Why This Unique Type of Pen Is the Ultimate EDC Companion

Sadly, the art of writing by hand is a dying one. It’s just gotten too easy for everything to stay digital. Even taking down simple notes has largely been relegated to phone keyboards and mobile apps.

But handwriting has some profound benefits. Studies show that it can help you recall information and improve your learning ability. It also feels more personal, corporeal and genuine. As an avid EDC enthusiast, I try to bring a pen everywhere — just in case.

But having the right tool for the job can make all the difference. And it’s hard to beat the unique combination of deployment, security, reliability and oddity of bolt-action pens.

Tactile Turn

The magic in the mechanism

Carry a commonplace pen in your everyday carry for long enough and you’ll start to notice their shortcomings. Capped pens are secure in your pocket but require two hands (or one very deft hand) to operate. Clickers, by contrast, are much better for single-handed operation but are too easily accidentally deployed when stored (I have the ink stains in my jeans to prove it).

Bolt-action pens, for me, have always been a happy medium. They’re plenty secure in transit, but they’re also easy to use with one hand when you need them. That’s because of how they operate.

Borrowing their mechanism from rifles, they utilize a side-mounted, spring-loaded lever for tip deployment. However, that lever has to be purposefully shifted into place for this to work. The tension of the spring prevents the lever from sliding unintentionally.

That means they’re much less likely to accidentally deploy and don’t require a second hand to prepare them for use (as with a cap). They also have a fidget-friendly bonus: They’re fun to play with.

The Ridge

The joy of careful design

Bolt-action pen deployments are somewhat unusual mechanisms. Designers don’t typically employ them by accident. Bolt-action pens are, as a result, designed mainly by people who love what they do.

This often has a trickle-down effect on the rest of the pen’s design. Because the designers care about the deployment mechanism, they also care about the rest of the tool — the materials, the cartridge compatibility, the overall style, and so forth.

As such, the pens are often produced to a higher quality than plastic clickers you’d get in a bulk box at a big-name retailer. That’s not to say disposable ones aren’t good — some of the best pens ever made are mass-produced. It just means bolt-action pens are usually higher quality overall and are made to last for years.

My favorite bolt-action pens

As I said earlier, having the right tool for the job can make all the difference. Not every bolt-action pen will suit every person. Thankfully, there are quite a few options available. To give you a better idea of what’s out there, I’ve selected some of my favorite bolt-action pens for you to check out below:

Nitecore

Nitecore NTP31 Bolt-Action Pen

• $26 at Nitecore

One of the most affordable, approachable bolt-action pens on the market, Nitecore’s NTP31 Bolt-Action Pen is both an old standard and a fan favorite.

It’s made from sturdy, lightweight aluminum alloy and has a tungsten steel-point window breaker on its tail for emergencies or self-defense. It’s compatible with Schneider Gelion+ ballpoint pen refills.

The Ridge

The Ridge Bolt-Action Pen

• $65 at The Ridge

There are numerous things to love about The Ridge’s Bolt-Action Pen. It has a thicker body than most writing utensils, making it easier to grip, especially for those with larger hands. It’s also available in numerous colors and materials, including aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber and even 24-karat gold.

It’s compatible with any standard Parker pen cartridge and comes with a Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 medium ballpoint.

Tactile Turn

Tactile Turn Bolt-Action Pen

• $99 at Tactile Turn

While I wouldn’t call it a huge community, this brand has established itself as a time-tested, trusted brand in the world of EDC pens. That’s largely because of the Tactile Turn Bolt-Action Pen.

This sturdy, beautiful pen is available in four materials — titanium, copper, bronze and zirconium — and three lengths. It can even be customized with a Damascus steel bolt and clip engraving. Depending on your chosen length, this pen is compatible with Pilot G2 and Schmidt EasyFlow 9000 cartridges.

Modern Fuel

Modern Fuel Bolt-Action Pen with Clip

• $99 at Modern Fuel

My favorite thing about Modern Fuel’s Bolt-Action Pen is that the deployment mechanism and the clip are one and the same, streamlining the whole design. Interestingly, that also makes it a little more secure, as it’s even harder to accidentally deploy when it’s in your pocket.

This gorgeous bolt-action pen comes and is compatible with Monteverde P42 refills.

Big Idea Design

Big Idea Design Slim Bolt-Action Pen

• $100 at Big Idea Design

This brand’s original bolt-action pen is great, but the Big Idea Design Slim Bolt-Action Pen is even better. It boasts all the same great features but a much more slender profile, making it easier to carry with the rest of your EDC.

It’s also available in numerous materials and finishes (some of which increase its price), including titanium, brass, copper and zirconium. It’s also compatible with over 100 refill types, making it extremely versatile.

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