By Miguel C. Gil

It is difficult to resist the urge of beginning this article with the over-used saying that “the pen is mightier than the sword!”

But the advent of the “tactical pen” has given a new and quite literal meaning to this old adage.

What are tactical pens, anyway? The simple answer is that they are pens with reinforced housings and tips designed for stabbing. They are often made of high durability steels or alloys that will not easily break. Aside from their defensive applications, most tactical pens are also fully functional ball-point pens!

Are they merely expensive gimmicks? After all, any disposable plastic pen can be used to inflict a fairly serious and certainly painful wound to your attacker. True, but most plastic pens will completely break into several useless pieces after a single vigorous stab. No good against a more determined attacker!

Another thing going in the tactical pen’s favour is that they often look rather benign when carried in your breast pocket. Most of them can supposedly pass through airport checkpoints with no trouble at all—at least for now. While we do not encourage this, it shows that it is still possible to legally carry some sort of defensive implement without security men fussing over you!

In the Philippines, there is no better place to buy high-quality tactical knives and pens than in X.O. Knives, located at CSB Bldg., 119 Sct. Dr. Lazcano St., Brgy. Sacred Heart, Quezon City. Those who frequent the Tomas Morato restaurant and coffee shop strip will have no problem locating this store.

Because X.O. Knives caters mostly to collectors and serious hobbyists, it carries only the most respected brands. Nino Lopez, co-proprietor of X.O. Knives, said that clients gladly pay not unsubstantial price tags for their products because they know they are getting top quality!

Meantime, Lopez’ partner at XO Knives Wacky Gochoco, who happens to be  a skilled shutterbug, sent Home Defense Journal photos of some high-end tactical pens that you will find at their shelves. He said that the ones pictured here, as well as similar products they sell, are typically constructed of aircraft grade aluminum with reinforced tips for use as an impact or pain compliance device.

Gochoco explained that some tactical pens even come with a “DNA collector” which is essentially a more aggressive crowning at the tip designed to scoop out skin and flesh! He does not recommend them for everyday use, however, advising clients to carry more traditional looking pens—which are less likely to attract attention. These pens also take ordinary Parker refills for logistical simplicity, he added.

With the election gun ban still in effect, it would seem that the tactical pen is one of the few defensive implements that law-abiding citizens can carry without fear of legal entanglements!