The Tactile Turn Side-Click Pen: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we'll take a look at a pen that couples great machining with a simple and reliable design that really clicks with me.

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Oh man I think those new clips are so much nicer than the older style. More modern looking.

[@seanarmstrong5797]

may be true but I don't like them in use as much.

[@paulhervey1017]

Nick, I was changing the ink and used your video to learn how. Unfortunately, according to Tactile Turn, you are NOT supposed to pop the button out to change the ink. In fact, you do twist the tip off for all of the pins, per Andrew at Tactile. When I popped the button back in I screwed it up and had to send it back to the company. They ended up sending me a brand new pen. Just thought you should know.

[@TheOGQuantumGamer]

so it's ribbed for a pleasureful writing experience?

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

It's a surprise bonus in case you accidentally sit on it.😂

[@johnd48]

Does it also warm up as you use it?

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

@@johnd48 It's not sounding like a joke anymore - Ewwww

[@davidmarshall7752]

The kicker is that the copper one smells like fish. No joke.

[@KitTihonovich]

The texture is surprisingly thin so you're likely right about the texture going away on the button after some use...I sanded the ridges off on my Zirc bolt and glider with fairly minimal sanding. Also...could Glady match your clip anodization as closely as possible for you if you wanted just let me know.

[@EVONLMessi10]

Exceptional Vid as usual Nick! I own both the Bolt Action & Side Click from TactileTurn and they're certainly my all-time favorite!!! Keep up the Great Work Brother and you've my full support🙏🏻😀🙌🏻⭐️💎

[@GatorCraze100]

Do you have a favorite out of the bolt action vs side click? I just purchased the bolt action and I feel like I should have gone with the side click as the bolt action is very hard to push down. I don't feel it is as easy as the videos portray - could be a wearing out process? Sucks if I have to return it as they have a 10% restocking fee and a $15 re-polishing fee since its copper. Just curious if you like the side click better.

[@HammerheadStarcraft]

If you could only keep this one or the Bolt Action, which is your pick?

[@mosherogoff1252]

Back to the future! Love my Fisher Astronaut Pen ... aka Space Pen :-)

[@KING-mw1zt]

Do u use any kind of correction tape?

[@dannyboyspace]

On the mini or short, is there any chance of accidentally hitting the push-button and retracting the point while writing? Seems like your hand might press up against the button depending on how you hold the pen. Thanks.

[@SimplyMenacing19]

Maybe on the mini but I have no issues on my short 👍

[@psps6623]

3:22 Instantly reminded me of the 90's and the Rainbow Fish, WHOA! :)

[@timyoungnc]

Wish they had a discount code to buy directly from Will. If buying from DROP you can’t get the clip engraved.

[@barkingspider2007]

Thanks for the video 😎👍

[@anteck7goat]

Got a side click and it had a few issues. I sent them a video and they quickly took care of me. Really happy with their customer support and sending me out another pen with return label.

[@jeffreydahmer3995]

Where was the Spyderco Delica size comparison

[@paulmonje6016]

The copper looks good, need it for my job! Besides is natural antimicrobial

[@zachstuff]

Have to say I love this pen more than the original bolt action!!! Keep the jokes coming!!!

[@Justafreesheep]

I really like the design of this pen, I have the titanium short one. The action of the button is just really awful though, it's actually unpleasant to use. It's gritty like rough metal scraping on rough metal, the sensation is bad enough that despite how awesome it looks I don't want to use it. Could be an easy fix if they polish the sides of the button rather than leaving them matte finished I think. I also have the bolt action and it's buttery smooth to deploy, and very enjoyable to fidget with.

[@BrittMasters]

Thanks for the head's up on the gritty action. I love this style of pen but was wondering about that specifically as I have an earlier kickstarter pen from TT that was like nails on a chalkboard with the awful action.

[@CDaniels93]

Wouldn’t it smooth out over time? Or is it just a flaw?

[@Justafreesheep]

@@CDaniels93 flaw for sure

[@MrAnakin1996]

If my understanding is correct that is something that happens with titanium a lot specifically. So your issue may only apply to their titanium ones.

[@abluecardigan]

@@BrittMasters I had this same issue from their OG long click pen. The maker actually saw a comment I left somewhere (on Reddit? I can't remember; I believe this was the first pen they ever made), got in contact with me, and sent me a new clicker. That relieved most of the issue, but it was still a little gritty until it broke in.

[@edm2822]

I really like the clip!

[@angelsarah442]

*Nick Shabazz* Perfect as always. Have a good day :p

[@914Rocky]

You know. The clip looks like the one on the urban survival gear t scribe bolt. Interesting.

[@bretts2048]

I was thinking the exact same thing!!

[@greenmushroom4258]

I really want the smaller one

[@clintonlewis1261]

Nice pens !

[@solstar4778]

What stores sell that brand especially in Houston Texas? $99-$209 🤔💲

[@NickShabazz]

Buy direct from TactileTurn. They're texas based :)

[@00Donkey00]

Great review! I agree about the clip. I'd be all over this if it had the same style clip as the bolt action pens.

[@ArmandoJF33]

is the spring made of titanium?

[@BuffaloNickel9]

Nope

[@ThyKlingdomCome]

THA PAHKAH JAHTAH!!!! love the accent haha

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Nice mechanism. Overly large screws for the clip detract from the visual balance of the design. 100 bucks for the pen seems fair for the work and the value in materials. 👍

[@ImDudePlayinADude]

100 for titanium makes sense, they must have a bigger Martin on copper and bronze

[@Richard_Barnes]

I tune in for the one-liners! 😂

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Maybe break out the caliper when you need to measure the width of a round object?

[@DevinBauer]

Good to see this review posted. Hopefully their QA is better than I experienced, one of my two had some pretty nasty burrs on the clicker that were missed in assembly and I had to remove, after that both pens broke in to be nice and smooth. I think the button and clip finish is an aesthetic choice and I happen to like the contrast. The clip design sucks though, screw depth is scary thin, hard to get in a shirt pocket compared to the original, and shallow depth make it a poor comparison to the original. That said I don't see how they could get a threaded cap in place to hold their original clip design within the dimensions of the current design and maintain a decent sized clicker, something has to give. The click action is a strong point of this design though, nothing else really compares.

[@dominiccampbell947]

Take a shot every time Nick says "Tactile Turn Texturing".

[@lkbasgiohbasg]

There is no G2 Mini refill, you need to buy the whole pen and remove the cartridge, which is pretty depressing.

[@user-ug1ir4lf5f]

Сколько стоит?

[@vlkafenryka788]

currently up on Drop for 79 as of 7/20/20

[@donnaellis3314]

What is DROP and can I please have contact info?

[@vlkafenryka788]

Donna Ellis drop.com it’s kinda like Groupon for gear ... item Y comes up for sale at a cheaper price the trade off is X number of people have to buy it and you have to wait a month or so to get it (in like 6 years i can only think of 1 item that didn’t make the quota)

[@914Rocky]

Sticking with the tactile turn bolt action. The clip ruined the clicky one for me.

[@drfunkinstein1]

I would need to have a pen for more than a week without losing it before I would spend more than $2 on one.

[@RogerRabbitt]

When you have an expensive pen you feel more inclined to not lose it

[@Pman-hz7tz]

Great pen, but I wish they offered a version with the milling just on the lower end where you grip it. I do own a copper bolt action and like it, but it does feel weird with the texturing on the entire length. Reminds me of finger nails on a blackboard. I might be the only one, but that is my opinion. Good heavy pen, appears to be a quality build, great reputation, I just don’t care for the feel in the fingers.

[@KitTihonovich]

Will the owner of Tactile Turn is super customer oriented...A small additional payment will get you a completely smooth pen with no ridges. I assume he'd do a half-ridged or tip-only as well but I don't KNOW that

[@Pman-hz7tz]

Kit Tihonovich thanks for the recommendation. I have heard their CS is outstanding.

[@bobcrane812]

Looks like a massdrop clip.

[@paolocatacutan4091]

No delica for comparison? 😆

[@ghostlierbat8150]

You sound like joey wheeler from YuGiOh

[@marcusouellette5567]

Great review. Disagree on the clip though. I actually love it.

[@nickschu9057]

I love the clip too. Been carrying it for several weeks and it hasn’t popped out of my pocket like the bolt action pen.

[@TundraMMV]

In the wrong hands, these are gonna drive co-workers nuts !!

[@starkparker16]

Does The Nick have synesthesia? 8:28

[@fivetide71]

Repeat this and repeat this and repeat this and Stu Stu stutter rap😎

[@eskee1]

Be nice if there was some follow through..

[@DEVGRUnotST6]

The new clips are definitely nicer, but the texture (in conjunction) will 100% tear your pocket apart.

[@FriENTlyFire]

Don't like this much. Love bolt pens but these side clicks just remind me of those shitty pens that retract by pushing the pocket clip (that always breaks off)

[@j1scott2s]

I bought one of these pens and when you click it to deploy the pen, it feels like there is sand or something in the action. Its a very rough mechanism. I would not recommend it.

[@dustingaddis2423]

Talk to Will @ Tactile Turn and I'll betcha he'll get it taken care of for you.

[@gmtmastertoo]

I think they need to break in. I bought three of these and they got better after some use.

[@davidmarshall7752]

I have a first run of the mini: the bolt is loose and rattles. It works and I use it but I'd like to get one that doesn't shake like a maraca

[@JohnC29]

"about , exactly" Unless I see calipers, I'll go with about.

[@NickShabazz]

Micrometer stayed in the drawer for this.

[@bfrazer4126]

@@NickShabazz You didn't need to measure you're hands for this review, so the approxometer will suffice. Haha I'm just kidding, it was just low hanging fruit. Love ya Nick.

[@danielsorrell1168]

I didn’t like this pen at all. My main problem was the diameter of the barrel. It was just too thick and made for an unpleasant writing experience. Secondly, I was not much of a fan of the “texture.” I would have preferred a smooth surface.

[@thomash4578]

We have a guy at work who likes these "figit spinner" type pens. Yeah he is pretty annoying

[@hakkerjah8276]

is he me

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

This might actually slow down the annoying pen clicker people.

[@hakkerjah8276]

i am slown down

[@eriknash8783]

the pocket clips just too bulky

[@peterlowell7963]

I E.D.C a pencil. Yes, a pencil. I'm to poor to afford a titanium pen. Anyone else E.D.C-ing a pencil?

[@herpallday1284]

Ehh suhh Jewish.

[@nukadog1969]

I accidentally got first upvote AND comment?! Not sure that's a good commentary on me. ;)

[@apoplastic3589]

Wrong website my dude :)

[@drameday]

I don’t get it. If a pen writes when I put it to paper, it’s a good pen. Some write better than others, sure, but even the cheapest bic writes legibly. I make a pretty good living, but I can’t see throwing a hundred bucks at a pen.

[@RogerRabbitt]

Bet you got a basic flip phone and 90s toyota that still runs fine because they just work the same

[@drameday]

Roger Rabbit : You’d lose that bet. My iPhone does things a flip phone can’t. My Raptor does things a 90s Toyota can’t. A fancy pen does exactly the same thing as a Bic.

[@DEVGRUnotST6]

@@drameday I think, right there, is where you started to crash in that argument. Your Raptor doesn't need a 6.2L V-8. You don't even need a pickup! The '91 Corolla is better on gas and gets you from A to B. If a vehicle has four wheels that turn reliably, it's a good vehicle. Right?

[@drameday]

@@DEVGRUnotST6 : You have no idea if I need a pickup or not. I do. I didn’t necessarily need a raptor, but I got a good deal on a used one. The Corolla you speak of would not get me from A to B when B is my hunting permit, miles from any paved roads. Buy whatever pen you want if it makes you feel warm and fuzzy.

[@DEVGRUnotST6]

@@drameday You have no idea if I need a $100 pen. Your argument holds no water, guy.

[@marvinjacobs7058]

crap for 99.00

[@renewman28]

How?