The 20 Best EDC Pens

Ask any person to empty their pockets and you’ll likely find a slim wallet, an EDC Knife, and, most recently, some type of smartphone. Despite the rise of technology — most notably smartphones — an EDC pen still remains one of the most versatile staples in an EDC kit.

Not only is taking notes by hand still faster than opening your phone, finding the proper app, and typing away on a virtual keyboard that is much too small for your fingers, an EDC pen is also much more reliable and will allow you to write down phone numbers, ideas, lists, and notes long after your smartphone’s battery has bitten the dust. An everyday carry pen — if taken well care of — will also outlast any smartphone on the market today, will never become outdated, and will never stop working if not eventually connected to a power source.

The best EDC pen, by design, can also serve as your last line of defense should your attacker find you unarmed and unprepared. For those looking to include this field-tested staple in their current everyday carry ensemble, we’ve curated this list of the best EDC pens, in no particular order.

Fisher AG7 Astronaut Space Pen

If NASA considers a pen worthy enough for space travel, then we feel obliged to include it on this list. Originally used on the 1968 Apollo 7 space mission and on board every space mission since then, the Fisher AG7 Astronaut Space Pen will no doubt stand up to the harshest of everyday carry elements and surely write when you need it to write. The deets? Its made from brass in the USA and finished in black titanium nitride, includes a Fisher PR4 pressurized ink cartridge that will write in zero gravity, under water, or upside down, and comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee. Making this your next EDC pen is a no-brainer.

The James Brand Benton Pen

From the same brand that brought us other minimal yet functional everyday carry essentials such as the ultra sleek Chapter Knife, the Halifax keychain tool, and the Mehlville Carabiner comes the Benton Pen — an EDC-ready pen built from 304 stainless steel. Details matter, and this pen has plenty of them, such as a Schmidt 900 refillable ink cartridge, a laser-etched grip pattern, and a handy lanyard loop integrated into the design for keeping it close at hand when not in use.

Grafton EDC Pen

The main goal of Everyman when designing the Grafton EDC Pen was to improve upon the flaws that already exist with current selection of EDC pens. To accomplish this task, the pen was first crafted from 100% anodized aluminum instead of plastic, and then outfitted with a heavy duty bolt-on brass clip, a better-functioning clicking mechanism, and an improved grip. It’s built to last a lifetime, and, thanks to some included hardware, is compatible with both Pilot G2 and Fisher Space Pen refills so you’ll never be short on ink.

PicoPen

Made from durable stainless steel, the PicoPen attaches seamlessly to your keychain or backpack via the integrated key ring, while the pen’s cap securely snaps in place by a magnet. To take the guesswork out of refilling it’s ink supply, each PicoPen is compatible with Zebra F Pen ink refills and weighs a mere half of an ounce — which is just light enough to forget you’re carrying it until you need it.

Zebra F-701

You typically get what you pay for when it comes to your everyday carry, but sometimes coveted items can be had for just a few bucks (the Gerber Shard, for example) such as the Zebra F-701. This stainless steel pen has been a staple in EDC kits for many years and features a minimalist all-metal design, an easy-to-hold knurled grip, an integrated pocket clip, an easy-glide ink cartridge for smooth writing, and a retractable tip. Buy it once and it will last for decades.

Parker Jotter Pen

Some EDC pens are visually-pleasing but not very functional. This is not one of those types of pens. It pairs exceptional functionality with a simple, minimalist design that’s comfortable, durable, and easy to write with. An stainless steel barrel keeps the overall maintenance low, while a two-ball design reduces friction during writing, thus allowing for smoother everyday writing experience. And at a relatively low price point, losing it and then replacing it wouldn’t break your bank account.

Rite In The Rain Trekker Pen

No force of nature can stop Rite In the Rain’s All Weather Trekker Pen from jotting down your field notes, ideas, or stories. This tough EDC pen writes upside down, in the rain, in scorching temperatures up to 250 degrees fahrenheit, and in freezing temperatures as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit all without breaking a sweat — or the bank.

Fisher Space Bullet Pen

Originally designed by Paul Fisher for NASA for it’s ability to write in all conditions, the Fisher Bullet Space Pen writes upside down, under water, in zero gravity, and in temperatures ranging from -30 to 250 degrees fahrenheit. It’s all brass construction is finished in matte black, perfectly balanced, and fits easily in your pocket for seamless everyday carry.

CRKT Williams Tactical Pen

Some EDC pens are just for jotting down notes and ideas, while others, like the Williams Pen from CRKT, were designed as also an unlikely self defense tool. The Williams Tactical Pen was designed by former Army officer and martial arts instructor James Williams and boasts a clean and minimal design. Its a trauma-inducing chunk of anodized aluminum that can help in fending off an attacker and making an escape. The best part about this pen is that it’s design is far from aggressive, and appears to be nothing more than a normal everyday carry pen. The key to good self-defense is being prepared without announcing to the world that you are, and the Williams Tactical Pen does just that.

Big Idea Design Titanium Pocket Pro Pen

Instead of a click mechanism or a cap, you twist to open this pen. With a smooth twist action mechanism that employs industrial-grade silicone rings and grade 5 titanium throughout this pen will be with you until the end of your long and lustrous career, and then some. Even more impressive is the auto adjusting feature that makes this pen compatible with 80 different refills — long, short, Parker ballpoints, standard rollerballs. Choose the Ti Pocket Pro as your next everyday carry writing tool and it will eventually pay for itself.

Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen

Nothing says you’re serious about your everyday carry like carrying a chunk of metal. The Impromptu Tactical Pen is the result of Gerber’s collaboration with law enforcement officers to develop a multi use, all-conditions ballpoint pen that incorporates the advice, “The most important tool you can carry is the item that happens to be in your hand.”

Its crafted from machined steel and features a tempered steel tip that not only shatters windows with ease, but can also be used as a self defense weapon when the need arises. A simple, reliable push button mechanism reveals an ink cartridge that can effectively write in all positions and in wet or dry weather. And at 5.59 inches, it fits comfortably in your pocket and stays put with a stainless steel pocket clip, letting you retrieve it with ease when you need it the most.

Fisher Space M4B Pen

For a little over $15, you could buy a pen that writes upside down, through grease stains, and much longer than any other EDC pen. With the Fisher M4B Space Pen, that’s exactly the sort of versatile everyday carry pen you’re getting — and it’s quite a lot for its slim profile and clean design. The M4B writes four times longer than the average pen which means you’ll no doubt get a lot of use out of it. And its clean design and sleek black colorway are underrated design touches that ensure it should have a home at your desk — at home, at the office, or both. For under 20 bucks there’s probably not a better pen available for purchase.

Cold Steel Pocket Shark

Although not quite a pen by normal standards, the Cold Steel Pocket Shark sure writes like one and is an EDC-worthy instrument nonetheless. Its a fine tip permanent marker with a black grivory construction and walls that are four times thicker than typical markers, giving it a greater impact in self defense situations as well as the tactical charm we’re consistently looking for in an EDC pen.

Tactile Turn Standard Side Click Pen

Take this bad boy with you anywhere you go, and you’ll always have a tough-as-nails pen ready for whatever you need. The all-metal Tactile Turn Standard Side Click ballpoint pen is as hard-wearing as you could ask for, using precision machined bronze that makes it as stylish and sleek as it is durable. It feels solid in your hands without being too heavy, and the combination of top-click engagement and side-button release makes it ultra-convenient to use anytime, anyplace.

Inventery No. 2 Mechanical Pen 

Inventery takes rugged to the next level with this brass-encased pen. The No. 2 Mechanical Pen comes with a removable clip that makes it easy to stow the pen in any case, bag, or pack, or simply slide it into your shirt pocket for convenient carry. The onyx finish is super stylish and gives this mechanical pen an industrious look that will draw the eye of anyone who sees you whip the pen out.  

True Telescopic Pen

The True Telescopic Pen is exactly what you need for a low-key, ultra-portable writing implement that you can literally take with you everywhere. Designed with an integrated ring to secure it to your keychain, the closed pen is less than two-and-a-half inches long, but opens up to a four-inch length that makes it super easy to hold for writing. The body is made of ultra-tough aircraft-grade aluminum, with a brushed stainless steel tubing that looks as manly as you could ask for. And don’t worry about the pen’s cap getting lost — it’s made with a built-in magnet to make sure it always stays close at hand.

Tactile Turn Bolt Action Pen

Get ready to feel like an ultra-manly man with the Tactile Turn Bolt Action Pen. The unique design of this pen is amazing — it works like the bolt action of your favorite rifle, giving you a secure retraction but still making the pen incredibly easy to extend the pen tip. The machined interior gives you a smooth action that will never stick or grind.

5.11 Kubaton Tactical Pen

5.11 brings a military feel into your hands with the Kubaton tactical pen, a writing tool that will be your best friend no matter where in the world you travel or how rough and rugged the terrain. The casing is ultra-durable, with a one-piece design that will never quit on you even after years of use. The pressurized ink cartridge will work until it runs dry, but you’ll love how easy it is to replace. Best of all, this pen is designed for both writing and self-defense, with a specially-crafted, textured grip that turns it into a defensive tactical weapon instantly.

RovyVon Commander C20 Titanium Tactical Pen

Look as authoritative as you feel with the RovyVon Commander C20 Titanium Tactical Pen. Built from only the toughest titanium with a corrosion-resistance surface, the pen is sleek, elegant, and made to last you a lifetime. There’s even an integrated glass-breaker on the cap, so you’ll always have a tool for self-rescue in dicey situations.

Boker Plus Tactical Pen 

The Boker Plus Tactical Pen is the weapon no one will ever expect, but will ensure you’re ready to defend yourself at a moment’s notice. The aluminum body is lightweight but hyper-durable, with a textured surface that offers grip for comfortable writing. The rounded stainless steel end makes it a smart choice for self-defense.

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