Back in March I wrote about backing the Cybernetic Research Labs Tactical Pen project on Kickstarter. I received the pen a couple of weeks ago and overall I’m very pleased with it. I ended up ordering it in Stainless to match my CRL Tactical Cache.
Cybernetic Research Labs Tactical Pen
In the hand, the pen feels very substantial. It weighs in at a hefty 3.90 ounces (measured on a digital scale) and it’s 5.5 inches long with the carbide glass breaker tip not including the split ring. With the glass breaker, it’s noticeably longer than my other stainless pen – the County Comm Embassy.
County Comm Embassy Pen (top), CRL Tactical Pen (bottom)
Looks wise, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I prefer the cleaner lines of the Embassy Pen. But, the CRL Tactical does have a number of other things working in its favor. Despite its overall length, the pen is perfectly balanced and the aggressive knurling does allow for positive control of the writing tip. Also, the pen can be purchased with other attachments as the glass breaker can be unscrewed and removed.
I totally regret not opting for the flat accessory cap as part of my Kickstarter pledge (shown below). With it in place of the glass breaker, the pen would be closer in length to the Embassy and I realize now that I won’t always want to keep the glass breaker in place. The pen looks a lot less “tactical” without it.
Another selling point of the Cybernetic Research Labs Tactical pen is that the cap can be screwed onto either end so that it stays attached to the pen at all times. This is my biggest gripe with the Embassy because I’m always afraid that I’m going to misplace its cap.
But probably the most attractive feature of the CRL Tactical is it’s ability to transform into a twist mini pen. Simply remove the main barrel body and replace it with the cap, leaving the Fisher Space Pen cartridge and spring in place.
County Comm Embassy Pen (top), CRL Tactical Mini (bottom)
The result is a compact writing instrument that can be attached to the outside of a bag via molle and/or a Carabiner for immediate accessibility. Completely awesome for a bag addict such as yours truly that always seems to be fruitlessly searching for a pen when he needs one.
CRL is still in the process of shipping out pens to the supporters of the original Kickstarter campaign, but soon they will begin selling the pen and the attachments on their website. It will likely be offered in Aluminum, Stainless Steel, and Titanium. Pricing TBD but I expect the titanium model will come in at around $100 + shipping.
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