If you thought that technology has made pens irrelevant, think again. Perhaps, for instance, you carry a pen for when a great idea occurs to you. After all, you never know when a fantastic idea will spring from your subconscious, right?
This could describe a whole array of individuals, ranging from a creative writer to a physicist. And when such an idea occurs your EDC (everyday carry) pen is there for you.
And, of course, everyone wants a good-looking pen, no? A pen that will make your coworkers jealous. There are, in reality, various factors to consider.
Some of the factors we will consider are functionality, price, and elegance. As far as functionality goes, we consider some pens that can break glass, enabling you to escape a car in an emergency. And also the tactical use of Self-Defense, when someone attacks you in close quarters.
As GearMoose puts it, “The best EDC pen, by design, can also serve as your last line of defense should your attacker find you unarmed and unprepared.”
Hopefully, you never need either of these features, however, it is better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them, right?
And we have done the research for you. So, let’s dive right in.
10 Best Bolt Action Pens for the Money:
1. Design Gifts Rifle Bullet Pen
Review
This bolt action rifle pen is definitely durable and makes a great gift. With a solid brass construction, durability is ensured. And the rifle pocket clip coupled with the gunmetal plate finish are good-looking. Thus, the pen is both useful and attractive.
- Solid brass construction
- Rifle Pocket Clip
- Gunmetal plate finish
What Consumers Are Saying
Most customers are satisfied with the attractive and durable design of this bolt action rifle pen. They also comment on what a great gift it is for gun owners and veterans.
- Durable
- Attractive
- N/A
2. Bastion Bolt Action Pen
Review
This 100% stainless steel bolt action pen is well made, durable, and attractive. Plus, as Bastion points out, their pen can also serve as a self-defense tool break glass. Well made, the stainless steel bolt action pen is both elegant and useful, what Bastion refers to as their “Aesthetic-Functional Balance.”
- Stainless Steel
- Self-Defense Tool
- Glass Breaker
What Consumers Are Saying
Consumers overall are satisfied with the Bastion pen. They, for instance, are impressed with how durable it is, even when it takes a fall.
- Durable Mid-Priced
- Multiple Functions
- Elegant
- N/A
3. Boker Plus 09BO079 Micarta Tactical Pen
Review
This bolt action tactical pen can not only write but also can be used in Self-Defense or to break glass in an emergency. Whether enjoying its comfortable grip while writing or utilizing the Plus 09BO079 Micarta Tactical Pen in an emergency, you will likely get your money’s worth with this pen.
- Visually-Appealing
- Breaks Glass
- Self-Defense Tool
- Comfortable Grip
What Consumers Are Saying
Overall, consumers are pleased with the Boker Plus 09BO079 Micarta Tactical Pen Thus, most of their feedback is positive.
- So Relatively Expensive
- Self-Defense Tool
- Comfortable Grip
- N/A
4. EKLOEN Solid Brass EDC Pocket Pen
Review
The small size of this pocket pen makes it a suitable EDC pen for sure. Whether enjoying its comfortable grip while writing or utilizing the Plus 09BO079 Micarta Tactical Pen in an emergency, you will likely get your money’s worth with this pen.
- Solid Brass
- Pocket-Sized
What Consumers Are Saying
Overall, consumers are pleased with the EKLOEN Solid Brass EDC Pocket Pen, providing positive feedback.
- Durable Inexpensive
- Easy to Carry
- N/A
5. SMOOTHERPRO Solid Brass Bolt Action Pen
Review
The small size of this pocket pen makes it a suitable EDC pen for sure. The balanced weight enables a long time holding and writing without discomfort. Thus, paperwork won’t be any more difficult than it has to be. And the SMOOTHERPRO is made of solid brass and thus durable. This pen has black ink.
- Solid Brass
- Balanced Weight
- Hollow out grip on six edges
What Consumers Are Saying
Overall, consumers are pleased with the EKLOEN Solid Brass EDC Pocket Pen, providing positive feedback.
- Durable No Pocket Clip
- Balanced Weight
- N/A
6. Richermall Steel Head Tactical Portable EDC Outdoor Tactical Self-Defense Pen
Review
Like the Bastion Bolt Action Pen, this aluminum pen is designed to be used for writing, self-defense, and breaking glass.
- Breaks Glass
- Inexpensive
- Self-Defense Tool
What Consumers Are Saying
Consumers overall are satisfied due to the affordability of the pen. That said, one cannot expect its aluminum construction to match the durability of a pen constructed of brass, right?
- Inexpensive Aluminum Construction
- Multiple Functions
- N/A
7. PSI Woodworking PKCPBAPAK 30 Caliber Bolt Action Bullet Cartridge Pen
Review
With the PSI Woodworking PKCPBAPAK 30 Caliber Bolt Action Bullet Cartridge Pen Kit Starter Package, with each pen there is a bolt action rifle clip and a replica 30 caliber cartridge and rose gold bullet tip. Thus, this Starter Package will be appreciated by the gun enthusiast in your life. That said, keep in mind that these are not completed pens. Additionally the pen blanks are sold separately. Plus, the kit is relatively expensive.
- Visually-Appealing
What Consumers Are Saying
Overall, consumers are pleased with the kit. Thus, most of their feedback is positive.
- Bolt Action Rifle Clip Pen Blanks Are Sold Separately
- Visually-Appealing Relatively Expensive
- Expensive
8. Valtcan Titanium Bolt Pen Tactical EDC Military
Review
This titanium bolt action pen features an ergonomic grip and finger grooves to enable a comfortable grip while writing. Like the Bastion Bolt Action Pen, this aluminum pen is designed to be used for writing, self-defense, and breaking glass.
- Breaks Glass
- Lightweight
- Durable
What Consumers Are Saying
Most consumers are pleased with the Valtcan Titanium Bolt Pen Tactical EDC Military pen, providing positive feedback.
- Lightweight Relatively expensive
- Multiple Functions
- Durable
- N/A
9. Cool Hand M.T.A.P 4.4” EDC Tactical Bolt Action Pen
Review
Another tactical pen, the M.T.A.P. stands for More Than a Pen. Plus, it is manufactured out of high-grade Aircraft Aluminum, ensuring durability.
- Durable
- Glass Breaker
What Consumers Are Saying
Most consumers are pleased with the Cool Hand M.T.A.P 4.4” EDC Tactical Bolt Action Pen, finding both the pen’s price and durability impressive.
- Well made
- Multiple Functions
- Durable
- N/A
10. GP 1945 Bolt Action Pen PRO Pen
Review
Commemorating the end of World War II, this bolt action pen is manufactured out of high strength TC4 grade Titanium. Like some of the other pens we discussed it features a glass breaker. Plus, it features a multi-tone whistle for both enjoyment, or if need be, for an emergency.
- Giftable
- Glass Breaker
What Consumers Are Saying
Most consumers are pleased with the GP 1945 Bolt Action Pen PRO Pen, despite its relatively high price.
- Well made Relatively expensive
- Multiple Functions
- Giftable
- N/A
Why are Bolt-Action Pens Popular
Bolt action pens, in fact, became so popular that Popular Mechanics declared that they were the ‘most badass way to write’ in the 2016 article “A DIY Bolt-Action Pen Is the Most Badass Way to Write”.
Yet obviously purchasing a pen rather than crafting one is a more practical choice for the majority of you.
As far as usage goes, we have discussed pens with multiple uses including breaking glass and Self-Defense.
For example, if you and your loved ones are ever trapped in a car, the glass breaking feature of a bolt action tactical pen such as the Bastion Luxury Bolt Action or Boker Plus 09BO079 Micarta will come in handy.
And it is always good to be prepared since we never know when an emergency will strike. And we better be prepared when it does, no? As Ben Franklin put it, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
The same goes for using a tactical pen as Self-Defense. As avid hunter and firearms enthusiast Sean Holt points out in the USA Carry article “How Tactical Pens Could Save Your Life” points out, “in a close-quarters environment, a tactical pen actually has several advantages that items like knives or melee weapons would lack.”
One such advantage is breaking chokes. It’s amazing when you think about it: your wise selection of a pen may literally be a matter of life or death.
Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Bolt Action Pen
And, in reality, there are various factors to consider when buying an EDC bolt action pen. The most important include functionality, price, and elegance.
Price
As for price, we all have a budget, right? With that consideration, the Design Gifts Rifle Bullet Pen is definitely worth your consideration.
Its durability coupled with features like a rifle pocket clip and a gunmetal plate finish distinguishes this pen from others.
Style
As for elegance, who doesn’t want a good-looking pen?
And the elegance of a Bastion Bolt Action or the less expensive BASTION Luxury Executive Bolt-Action Ballpoint Pen. Both great choices.
Design
Lastly, however, pen selection is a personal choice, and you should list which factors most to you. If you, for example, do a lot of paperwork, you may prefer the comfortable grip of a Boker Plus 09BO079 Micarta Tactical Pen.
In the final analysis, it may all seem like a lot to take in, but there are all quality knives that you can not go wrong with. However, we prefer the Design Gifts Rifle Bullet Pen.
It, after all, is good-looking, inexpensive, durable, and well-liked by customers. And for these reasons, we consider it the best bolt action pen. That said, it does not feature the tactical capabilities that some of the pens have.
But just how effective can a tactical pen be?
As Phil Elmore points out in a Personal Defense World article, “A sturdy metal pen can be jammed into an attacker’s eye or throat. Or even jammed with great force into the chest, arm or the top of the hand to create a reaction. That reaction can range from a moment’s opening for a follow-up punch or kick to completely neutralizing the attack.”
As brutal as this may sound, in a dangerous encounter an assailant must be incapacitated as a matter of survival.
Making the Decision
All that said, hopefully, you will not be in such a dangerous situation. In contrast, you can use your bolt action pen to complete that paperwork. hope this article has helped guide you in the right direction. Do a bit more research and buy the best bolt action pen you can find. An elegant and attractive pen that you can get years of reliable use from.
