THE BEST Pens

The Tactical Marker 2.0 or TM 2 is a tough metal case for Sharpie markers. You can even drive over them and they’ll remain undamaged. The carrier comes in aluminum, brass or copper variants and with your choice of a blue, black or red Sharpie.

If you’re looking for a great gift for guys, you can’t go wrong with a bolt-action pen. These slick writing instruments feature a weapon-inspired loading mechanism that’s both stable and satisfying. Everyday Carry picks a few of their faves. We’re partial to the Boker Micarta.

From personal to digital, Inventery’s compact and versatile pen has your writing needs covered. Aside from its namesake tool, it also has an interchangeable ballpoint pen head. Its clipped cap can also be swapped with a stylus tip, a clip-less cap and a keychain cap.

Slughaus claims that its NanoPen is the world’s smallest and lightest pen. It’s as small as a key and is even lighter. But don’t think that it’s fragile. It’s waterproof, fireproof and tough as nails. Its tungsten carbide tip can even be used to slice and puncture.

Zerohour’s Apex Bolt is a titanium ballpoint bolt action pen. It uses Fisher Space pen cartridges, so it can write underwater and upside down. It also has a ceramic tip for breaking glass, and a hidden magnetic hex bit socket. It’s available in three finishes.

Izola’s handsome 6-in-1 Pen Tool serves as a ballpoint pen, a stylus, a ruler, a flathead and a Philips screwdriver, a bottle opener and a phone holder. Simply unscrew it from its matte gold case to access the stylus and the screwdriver tips.

This unique writing instrument doubles as a desktop fidget toy. It collapses down to a stubby size that fits between your index finger and thumb letting you spin it freely in your hand. Its companion desk stand also allows spinning and doubles as a letter opener.

Tactical knife and tool maker SOG couldn’t just make an ordinary ballpoint pen, so they packed theirs with a flathead screwdriver, scissors, and a bottle opener to make it just a bit more useful. Takes pressurized D1 ink refills.

3Doodler’s new Create+3D printing pen has a new dual drive system that leads to far fewer jams and smoother drawing than previous models. It not only works with PLA and ABS filaments but also with a new filament called Flexy, which lets you create flexible items.

Beyond Object’s sculptural metal writing instrument is the perfect pen for fidgeters. One of its sections is misaligned by default, and must be rotated back into position in order for the pen’s tip to emerge. Choose from champagne, gunmetal grey, rose gold, or silver.

Acme Studio’s ballpoint pen is the perfect addition to any architect, contractor, or designer’s toolbox. It got an ergonomic, roll-proof triangular design, and rulers in various drawing scales, ranging from 1/2 to 1/500. Available in silver, black, or pink.

We love the grippy texture on the body of WarmKnives‘ handmade writing instrument. This particular pen is made entirely of titanium, which makes it durable and feel weighty in your hand. Takes a standard Parker refill. Be sure to check out their other pen designs.

Smartphones and tablets might be the new notepads and journals, but there’s something so satisfying about writing and sketching on paper with a pen. Everyday Carry shares their list of five great writing instruments that feel great in the hand, and won’t let you down.

TEC Accessories‘ unique writing instrument has a flat shape that’s well-balanced and won’t roll off your desk. Its twin-rail design smoothly retracts its writing tip, and features an easy to change D1 refill system. Available in anodized aluminum or titanium.

This value-priced bolt-action pen is made from aircraft-grade 6061T aluminum, and features a contrasting-colored bolt for retracting its tip. The loop at its back makes it easy to attach to a carabiner or keychain. Accepts standard Parker, Schmidt, and Fisher Space Pen refills.

Oak Lane Woodworks handmakes these beautiful and substantial pens using reclaimed wood from whiskey barrels. They can be had with a twist or bolt-action mechanism, crafted from Jack Daniels, Wild Turkey, or Makers Mark barrel wood.

A truly unique writing instrument, featuring an open-twirled design down its CNC-milled titanium body. It includes a refillable pen, a whistle, a tiny multifunction tool, and a sharp tungsten steel point for self-defense and emergency glass breaking.

This durable and versatile pocket tool combines a bright 120 lumen LED flashlight with a ballpoint pen, and a tungsten steel emergency glass breaker/self defense tool. It’s made from strong 304 stainless steel, and is rechargeable via a microUSB connection.

A supremely minimal writing instrument, CNC machined from solid grade 5 titanium. The UNO features a twist-to-retract sleeve that protects its tip and doubles as a finger grip, while its skinny rear is just barely wider than its ink refill.

An extremely durable writing instrument, made from CNC machined T6061 aircraft-grade aluminum. We love look of the grooved body, which provides an ergonomic grip. It takes a Parker-style ball point cartridge, and its cap has an O-ring seal to keep out the elements.

A great writing instrument when you need to write in a darkened location without impacting your night vision. This tactical pen has got a red LED for illumination at the tip, a non-reflective metal barrel, and comes with a pressurized ink cartridge that writes in all conditions.

Business Casual chronicles the rise of pen giant BIC. Although he didn’t invent the ballpoint pen, BIC’s co-founder Baron Marcel Bich understood economies of scale and brought affordable pens, lighters, and razors to the world. But the company has had its share of busts too.

Some of our favorite pens have a bolt-action mechanism. These weapon-inspired writing instruments are made from steel, aluminum, brass, or titanium, and are sure to outlast cheap plastic pens. Everyday Carry shares some of their top picks for you to choose from.

Small DIY and craft kits in a gift-ready tin case that looks like a 1950’s book. Each case measures about 4″x 4″x 1″. There’s a multi-tool, a first aid kit, bike repair kit, a grooming kit, a sewing kit and a writing kit.

Blank Forces’ latest pens look fantastic, with their seamless titanium barrels, and available flourishes like a blue flame finish, or cool graphic engravings. They come in two sizes, and are compatible with off-the-shelf ink refills.

Big Idea Design’s latest pocket pen works with over 80 different kinds of ink refills from both ballpoint and rollerball varieties. Simply give its titanium body a twist, and it telescopes and adjusts to fit snugly around the refill, including at the tip.