Stabbing pen, the competition

The Tuffwriter: a pen for stabbing people with (not to be confused with the the KZ Xtreme Defense Pen) (also for stabbing people).

From Marines hunting terrorists in burning deserts, SAR expeditions in bone chilling mountains, SWAT officers executing high risk warrant service, EMTs functioning in extreme conditions, or a civilian working in a non-permissive environment. All of these special operations groups have something in common - they all require a pen that they can depend on...
Q: What exactly is a tactical / defense pen?
A: It's a pen designed to be as reliable and durable as the people using it. A writing implement as well as a last ditch defensive tool that you can bring virtually anywhere and have with you at all times. The Tuff-Writer tactical / defense pen is an essential piece of gear for anyone who needs tools that they can depend on.

Tuffwriter (via Beyond the Beyond)

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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Connie H.

Nobody tell the TSA!

We’ll end up with ALL our pens confiscated and only allowed to use crayons aboard airplanes. As it is, it’s lucky we don’t have to go barefoot there.
Takuan

I shall be releasing my “underwear as weapons” book soon. Sorry.
Anonymous

I suppose the people capable of doing extroadinary damage with one of these could do plenty already with their tactical bare hands. Or a tactical improvised pokey stick.

Still, it’s an interesting toy and I can see plenty of more civil uses for it. Give it a while and all the TV detectives will be using ‘em to poke around with evidence before forensics are on the scene.
sworm

I am a security professional and am very interested in this pen.

Is there a version which includes CS or the ability to taser?

This is the kind of versatile weapon I need but thus far haven’t found.
Halloween Jack

a civilian working in a non-permissive environment.

My employer won’t let me come to work topless. Does that count?
teknocholer

“as reliable and durable as the people using it”

I just checked my pens. I’m embarrassed to say they all meet this criterion already.
Lazlo Panaflex

@Pantograph & @devophill sed mine already…
Anonymous

“i can’t find anywhere on this site that recommends how best to make tactical use of this pen.”

If you have to ask, this pen is not for you.
Cicada

I’m at a loss as to what situation I’d be in where the best option is “attack with a pen”
dainel

Why doesn’t the bullet pen shoot out real bullets? You’ve got a solid metal cylinder, closed in one end. It should work as a gun.
Anonymous

Interesting how on the site they have paired them with different guns…as an accessory?
Takuan

after the TSA has frisked you and is assaulting you in the back room.
Cicada

Yep, just one quick stab, followed by a mad dash through the airport for freedom. That’ll work just fine.
And considering the TSA likely attracts the type of people who are the preferred customers for this pen, I imagine they’d recognize it.
“And after I’ve exhausted the ammo in my three backup pieces, and if the terrorist is wearing a neck guard to prevent the use of my belt garotte, and if…”
Anonymous

These pens are about $100.00!
For that price I should also get a ninja.
Ian_McLoud

You guys may not like it, but a pen I can squeeze with extreme rage during a conference room meeting (without it awkwardly snapping in half) is just what I need.
Takuan

I prefer cheap plastic pens and pencils anyway. They break off inside.
santellana

all this time i been stabbing people with cheap #2 pencils like a sucker! pen mightier n sword.
Anonymous

Actually I’ve got a special one here, for top shelf clients . . . don’t forget to read the cap.
Anonymous

I’ve got a woodworking pencil that sounds much more intimidating, even without all the vaguely threatening sales verbage. It looks like a standard office mechanical pencil, but it has a sharpened 1mm carbide rod instead of the regular pencil lead. I picked it up in a small hardware store outside of Osaka, maybe it’s really a ninja pencil…
Anonymous

Also not to be confused with a Pocket Shark, a pen for bludgeoning people.
JoshP

tActIcal pen!!>>!!1 drool!!
yeah, this one got me. gotta go geek on that for a while.
UnnecessaryUmlaut

This is the type of tool that’d give you an itchy emergency-tracheotomy finger.
Daemon

Plain wooden pencil. This won’t do jack against a vampire.
Anonymous

Once again, it is time to refer the crowd to the Shrine.

http://lonelymachines.org/mall-ninjas/
visalia

Of course, everybody knows that the last thing an evil-doer takes from you is your pen. Wierd. The images at the Tuffwriter site are great. What this pen needs is a belt hook attachment.
Anonymous

i can’t find anywhere on this site that recommends how best to make tactical use of this pen. jab the temples? attach to retractable ID badge for a makeshift flail?
it seems like they are deliberately avoiding this question.
Takuan

call that a pencil?
http://dandydwarves.cachefly.net/scadshorts/SCADshorts-May08.mov
Anonymous

Oh please, anything can be used as a weapon. Just ask a ninja.
willy359

As Dan over at DansData has pointed out, on the Internet, “tactical” means “black.” So why isn’t it black? I’ve got a black Fisher Space Pen right here that looks way more badass, and everyone knows that’s what really counts in a dangerous situation, right?
Stefan Jones

“Tactical,” FAH!

I demand a strategic pen.

If I can’t jab at the heart of a T-Rex with it, it’s useless crap.
bearchild

I know a guy who has a pen with about 6 scalpel and saw blade attachments, think that counts as a stabbing pen? :D
nehpetsE

I’m still waiting for the “implant grade” titanium stabbing pen with laser sniper-scope for “can’t-miss” stabbing.
Takuan

what I would like to see is something on dwarf bread.
TEKNA2007

willy359#15:

I’ve got a black Fisher Space Pen right here that looks way more badass, and everyone knows that’s what really counts in a dangerous situation, right?

http://www.spacepen.com/matteblackbullet-1.aspx

I’ll be damned, you’re right. And I’ll this time I’ve been feeling safe with my Silver Bullet.
arkizzle / Moderator

“This is the type of tool that’d give you an itchy emergency-tracheotomy finger.”

WIN!
Pantograph

Might as well get this over with.

The pen is mightier than the sword.
FOR STABBING PEOPLE!!!
justanotherusername

I’ll give you my pen when you take it from my cold, dead fingers!
halavais

Many everyday objects may be used as weapons, and pens can be particularly effective if you are otherwise unarmed. The reasons for this (focuses impact in a smaller area than–say–your fist) are pretty obvious. Most people do not travel with a side arm, and most people–at least those who read BoingBoing–do travel with a pen. So, it’s worth thinking about how it might be used to defend yourself.

#13 asks where the techniques for using a pen as a defensive weapon may be found. Most martial arts have techniques for the short stick, or hand stick (yawara, kobuton, etc.) that are equally applicable to pens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlw9Mo4g5Ak

In a pinch, any pen will do. But many knife makers also make tactical pens, so there is clearly a market. For tactical umbrellas too:

http://www.real-self-defense.com/umbrella1.html

But any reasonably tough pen will work. Or make your own!

http://www.joespens.com/projects/aluminum_pens/How%20I%20Made%20My%20Aluminum%20Pen.pdf
devophill

Looks like somebody is on the Bad Signal list.

I think Warren Ellis might have a good use for this pen, Cory too for that matter, but otherwise it seems like a “Mall Ninja Only” type thing.
Nijimei

Ahh but can you take it onto an airplane?? I’ve been waiting for security to confisticate my pencil case ever since I saw that CSI episode where the little girl killed the ol’ gramma with a pen.
slimsalmon

Don’t ya hate how the writing tip is always getting clogged with flesh on these things.
Anonymous

I have a Fisher pen too, much more stylish (60′s chrome, baby! MiB sure use this) reliable in any situation. Usually doesn’t need to stab people, anyway.
Takuan

get the pressurized refills (filled with human blood with heparin for smooth writing)
Fred H

“It’s a pen designed to be as reliable and durable as the people using it.”
Which means it would crumble into tiny pieces in my hand.
skrewgun

an artist friend of mine put a sharpened pencil through a muggers arm early one morning as he walked to work, allowing him to make a hasty exit. It only cost him 10 cents. If you use this pen in that manner you’ll have to remember to pull it out of your attacker or you will be out a good chunk of change.
Clayton Hove

You want these three projects written by morning!?

Fine. I’ll take a stab at it.
Gronk

@16: A strategic pen, eh? I raise you one and demand a logistical pen! Ha!

Oh, wait, that takes it back to where it started out, I guess. Dang.
eenerz

Great, now I won’t be able to take pens with me in my carry-on luggage either.
jornin

I can think of quite a few occasions when I used to work customer service that it would have be nice to know that I COULD HAVE stabbed someone in the face with my pen. Not that I would ever do it, but some days it would have been nice to know that it was a possibility.