Best EDC Pens in 2022

First on our list is a pen that has been to space. Well, not this actual pen, but the same design. Paul Fisher first created the Bullet Space Pen back in July 1948. It is so-called because it was used by astronauts in space. Originally, these were made from solid aluminum, but now they are constructed from brass and a stylish chrome finish.

The first Bullet Space Pen is such an important piece in the art world that it is on display in the Museum Of Modern Art in New York for many years.

When is a pen more than just a pen? When it’s a Gerber Impromptu Tactical Pen. When you work in law enforcement, you never know when trouble is going to rear its ugly head. It could be round the corner waiting for you, as you read this review. This is why Gerber was inspired to design and construct this amazing little pen.

Although it is very short and will write just about anywhere in any conditions, thanks to its sturdy machined steel body and the Rite in the Rain ink cartridges; there is more to this pen than meets the eye.

The Zebra T3 Mini is next on our list and boy, this is a small pen. So small you may actually wonder if you will be able to write with it efficiently enough.  What makes it particularly special? That would be the metal barrel construction, as it feels incredibly durable. Additionally, even though it is small, it still has a certain weight to it when you hold it in your hand.

If you are looking for a compact and reliable writing tool for everyday use, whether you are on the move or stuck at the office; this Zebra T3 Mini is a cracking choice.

Another tactical pen on our list, this time from Columbia River Knife and Tool and an Amazon’s Choice product. With its incredibly reasonable price tag, this is one you should seriously consider if you like the idea of having a really nice pen for everyday use, but want something that will come in handy if you are facing an attack.

As with many of the pens on our list and many so-called tactical pens, on the surface this just looks like a normal…sophisticated but normal writing pen. And hopefully, that is the only function it needs to provide you with.

On the surface, when looking at the Grafton pen from Everyman, you could be forgiven for thinking it looks just like any other pen. The simple elegance of its design hides an expertly weighted and anodized aluminum pen body. Everyman’s goal with any of their products in their frankly, awesome range, was to make a better day, every day for people like you and me.

They took the click pen construction and stripped it bare to its essentials and then worked their way back up. So, looks really can be deceiving. This may just look like any other pen, but this just may be the last pen you ever buy – thanks to Everyman’s ‘buy for life’ design. For more cool options like this, check out our guide to the best gel pens.

Another take on the classic Fisher Space Pen is the next on our list. This time it is one with a completely brass construction and a slick and sophisticated, anti-scratch titanium nitride finishing in black.

Like other Fisher pens, this EDC can write in all manner of conditions and from any angle and will even write over grease, moisture, underwater and in zero gravity. If you find yourself upside down, for instance, and need to make notes or write a quick memo, Black Titanium Nitride Fisher Space Pen will never let you down.

EDC pens take many forms. For some people, it’s the writing capability and the feel of the pen that’s the most important thing. For others, it’s everything else that the pen can do to help them in an emergency situation. The TF TAKEFLIGHT Tactical EDC Pen is the ultimate EDC pen to have in an emergency. 

One of the most impressive things about this pen is the LED tactical flashlight. Everyone should have a flashlight in their EDC kit but it never hurts to have a backup. They don’t advertise exactly how many lumens this flashlight puts out but it’s useful for illuminating small areas. The second function that will come in handy is the bottle opener, which is revealed when you unscrew the pen in half. 

Parker makes some of the best pens on the market. If you’re looking for an affordable EDC pen that is designed just for writing, we’d highly recommend the Parker 1953170 Jotter Ballpoint Pen. It isn’t equipped with a bunch of tactical functions like some of the other EDC pens we’ve featured but for pure feel, this pen is hard to compete with. 

Made from stainless steel, the pen has a nice weight to it that makes it easy to press down onto the page. It has a very minimalist look that is interrupted only by the iconic Parker arrowhead clip. Because it’s relatively heavy, you could use this pen in some tactical situations (to break glass, etc.) but it’s really not designed for that. It uses QuickFlow ballpoint refill cartridges that let a steady stream of blue ink out of the tip, giving your writing or calligraphy a consistent look. Alternatively, you can use Parker gel refills.