Budget Tactical Pens - Zebra Pens Torture Test

I think tactical pens are a good EDC item but is stainless Zebra pen as good as a more expensive purpose built tactical pen? I bought 4 different Zebra pen models, including the X-701 (Zebra calls that one "the toughest pen around") to do some torture testing to see just how tough they really are.
Buy the Zebra F701 here on Amazon: amzn.to/37QeTyD
(This is the one I carry when I fly)
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Customize your Impromptu Pen at Gerber Gear: alnk.to/clQ2UqH
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[@molonlabe9602]

F-701 with a Fisher Space ink cartridge is the way to go. You get a strong all metal pen that writes at any angle for a bit over $15.

[@donaldcarr8766]

Well presented with a bit of humour and answers an interesting question.

[@m_requiem5267]

Thanks for the review mate, just got myself a F701.. as it seems like a real solid pen for edc.. The torture field test was hilarious imagine someone passes by and they be thinking.. lol

[@perryvath7617]

I have an F701 at work, at home, my car, and my daily carry in pants pocket. Looks like a normal pen, because it is.

[@aleisterbroley900]

I've always loved Zebra pens, especially their little compact ones. Unfortunately, I need to replace all my gels with ballpoints for my Rite In The Rain notebooks

[@shadowx8405]

They a bit on the expensive side, as far as pens go, but they are the only pens/mechanical pencils I will use are Rotring. Brass construction. The barrel is an octagon, so it won’t slide if you set it on a slope (they are drafting pens/pencils), and they survive me. Trust me, that’s a monumental feat! Never broken one. LOST dozens, over the years, but NEVER broken one... lol. They cost about $35 to $45, depending on where you buy it. They are tough, and surprisingly comfortable to hold. Tough as nails.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Cool

[@glenmo1]

I have the all metal zebra pen as my self-defense pen... One thing I might mention is that some checkpoints may NOT allow a "TACTICAL" looking pen through a checkpoint! .. the zebra passes all checkpoints with flying colors! I have never had a problem

[@tibzig1]

I always carry my Zebra everywhere. I did a test with it on a slab of meat. It was sobering. This writing instrument can cause serious injury.

[@cockamamiebumfuzzle9331]

Andrew from the Ranger Survival and Fieldcraft channel carries the cheap zebra pens. He says they are not as suspicious as carrying a tactical pen. He’s a Ranger in the Army. Also, investing in precious metals including platinum , gold, silver, and even copper are better than playing the lottery. The lottery is designed to take your money and precious metals may fluctuate in price but usually always go up in price.

[@jamesdunn-cn5ev]

Looks like I am several years late on this, but..... Here is my test. 1. Writing on normal paper. Gel loves it. Fisher looks globy. 2. Writing on Write in rain paper. Gel ink doesn't like this stuff. 3. Writing on duct tape 4. Writing on something slick. They make some interesting tape, and plastic. The only thing I have found so far is sharpie markers. 5. Writing on glass, again, this is marker only territory. 6. Then writing on same stuff, but on a wall. Mostly I am writing on targets and on things people hang on walls. 7. Let's warm things up. 110 F to see how they write. 8. Let's cool things down. I think my freezer will go to 0 F. Maybe we can find a way to go -0 F, That helps us know what ink and ink cartridges are good. Then we are looking at the body. 9. I don't think I have ever dropped my ink pen from very high, but I have bent them in my pocket. I have no idea how much weight a pen will take. I am curious now. So, pile some books or build a 2x4 setup and hang a dumbbell on some spider wire. Let's take a standard pen body and break it. Any tactical pen should be better than a standard plastic and even a parker, right? 10. Then, I see it the same as a gun-mud test. I will drop my pen in the water. I will drop it in sand. I will drop it mud. 11. The drop test on hard surface is an extreme test. I am not sure any pen is going to survive a 40 foot drop on concrete without damaging the pointy end unless it has a cap on it. Then the evaluation of special functions. 12. I think the most used special function is a light. And it doesn't have to be amazing for it to be functional. 13. Then comes the break glass functions. 14. If I get to the point of poking anyone...well, I think I would be much better finding something else to fight with.

[@shadowx8405]

Cool episode 👍

[@jeffpatterson8633]

Which gloves you wearing?

[@tacticalfireman9673]

Cool test, you know I can be a critic. This was a cool video. I have a Schrade tactical pen

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Thanks

[@kristybishop4]

I only use the zebra 301 for well over 25yrs (trucking log book, taxes, every day use). I trust it way more than any other pen!!!!

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

As long as you don’t expect it to do other stuff it is a great pen.

[@kristybishop4]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose my knife has a window breaker. I do wish they would make them like they did in the 90's the shaft was all metal and so was the ink cylinder, the only plastic was the band that held the tab clip to clip it to your shirt pocket.

[@williamyoung369]

F701 is a good, solid, all metal writer. I prefer the Sharpie S-gel all metal because of the great look & the writing is the best, even better than a Pilot G2 limited all metal.

[@jbelme1]

Zebra is the only pen I’ll put in my shirt pocket. Very durable and not too long.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Cool

[@thejoelvic]

That what she said

[@AggyGoesOutdoors]

Hey this is a great idea, I always lose my pens so my tactical pen cost 95p (about a $1.30) this way I have many spares. You could try using a pork joint for a stab test. I might try this myself and see how my cheapie holds out.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Go for it

[@khwamtay6459]

The f701 zebra pen and pencil is all I carry and unlike the tacticool pens I have never had a problem taking them on a plane. Oh and best place to still find them is amazon they even have a marker

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

That is the pen I carry when I have to fly. Although the term "tacticool" is usually used as a derogatory way to put something down, I think a purpose built tactical pen is a legitimately useful item to carry.

[@reconty2133]

Great review! You are a true scientist!

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

I try

[@molonlabe9602]

I have a 701 in all my bags and insist that my wife carry one too. Always have one with me available for use. I just ordered 3 more from Amazon for $18, tax included.

[@allenelam6135]

Good morning, Never expected the Zebra pens to be able to handle the same damage as the Gerber. But nice to see that you verified what I expected. Thanks Brian.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

It was just a fun video to see how tough they really are.

[@w.scottyorr5099]

I’ve been carrying the F701 everyday for a long time. Never had a reason to chunk it up in the air in the parking lot🤔, but it will back someone out of your personal space when you go poking them with it. And... it’ll never get a second glance at airport security.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

I carry an F701 if I am flying.

[@恙恙]

In Japan, you might be arrested by cops if you brought a combat stick longer than 3 Inches. So Zebra is made breakable.

[@johnnyr701]

A bit unfair to test a regular pen against a tactical pen, zebra is no substitute for a true tactical pen but I can get a zebra into a sporting event, courthouse, airport/plane. Tactical pens have tactical written all over it and will be taken from you in a heartbeat these days. A friend of mine actually had to use a zebra in a fight and he put the guy on the ground with it. It’s a tool, one tool. Sometimes it will work other times not but it’s better than nothing.

[@robertvondarth1730]

Thanks for sharing that, silly question - What is a tactical pen for?

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

All I can give you is my take in the subject. For me, a “tactical” pen is a pen that can be used as a “less lethal” defensive weapon if needed and maybe a glass breaker if you need to rescue someone (or yourself) from a vehicle. Since I think it is handy to carry a pen anyway, I like the idea of a pen with additional functionality.

[@kevinsmith9142]

Schrade makes a budget friendly tactical pen. I paid $26 for the one I purchased and even more budget friendly was the black Jack tactical pen. I paid $12.99 on eBay for that one. I did pay $39 for my Maxpedition tactical pen.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

I have tested and reviewed several Schrade tactical pens here. Most of them require you to unscrew a cap to use them. That gets on my nerves. Others have no flat end for your thumb when striking. Same with the blackjack. The Gerber is the best I have used so far, even though it is not perfect either.

[@eurohit]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose Maxpedition Spikata SS is my fav pen for EDC. It has the tightest, strongest, deep carry clip. Comes with extra (blunt) striking head. Aluminium version is the same. Lighter and its anno chips off. Tried Hinderer Investigator and imho it's a waste of money. Chinese $15 brass Hinderer (bigger copy that fits parker refill) is a better pen than original. Only the clip doesn't fit my taste.

[@marknorwood7521]

Zebra pens used to be the ONLY pens I would buy, but they're getting hard to find. I always bought them(and the refills)at WalMart. First it got where I couldn't get the refills, so I would just buy more pens(2 pks). Now my local WalMart doesn't even carry the pens anymore either.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

I bought these on Amazon. (I held my nose while I did it)

[@aleisterbroley900]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose I find them at Walgreens a lot these days.

[@michaelmelling9333]

I used to recommend Zebra pens but then I had two of them literally crumble in my hands, so no more of those for this old boy.

[@mmgoodwings3981]

Great idea! Thanks Brian!

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Any time!

[@Macman608]

Like the gloves. What brand are they?

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Mechanix Fast fit

[@Macman608]

Much appreciated.

[@rtaylor61]

Those are good, but I like my Freetoo and Sullivan.

[@binnsbrian]

That stone is marble, Marble is very porous with holes like an Arrow chocolate bar. Very soft and weak. You could break it with blunt stick.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

True

[@jonathanjose6531]

I carry a tactical pen because of its durability, you can drop it, sit on in, step on it and it witt be just fine

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Yep

[@blee4973]

I like the video. You may want to use a hammer and use the pen like a nail to help save your thumb.

[@yourfilipinotv6477]

Same as with crap flashlights and crap knives, can't rely on them.

[@Standswithabeer]

i can't believe i watched this, lol. I'm gonna get me sum tactical chopstix. :)

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Actually, there are several options out there for "tactical" chopstix.

[@Standswithabeer]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose lol...i've seen them; the 'tactical' world is always full of surprises. Next will be 'death by a thousand cuts' ... in a paper mill! :) Great video on the pens!

[@loti1488]

G'morning to you too, good sir.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Good morning

[@Freddy-Da-Freeloadah]

OK... How about Fisher Space Pens? Pokka pens? And there must be a G2 plastic pen out there.... Personally I like Pentel RSVPs and Flairs. And Sharpies (permanent marker and regular pens). I carry a Fisher Space pen, but it does not write very well... My dentist gave me a pen that is GREAT, but I don't know the brand... It writes GREAT on a "Write-In-The Rain" pad. That's another test: Waterproof pads: does it write on them? Waterproof note pads could be considered a tactical item (not that you will kill anyone with it, but they are durable, and unique so they don't get lost as easy as other pads. ) IMHO

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Fisher pens are great, but not necessary i as tough as needed for a “tactical” use. I personally don’t like having to unscrew a tip every time I want to use a pen. By the way, my Gerber has a Rite In The Rain refill that works great in wet conditions.

[@davidglazener7921]

Thumbs up!

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Thanks again!

[@semco72057]

The Gerber pen is a true tactical pen and I have three survival kits which came with a tactical pen in each kit and they are better than the one Gerber gives you. The pens you have there testing are not tactical pens, but just regular writing pens. The true tactical pens will also break glass, along with being used for writing and I love the ones I have since they use Parker refills which I love.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Cool

[@imbadwrench]

When I first started working Retail I was buying Zebra pens at walmart. they are trash. There is a solid brass Pen that they sell on ebay for about $13. Its not "tacticool" but its near indestructible and it writes nice which is most important.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

What is it called ?

[@imbadwrench]

Solid Brass Pocket Rollerball Pen Retro Collectible Ballpoint Pen

[@imbadwrench]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose ROUND MODEL.

[@imbadwrench]

Just keep in mind guys. My priority was having a quality writing instument. it takes Parker Jotter refills... but its extremely durable compared to what SOP was testing.

[@alexs.4290]

That's why I always use a pencil

[@Freddy-Da-Freeloadah]

A Tactical Pencil: The only round where the energy is FULLY ABSORBED by the target. I know because I was stabbed in the hand with a pencil when I was 7, and the lead was in my hand for 10 years! IMHO

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Luke John Wick.

[@ozziejim8472]

A pig carcass An abandoned car There are better options for a better test. Just my 2 cents. Thanks anyway

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Of course there are. But this is not Demolition Ranch. I have a very limited budget. And the last time I damaged an “abandoned”. At I was about 16 years old and wound up having to pay for the windows.

[@charleshastings9452]

wtf is a tactical pen ???

[@jimwright3465]

I feel these would have all performed better in a gizzard stabbing test.

[@SurvivalOnPurpose]

Again with the gizzards .....

[@jimwright3465]

@@SurvivalOnPurpose In defence they probably would have performed better with The gizzard test.