This Formidable, Affordable Bolt-Action EDC Pen Can Relieve Your Stress (and Save Your Life)

With stunning geometric etching on its anodized titanium body, this beguiling writing utensil is more than meets the eye.

By Sean Tirman

Published May 6, 2025

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Updated May 9, 2025

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Not all EDC pens are equal.

The highly affordable options are usually little more than plastic tubes with ink cartridges. Then, there are the pie-in-the-sky pens that balance form and function in a magnificent synergy of style and substance.

The Tacray Spinium falls squarely into the latter category. Not only does this everyday carry writing utensil boast a rock-solid, carry-friendly construction, but it also has some extra functionality ideal for fidgeters and survivalists alike.

Better still, it’s pretty remarkably affordable considering its specs. Yes, really.

Tacray Spinium EDC Pen in hand above keyboard — The Spinium’s titanium body boasts gorgeous geometric etching that doubles as a grip.

Style and substance

The Spinium is built tough as nails, courtesy of its solid titanium construction. It’s also lightweight, making it ideal for EDC usage.

But titanium pens aren’t a novelty on their own. So Tacray took it a step further with a dual-action bolt-style deployment that’s reliable, easy and fun to use. Yet even that isn’t wholly unique.

While this pen is available in bare titanium, it can also be had with blue or red anodizing.

So the brand took it a step further and added some stunning stylistic elements. While this pen is available in bare titanium, it can also be had with blue or red anodizing. Furthermore, it is offered with dual milled body patterns — DragonScale or Mech — that add grip, depth, texture and additional coloring.

That styling extends to the integrated pocket clip, a handy addition that enhances its EDC friendliness. The result is a pen that’s as sturdy as it is beautiful and dependable.

Yet, again, Tacray didn’t stop there…

Tacray Spinium EDC Pen deconstructed on desk — This pen is compatible with universally beloved Schmidt ink cartridges.

More than meets the eye

One of the Spinium pen’s greatest strengths is its compatibility with Schmidt ink cartridges. These cartridges are widely available, widely beloved and largely preferred by people in the everyday carry community.

However, its ability to write well is only one of its functions, even if it is the primary one. This writing utensil also has a built-in fidget spinner on its tail for those who like to keep their fingers busy while their brains work things out.

However, [this pen’s] ability to write well is only one of its functions, even if it is the primary one.

Just above that spinner, there’s another sneaky addition that could save your life in a pinch. The pen is topped with a Zirconia bead that can be used as a glass breaker, which can help you make a quick escape if you’re, say, trapped in a car and need to get out quickly.

While it might be too far to call this a multi-tool, the benefits of its additional functions are undeniable. Plus, wouldn’t you rather have them and not need them than the opposite? I would.

Tacray Spinium EDC Pen top closeup — The pen’s tail has a fidget-friendly spinner and a Zirconia bead that’s perfect for breaking glass in an emergency

Pricing and availability

The Tacray Spinium bolt-action EDC pen is currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter. However, as of this writing it has already raised nearly three times its goal, even with almost a month left in the campaign.

If you want to get in on the action, pricing starts at a mere HK$381 (roughly $50).