy first— dont want to get confused with a terrorist or nutjob and get tasered at 30k’ might wake up with 2 gorillas on your shit.
James(Quote This Comment)
A buddy of mine recently showed me his high speed low drag super duper black ops delta team 6 practical tactical $125 ink pen. I’ve seen friends less proud of their newborn children. I didn’t have the heart to tell him it was the precise size, shape and weight of the “retro pen” (styled like a fine writing instrument from the 60s) that I bought at a stationery store for 9 dollars, three refills included. Though his WAS tactical black whereas mine is shiny red.
Bama(Quote This Comment)
Don’t get me wrong, as I am a fan of training with and adapting everyday items into last-ditch CQC weapons, but I really believe that some people will buy anything that has the word “tactical” added to it. If Charmin made a tactical line of toilet paper that came in black, FDE and multicam (naturally), sported aggressive texturing on one side for a positive grip during a dynamic incidents in hostile environments, and was dehorned on the other side for low drag and silent use (hey, you never know who might be within ear shot), I bet people would buy it and brag about how much better and more efficient it makes their lives. Again, in very specific applications a product like this has it’s place, but come on, $125 for a pen just because it is “tactical?”
Craig S.(Quote This Comment)
Agreed. Marketing departments have definitely caught on that slapping the word “tactical” on a product is good for a minimum 25% bump in price. I haven’t seen tactical toilet paper (yet; now that the idea is out there though….) but I HAVE seen tactical socks, tactical shoe laces, tactical water bottles, tactical notepads, etc. (this site has a great spoof ad for a tactical bottle opener).
In the 90s I used to tell my friends that any time they see the word “ninja” on any kind of self defense product it was a pret-ty safe indicator the item was total crap. I can’t say the same for “tactical” since there ARE legitimately tactical things out there, but it is worth a red flag. And you can usually find a similar product that’ll work just as well but WITHOUT the word “tactical” on the packaging and save yerself some money.
Bama(Quote This Comment)
Yup, I agree with Bama. I carry a Retro 51 Tornado. Nice diameter to fit my hand. Good weight and a nice tapered shape for penetration. Not to mention it’s a damn fine looking pen that writes very nicely. Don’t leave home without it.
Buckaroomedic(Quote This Comment)
Forgot to mention that it has a totally flat tail cap that is perfect for putting one’s thumb over to maintain control.
Buckaroomedic(Quote This Comment)
Still love my freebie Cold Steel Sharky. Looks like a big Sharpie and writes just as well. Just can’t break or warp the Cold Steel Polymer body.
BenW(Quote This Comment)
I attended that class where those pictures were taken. I highly recommend training with George!
I just bought my firs Zebra 701 today! I also have a Schrade 1st Gen tacticool pen. I lost my first one (but it still hold the record for the longest I kept a single pen). At $25, it won’t be too bad if I loose this one. But the Zebra 701 is even cheaper and lower key. My Schrade pen has been made once at my job.
Note, the TSA isn’t just taking the pens, they are also turning people over to be charged:
http://www.tsa.gov/who_we_are/workforce/workforce_stories/catch_100110.shtm
MattCFII(Quote This Comment)
I love my rite in the rain pen. I’ve pried nails out of wood with it before. Plus it’s just a pen (stainless steel with a matte black finish, but just a pen) and writes damn well!
Firewalker(Quote This Comment)
+1 for the Zebra 701 with the 402 clicky and pointy head. I use it every day since more than a year now, love it!
Seb(Quote This Comment)
I am glad to see so many of you are carrying a pen with defensive use in mind. How about your loved ones, especially the ladies. Are they carrying one? Have you showed them how to use it? Get some pizza boxes and let them go stabby- George
George Matheis(Quote This Comment)
Wow kudos M- that’s a great idea… Id even go over the main artierial points as well. Which I’ve given in advice before to loved ones but he’ll putting a weapon especially a weapon of convience/improvastion in their hands and holding a demo with the pizza boxes-wow great idea!
James(Quote This Comment)
Great article specifically for recommendations on good solid pens that won’t break under stress and that also seem to be very good writing tools as well.
I am FMA an instructor and teach techniques that use pen-like devices for self-defense and assault. I used to recommend the Humvee brand of ‘tactical’ pens to people but I noticed in my area (SF Bay area), Big5 no longer carries it and LEO are starting to take these things away from people as they would pocket folders, box cutters and any metal pen that has a mil or tactical logo on it. So, the ones you guys mentioned are what I am going to use for demo from now on and recommend it to my students.
You say, some of these pens are available at Walmart?
jun balagtas(Quote This Comment)
I know this is off topic (and this would be COMPLETELY useless for anyone looking for something to board a plane with), but the ASP Key Defender is roughly the same size as a big pen, no pointy ends so no fear of penetration AND it shoots pepper spray.
PS: SF cops are pulling tac pens from people who are obviously up to no good or from people who simply HAVE them? If it’s B, that’s just frightening.
Bama(Quote This Comment)
Love the article, but somewhat disappointed that there has been no “Pen is mightier than the Sword” Comment.
Joe(Quote This Comment)
if that guy use his bare fist, he would be much more effective
chris(Quote This Comment)
Yep, you are probably right, but it is not about what I can do at 6’2 310 lbs, it is about what my wife and daughter can do against a guy my size with them being 5’4 130 lbs. That is what I really care about.
George Matheis(Quote This Comment)
When I get dolled up and am not worried about loosing my pen I prefer these cigar style customs from Mike Parsons, he can be reached at Cutiger27@ATT.net. I get lots of compliments on them.
[img]http://www.deathvalleymag.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Mike Parsons.jpg[/img]
George Matheis(Quote This Comment)
Most bay area cities have specific laws regarding knives (what’s not specifically illegal is legal), and none have laws against pens of any kind. You might want to instruct your students not to surrender their legal property just because an LEO tells them to.
MedusaOblongata(Quote This Comment)
The Parker Jotter, $6-$10 at office supply and occasionally walmart. All stainless steel construction, made in England, not China, lasts forever, writes like a champ and is KBR laundry proof. I don’t leave the hooch without it.
Grigsby(Quote This Comment)