The Smooth Precision Pens Bolt Action Pen V2: The Full Nick Shabazz Review

Today, we're going to take a look at the first pen from Smooth Precision Pens, the Bolt Action V2, which combines many of the best parts of Urban Survival Gear's past work with a new kit and new approach to modularity and repairability.

[@KarlFarbman]

Just ordered the set. Thanks, Nick!

[@Sublime_visions]

Nice looking pen, thank you for posting Nick (:

[@GearingUp]

Going back and listening to the podcast episode where I had Kelvin on hits different now that this is out!! Great vid, Nick!

[@landonblazer3417]

Trying to avoid getting into pens, I have sucessfully avoided watches but this pen seems so nice

[@PaulyP_13]

Do the old timascus clips from USG fit in the new Smooth precision bolt/chassis? I have 2 different timascus clips and I would hate to have to get a new one just because I upgraded to the new system

[@ethandavis7310]

Strangely I reached out to USG directly in october to see if they had any unsold bolt V2s (V2 is my personal favorite model) as I couldn't find one secondhand, and I was never informed that they would be pivoting to these in the future. I eventually got what I was looking for secondhand, so I now have no reason to get one of these new ones. Weird

[@cavedog1279]

I really like the quality this company puts out and I enjoy both the v1 and the v2 I own. I have to say though that there was one very ugly thing I experienced with them, and that's the fact that the price of the v2 (or perhaps it was v3) went down by ~$40 about a week after I purchased mine, which had been on backorder for over half a year. I had really wanted the pen and even though I felt like it was overpriced at the time I decided to pay the price, and when it finally shipped then immediately went to a more affordable price it left a really bad taste in my mouth and I probably won't deal with them again because of it.

[@jo6u]

I bought the orange ceramic coated version and the paint texture is terrible.

[@danwright897]

I have owned a TiScribe V2 and Go, the Go is an amazing pen and my go-to pen. I have to say I am underwhelmed with the new pen, however. The price went up $50 from the Go, it got rid of the clicky top (which I think is great fun to fidget with), and he put much more obvious (and I think obnoxious) branding on the top of the cap and on the bolt carrier. The branding and price are two big knocks, and I'm really glad I got a Go before they sold out as I much prefer it to this new design. As for the new name, I get that Urban Survival Gear does sound tactical, but it also is kind of a cool way to describe EDC gear in an urban setting. It was a unique name and had some brand recognition. Smooth Precision Pens just sounds pretty bland by comparison. It's not a big deal, of course, and it certainly wouldn't keep me from buying the products if they appealed to me, but that's my take on it.

[@rross223]

I agree with all of your points but Kelvin also just announced that he will have a minimalist (in branding) version available soon.

[@chickenbutteater]

@@rross223 True, and it's available on the website now, but, and it's a big "but", the "minimalist branding" costs an extra $30 on top of the $50 increase from the TiScribe Go. They really just want to billboard their brand. There no chance that doing less work costs more money. It's basically the same model as Amazon making you pay extra to remove ads from your Kindle.

[@rross223]

@@chickenbutteater oh wow, did not know that they were going to charge more for the minimalist version... That's unfortunate.

[@edm2822]

Pens are great but I wish they would offer parts/support on previous models. Each version has pluses and minuses, but it would be nice to be able to get a V2 clip/screws if I needed them.

[@slugworthy1]

Hey have you ever reviewed Bremont watches?

[@ChrisCarries_EDC]

What type and size of set screw is it inside the pen?

[@Bit_Coin_Hundredair]

Great review Nick. Been looking for a good (tactical) pen for a long time. This one seems to be a good choice for me. Ordered the full kit already.

[@fossilimprint2954]

Don't "pen-alize me" LOL ! Thank you for this review, changing the company name is a brave step.

[@phottomatt4202]

These guys sent me an email offer "The SMOOTH Precision Pen Welcome Kit will usually retail at $299. But for a short time only, you can claim one for only $170. That’s a 57% saving. You’re welcome!" 🤔 I emailed them back to try and explain the mistake but Stacy from Customer Care just didn't understand, I gave up after 3 emails back and forth, one of which was a calculator screen shot she sent me that actually proved MY point.🙄

I think they confuse 57% OFF retail price, and 57% OF retail price. That extra f makes a big difference.

[@phottomatt4202]

@ the extra f always makes a difference 😜

[@phottomatt4202]

@ I did get a reply finally from Kelvin, they are going to fix it.

[@michaelmelling9333]

I recently bought a Bastion titanium and it cost me a little more than one/third of what this lovely pen you're reviewing costs. My Bastion is so well engineered that it's nearly impossible to see where the seem is, BTW. I will say that I do LOVE that this pen (you're reviewing) is made in the States!!

[@phottomatt4202]

I have a couple of those they are really nice but heavy.

[@jamesharper8373]

1/3? $99 on the website

[@michaelmelling9333]

@@jamesharper8373 I bought it from Amazon for $64.99 on September 1 and it's the titanium one.

[@bostonbladereviews919]

Very nice! What material is the pen made of? You may have said it. Just didn’t catch it.

[@elde667]

Ti

[@bostonbladereviews919]

@@elde667 nice thx brother!

[@ReticentSparrow]

Does anyone know what torx bit the Tiscribe Go uses, and where to get one with a shaft long enough to reach down the barrel to free the clip? I don't feel like buying a $100 bit-and-driver kit, buying a $170 "welcome kit," or watching all of the reviews just to find that one bit of information.

[@chickenbutteater]

It uses a T8 bit. I have a Wiha screwdriver/bit set (75093). The bit holder/extension that comes with it is long enough to reach the screw. Keep in mind the design of the screwdriver means you can't push too hard on it, since it's designed for the extension to slide in/out of the handle, but I just attach the extension to a iFixit driver if needed, the bits and extension are standard 4mm bits. Torque wrench seems unnecessary, I've had no issues hand tightening the set screw.

[@bigzach322]

@@chickenbutteater Have you had issues removing the internal set screw with the T8 bit? I recently got a pen on the closeout sale and have a Wera T-handle T8, but the driver slips when I try to loosen the screw. It feels like it might be stripped already, or maybe it's in there very tight?

[@ReticentSparrow]

So, is that torx bit and driver going to be compatible with pens like the Tiscribe-Go? We'll agree to disagree on the name change. Urban Survival Gear does have a Cold Steel sort of air to it, but I find it more interesting than Smooth Precision Pens. Naming stuff is hard, but I'm underwhelmed.

[@matusknives]

… especially if it tries to limit the range of products you may want to offer in the future

[@andreigolovik3047]

The site is also a huge downgrade. Looks like some scam site ripped from Alibaba

[@rhfactoruk]

...and what's with the fake reviews that all happen to have 4 star ratings lol, yet supposedly the kit has 128 reviews totalling 4.7 stars but you can't even read them

[@appleget]

He said on a livestream that the tools would be backwards compatible and work on the Go. I do think he makes the best pens possible but also agree that I'm underwhelemed.

[@danwright897]

@@rhfactoruk YES! I noticed this, too, and was very put off by it. I get that he sent out review units, but I'm pretty sure 128 people haven't received prototype versions and also gotten on his website to write reviews already. It is pretty suspect that you can only see 6 of the actual reviews on the pen page and they are all at least 4 stars.

[@Adam.297]

Thank you for the preview. Figured you would get one early this time as well, so I reserved my final judgment until I saw the video. Not a fan of this iteration, honestly. The less subtle branding and the bit hole on the cap are a pretty big turn-off for me, and the deal breaker. I'll stick with my trusty V3 mini for now.

[@ReticentSparrow]

Big Idea Design's new bolt-action pen seems to have something similar with the cap, but they have a cover for the hole. I also think it skips the obnoxious branding.

[@idle6619]

Totally agree! It looks like they saw the feedback, and now they are offering a version without all of the branding.

[@JadeGeminiM390]

SMOOTH OPERATOR…..SMOOTH OPERATOR 🎶🎶🎶

[@roulaison]

I'm not a pen guy. So I'm totally disqualified to state that if e.g. the Delica C11F would be sold for 250 bucks (In a package w/ a screwdriver and 2 washers for just 399 $), I would assume that Nick would call that "insanely overpriced" and ugly. But well, I'm not a penboy and probably just missing out.

[@maddilynpeterson4180]

He's gone heartless, he didn't apologize to hampton inn this time

[@thejackofclubs]

1:30 i caught that lol

[@Jasondranoff]

I have to be honest, I've had every version of his pen since the first one and this new design ruined more shirts and pants than I can count. When I put it in my shirt I somehow accidentally push it and the ink tip hits my shirt because of the nature of actuation and in my pant pocket how you would wear a knife. I sit down and I guess my hip pushes it and ink stains happen on my pants as well. Don't love the new design. The build and finishing is fantastic but I prefer their old actuation methods. Now I just keep it on my desk and I don't carry it.

[@ethandavis7310]

They should've stopped with the original V2

[@TheHumanFlag]

Andddddd they no longer exist

[@musc2002]

V3 was still the best one. This one is too short and too thin.

[@miertjestoer9525]

A bit expensive. The tactile only cost 99 dollar .

[@awebber33]

I guess they're great if you're going to review their products. For normal customers you don't get the same support.

[@MANversusGRAVITY]

IMO this pen is fine but overrated... Chaves, Billetspin, Autmog, Prometheus all make better offerings.