The Machine Era Field Twist Pen: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we'll take a look at a twisty pen which is pretty well done: the Machine Era Field Twist Pen.

[@David.Buckheister]

I actually like the orange accent, but I think it's worth mentioning that they offer other models including a black with black twist knob.

[@MobiuSphere]

I think this is the first pen that you have reviewed that I truly want. Usually it's outside my price range or just not appealing to me, but something about that orange and charcoal really speaks to my Aesthetics, price be damned

[@monkeyfaceII]

MobiuSphere yeah it’s a nice looking pen

[@ulvschmidt7174]

"Throw in a schmidt easy flow if you hate yourself" thats some serious shade

[@briand7489]

Ive always like the easy flow 9000, good for writing and doodling.

[@starkparker16]

I have a 10 pack of the Schmidts. I'm sad to learn that I hate myself with the burning fury of a thousand suns.

[@briand7489]

@@starkparker16 What do you like more? All the pilot g2 gels have a hard time working for lefties (which I am).

[@starkparker16]

@@briand7489 I've only used the Shmidts and the stock Jotters. Now I'm thinking about my inferior 10 pack, developing refill anxiety. And learning to hate myself.

[@monkeyfaceII]

ulv schmidt next level salty

[@tuckerhazel]

So glad you brought up cartridge play aspect. My biggest issue with the Parker Jotter is how much play there is when I write. I wish I could carry my Rotring Rapid Pro in-pocket but it sticks out too much and has accidentally deployed a couple of times. My favorite part about it is the lack of play as you write (as to be expected with a drafting pen). Easily one of the biggest factors when I'm looking for a pen! Just ordered this after your review and I'm looking forward to getting it. I'll add this to people who are actually reading my comment, I dig the DLC Black/Orange Tip. It's different enough to not be one solid color and helps it stand out on a black surface or dark table. The twist is pretty easily operated one-handed and I hold my pen towards the lower portion of the straight profile before it tapers (so I agree the indents should be a little lower). I wish the clip was a little deeper carry, but I carry it in my right jeans pocket so it isn't the biggest deal. By far the biggest pro is no accidental deployments, you won't accidentally twist this pen into extension.

[@timyoungnc]

Recently bought this model in stainless steel with the black twist cap. I really like it, the size and weight is perfect!

[@teri526]

I love your commentary. Thanks.

[@Thisguydoesstuff]

My assumption on why the twist section is orange is for visibility, for better or for worse. I could see it being easy to spot in a dark pocket of a backpack, or on a dark floor. Would probably be a good fit for my range bag or on a job site, but less so in a meeting. Great review Nick, as always!

[@dustingaddis2423]

Yep. As a guy who's done a lot of surveying at manufacturing plants, high visibility writing instruments are nice. I've dropped a pen from the 4th floor of a chemical plant where the floors are all grating, so the pen went all the way down to the ground. After making the trek down to the ground floor - high visibility is a good thing!

[@monkeyfaceII]

ThisGuyDoesStuff there is a reason why so many tools are orange in construction haha (homedepot pencils for example)

[@rabbivj]

I bought this pen based on yer recommendation. I freakin love this thing!

[@fender811]

They have different color options available, including no orange

[@humanfirst11]

Hi Nick, great review! I would like to know which Machine Era pen you like best? Classic, Markup or the Field Twist?

[@johobo2038]

The part that sticks out of the pocket resembles a dummy round for dry practice with firearms. I knew it looked like something but it didn’t hit me until you held it showing that part alone. Still a solid looking pen and a great review as always.

[@joelhansen7373]

That’s a gem in my estimation, at least for me.

[@azhawk516]

I really like this pen it is very nice. I really like the Monte Verde Gel refills. They are my favorite Parker style refills. The broad really lays down the ink.

[@dm3639]

I'm also not a fan of the contrasting twist nubbin and we aren't alone. They have 4 colors listed on their site, 3 with contrasting nubbins, 1 all black. Guess which one is sold out?

[@RMiller_Electrical_Engineering]

"I dont wear a pocket protector.....ehhhh.. my wife has limits" I feel like a lot of us would use them because they are so practical, but the people that love us stop us from being overly practical.

[@thomaznadeau9930]

Loved this pen until I dropped it once, it broke. I got another one. No surprise, dropped it again and it broke. Both drops were about three feet on tile. Took the clip off to put on Machine Era Original Brass with Schmidt Fineliner.

[@LorenzoNW]

I like the color combination. The orange is unique plus it makes the pen easier to find on my occasionally messy desk. But I just checked the website and this color combination is no longer offered.

[@jakass]

It do be back

[@shaunpearson7905]

After watching a review of a $3K Namiki Vermillion "Emperor"...this is weird.

[@cp3onmtv963]

Where else can I find twist to pens?? I’m wanting one with a more traditional look, sleek silver/gold casing... im new to this and not a big fan of clicker pens (especially in purses). Searching “twist to open pen” has actually garnered pretty slim results!

[@foomannchu]

faber-castell ondoro ballpoint, baron fig squire and retro '51 tornado are good starting points. etsy will occasionally have machined, twist pens.

[@sciencestuff699]

Cross makes some twist pens with traditional look (also silver/gold plated), but some people say, that they used to be better, the newer ones are not so great.

[@clintonlewis1663]

yeah i agree, a little expensive and the orange tip not great, nice pen though.

[@pesarirooni62]

It’s actually the orange that brought me here 😁

[@pendulousphallus]

I'm willing to pretend that orange nubbin has some functional value for ease of locating the pen when dropped in the field considering its name. That might also be why its got a little extra meat at the top for you to be able to fetch it whilst wearing gloves. I recognize this is a stretch, but I'm trying to figure out just what in the world a field pen is supposed to be.

[@dominiccampbell947]

You've got to admit though it though, field pen sounds better than tactical pen.

[@pendulousphallus]

@@dominiccampbell947 So far as I understand it, tactical pens are made to be used as a weapon whereas field pens are made to withstand the rigors of a job site. I'm almost certainly wrong though.

[@914Rocky]

Having lost two machine era classics now, I’m giving the slightly larger one a try.

[@914Rocky]

Plus I hate the cap on the classic. Takes too long to deploy for occasional EDC use.

[@randyf.9188]

You had me interested until you said 75 bucks. I'm not a pen guy, but seems a little high. Any recommendations around 50?

[@garyhendrick4391]

Lol, read this and went looking for knives

[@randyf.9188]

@@garyhendrick4391 👍

[@gmtmastertoo]

now I feel bad for buying the prometheus alpha for $250

[@randyf.9188]

@@gmtmastertoo For 250, I would rather have a knife. That's just me, to each his own. 👍

[@garyhendrick4391]

@@randyf.9188 Oh look! An Al Mar Eagle Talon

[@DreBluntz]

No link to purchase?

[@bieberninja1]

it's not even 5 inches long, what was the point? they should have made it to only take a propietary refill while they were at it

[@Richard_Barnes]

How dare you! 😂 Schmidt Easyflow are a great refill. Do you really dislike them? lol

[@jamesbarisitz4794]

Looks like a ferro rod fire starter. Sand the orange top cap down 400 through 1000 grit then hand polish with Autosol and paper towel. 30 mins approximately. 👍

[@player1dad808]

To me the orange reminds me of the safety of a gun, you have to switch it to use it.

[@monkeyfaceII]

player1dad hopefully the next version has full auto

[@rafaelreig8246]

I actually paid $65 for it. And I like the orange detail.

[@monkeyfaceII]

Rafael Reig pretty good price in my opinion

[@rafaelreig8246]

Carlos EDC 😃👍🏼

[@ricktemmen6272]

First. Nice review Nick, thanks 😎👍

[@914Rocky]

Love the pen but it’s heavy. Really heavy for its size. Too heavy for a daily use pen for me. But I love the pen immensely.

[@Cobesdanktoes]

A crazed Shabazz busts in room breaking down the door: "DID SOMEONE SAY SLYSZ BOWIE"

[@kyleralph1778]

They call it a field pen the orange I'd probably for if you drop it out in a field you can see it in the grass

[@zoo2you]

Strange knife.

[@RoyaleWitCheese04]

So like, I can’t take this seriously. This pen is ass