“Transform a 13¢ Bic Pen into a Pocket-Sized EDC Essential in 10 Minutes! 🖊️✨”

[@wildbill23c]

In school I used to take the Bic Round Stick pens, cut the back off and take a 2nd pen of either blue or red, take the ink refill out and put in the back of the one I cut the back off of, gave me 2 colors in one pen.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@wildbill23c - That's an extremely cool idea. Thanks for taking the time to post it...

[@MCSS7]

Same, I'd use it for notes instead of highlighting just flip over to the red side etc.

[@adamh843]

i've been doing this for 10+ years. you might want to fold a piece of scotch tape over the end of the ink tube you cut. trim the excess tape from the sides of the tube. however, this past year, i started using the cheap Pokka Pens (like $12 for 8 of them). i was very pleased to find that i can "refill" them with the ink tubes from these bic round stick pens. also, about a year ago, i started doing something similar to your pocket rack (but much more crude). i take a used or empty gift/credit card. wrap gorilla tape around it once length-wise. use hand-held, single hole-punch to nip 3 evenly spaced notches in each side. wrap a quarter inch wide "ranger band" around the card length-wise. tie a tight loop of bank-line around the card width-wise using the notches in the middle of each side. for the other notches, i use "hair-bands" wrapped around twice. very crude compared to your pocket rack but that's how i found you. i went looking to see anyone had done anything similar to get additional ideas. my "credit card" version, i just carry in a front pant pocket. i suppose i could use velcro tape instead of the gorilla tape. so far, i just use another ranger band if i need to attach something vertically.

[@jarvisskooge8602]

Nice. Been doing this for years… another option is to drill a hole through the top of the cap & add a key ring. That way you can add it to your keys.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@jarvisskooge8602 - That's another interest idea. I've now seen several additional mods from viewers to add onto one of these pens. thanks for sharing it here.

[@jimdreger4626]

I've been using that pen for years. I learned a long time ago to always have a pen handy. The best place to carry it was in my back pocket with my wallet and comb. The only problem was that I kept breaking the pens when I sat down as they were too long. What I did was to place the pen next to my wallet and cut it down to match the length of my wallet. I haven't broken a pen in my back pocket since. My method for cutting them, rather than a wire cutter, is to lay the pen tube on a piece of wood and simply roll it back and forth under the blade of my pocket knife. It makes a very clean cut both inside and out (I've also used a one wheel copper tube cutter). To avoid making a mess when cutting the reservoir tube is I watch for used pens where much of the ink is already used up, I then "trade" a new pen for the used one and cut the tube with no leaking ink.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@jimdreger4626 - Thanks for sharing your details on how you've been making and carrying these pens. It sounds like you've got it down to a science. I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to post this info.

[@pueblodove]

The pocket rack has come a long way! It is sharp looking now, and a class act! Thanks for the pen demo! Bic pens have always been reliable!

[@EarthlingEDC]

@pueblodove Many thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on the Pocket Rack. It certainly has evolved over the past 18 month. Now I'm having some fun finding simple low cost solution to mount on it. Thanks again for being a subscriber !

[@pueblodove]

@@EarthlingEDC your welcome, your videos are an inspiration!

[@31wdriley]

Had you thought of a pencil? When sharpening can use waste for tinder. The pencil lead as a lubricant. Does not dry out over a long time. Will not leak.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@31wdriley - Very interesting that you should mention a pencil. I posted a video yesterday that uses a modified pencil in an EDC kit. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKPNeqSinrtsbZo

[@mikereynolds5753]

Great vids, very creative! I do the same with these pens, but take out the ink cartridge so I use it for needle storage in my edc.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@mikereynolds5753 - Thanks for your post. You can actually leave the ink cartridge in and still have room in the tube for a few needles. Thanks for sharing your use case..

[@PltOffPPrune]

Great idea and an easy tutorial. Just made one for Mrs Prune. Thanks!

[@EarthlingEDC]

@PltOffPPrune - EXCELLENT! Thanks for sharing that. I sincerely appreciate the feedback.

[@jameschohonis2137]

Great tutorials always. Thanks

[@EarthlingEDC]

@jameschohonis2137 - Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on this video. They are sincerely appreciated.

[@willyfermin]

Sus videos son Geniales, son fascinantes y limpios. Excelente contenido. Master.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@willyfermin - Gracias por tus comentarios. Se lo agradezco sinceramente.

[@crosenblum]

Nice idea, I love round stic pens, been using the blue inked one for many years.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@crosenblum - They are very comfortable and I've found these in particular to write very smoothly as well. Thanks for your post.

[@unfi6798]

Always simple. Always functional. Cheers from Australia.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@unfi6798 - And you're always supportive ! Many thanks for your post.

[@analogmatrix1442]

Great modd. You can also heat up a needle through the end cap and put a key ring on the cap with a magnetic disconnect so you can hang the cap and pen on a keychain. Then when the ink is done you shorten another pen and use the same cap to keep it on the keychain.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@analogmatrix1442 - Well that's an interesting modification. Thanks for sharing it!

[@danielmeany7426]

How do you keep the ink from oozing out of the top where you cut it?

[@cgolf100]

When I make mine I use the pens till the ink level gets to the length I want. I have been known to scribble on paper to make it happen faster lol.

[@JamesBryant-nz1oo]

If you blot it on a tissue once you’ve cut it, as soon as you start writing with it the ink will get drawn down inside the tube and the surface tension would be enough to keep the ink from spilling out.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@JamesBryant-nz1oo - Thanks for taking the time to post that information. Much appreciated!

[@EarthlingEDC]

@cgolf100 - James has a good answer. try that out.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@danielmeany7426 - Vhe viscosity of the ink will keep it in place, you just need to blot the end a bit with a tissue after cutting it with wire cutter.

[@virtualvirtual2362]

same, i wait and use them at home, then cut it when the ink it's low enough, and put a bit of glue on the end of the ink catridge, i already have a bunch of mini pens, nice pen for little to nothing on a budget, the good thing it's if you lose it just make another one 😄 thanks for the video

[@EarthlingEDC]

@virtualvirtual2362 All good suggestions and the low cost of $1.29 US for a package of 10 gives you a lot of latitude for experimenting with them. thanks for posting.

[@jfu5222]

I've been carrying something to write with since my days as an infantry scout back in the 80s. I always have a nub of a pencil sharpened with a knife to a blunt point. Since I started carrying a cellphone I found that a Sharpie is the same length so one goes next to it in my front pocket. It doesn't take up much space and as a bonus the pen serves as a buffer between my phone and a knife that is clipped in that pocket.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@jfu5222 - that's an interesting writing solution. thanks for taking the time to post it.

[@wayne02058]

its simple but very smart

[@EarthlingEDC]

@wayne02058 - Thank you for your post. I agree. I was very surprised to hear from so many viewers who said they had been doing this for many years. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best.

[@Chris-Caddy]

Great idea, just what I'm looking for, but what stops the ink tube from leaking out of the back of the tube where it has been cut halfway down the ink section? Am I missing something? Do they not leak when cut?

[@EarthlingEDC]

@Chris-Caddy - Thanks for your post. after cutting the tube with some wire cutters. just dab the end of the the tube with a tissue until the ink level is below the rim of the tube. The viscosity of the ink will then keep it from running out. Take a look at some of the previous comments on this topic for more info. Thanks for posting.

[@breauxp]

It may cost a few cents more, but the Bic Soft Feel is a retractable pen that this project works even better with.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@breauxp - Thanks for sharing that info. I'll take a look at it.

[@ToolTechGeek]

I think that the bic crystal may also work for this but it may be more brittle so one may need to saw it with the right tool.

[@blastblast4627]

I've used a utility knife/scalpel blade to score the lines necessary as I rotated the barrel continuing those score marks. Then it pops apart like glass.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@ToolTechGeek I have not tried that, but based on the comments from some other viewers, it sounds like it would work. If you decide to make one, please post a photo to our Reddit page at: www.reddit.com/r/Earthling_EDC/ Thanks for your post and for being a subscriber.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@blastblast4627 - Can you post a photo of the final build here? www.reddit.com/r/Earthling_EDC/ Many thanks! and thanks for being a subscriber

[@alexsafonov7270]

I love it , thanks!

[@EarthlingEDC]

@alexsafonov7270 - Thank you for your feedback, it is sincerely appreciated.

[@JARCAICO]

Simple, yet brilliant. Thanks for sharing.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@JARCAICO - Thanks for your feedback. It's greatly appreciated.

[@Olyphoto7]

I used to do that trick a bringing a pen on backpacking trips. As I was watching this, I wondered if you could put a pre-threaded needle on the ink tube and wrap the thread so you get two needs covered in a small space. I already cary a pre-threaded needle in my SAK, which also has an ink pen. If you try it, please let me know if it works.

[@carpediem5232]

Yeah you probably could wrap some tape around it too.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@Olyphoto7 - Thanks for posting. Another viewer suggested something similar. I think that would work. Might also be able pins and sewing needles. Neat idea, thanks for sharing it.

[@fflife6730]

This is waaaaay easier than the vise grip mod (which was brilliant btw). But you'll never convince me to give up my Fishers...even for the price. Thanks for the fun vids brother!

[@EarthlingEDC]

@fflife6730 - Many thanks for the post. I sincerely appreciate your support.

[@vmorrow8310]

Another great feature of this is when lending the pen to someone you can hold on to the cap to ensure you get your pen back. Capped pens tend to walk away, but uncapped pens very seldom get slipped into a pocket inadvertently.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@vmorrow8310 - That's an interesting observation. I've never thought of that. Thanks for posting it.

[@Hervelebaba]

Belle chemise a la magnum 😅 Merci a pocket theory d’avoir permis de decouvrir ta chaîne

[@EarthlingEDC]

Merci d'avoir pris le temps de poster et de donner le meilleur de moi-même à la théorie de poche :-)

[@samb8860]

Genius! I wonder if this would work on the BIC cristal?

[@cgolf100]

Yes I roll it on a table with a utility knife scoring it and like glass they can crack or roll it till it cuts through.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@cgolf100 - Like cutting glass :-)

[@EarthlingEDC]

@samb8860 - A couple viewers mentioned the BIC Chrystal as an alternative. I think that will work as well. Thanks for asking.

[@tedhart7708]

Was thinking maybe a tubing cutter would give a cleaner and more precise edge than a hack saw.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@tedhart7708 - that would probably work really well. After I cut it with the hacksaw, I used medium grit sandpaper to even out that cut. That will worked as well, if you want a clean cut. thanks for posting.

[@tedhart7708]

@@EarthlingEDC 😃👍🏻

[@kringsja9913]

great video thanks for sharing, have a great day :)

[@EarthlingEDC]

@kringsja9913 - Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. It is sincerely appreciated

[@JohnSmith-bn9rd]

thanks for a very good video, will try to make one :)

[@EarthlingEDC]

@JohnSmith-bn9rd - Thank you for your post. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Post it to our reddit page at: www.reddit.com/r/Earthling_EDC/

[@hueman9]

Can you do a "seperate" video explaining the process step by steps?

[@EarthlingEDC]

@hueman9 - take a look at the comments below, several of them give details about how they have made these pens for themselves. All the best to you.

[@krh5081]

How do you keep from making a mess with the ink when you cut the tube?

[@EarthlingEDC]

@krh5081 - Snip it with wire cutter then blot the end with a tissue to get the ink below the end of the tube. You should not have any leaks after that. Thanks for your post.

[@aubreyleonae4108]

awesome !

[@EarthlingEDC]

@aubreyleonae4108 - Thank you for taking the time to post. I sincerely appreciate your feedback.

[@TheRickurb]

I prefer a mini sharpie at 3.5 inches

[@EarthlingEDC]

@TheRickurb - Thanks for taking the time to post. The mini sharpie is an excellent pen. www.sharpie.com/markers/permanent-markers/sharpie-mini-permanent-marker-fine-point/SAP_35111.html

[@4saken404]

Interesting. I would have thought that cutting into the the ink part would mess it up somehow. I figured they were pressurized or something in order to hep the ink flow.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@4saken404 - I think the narrowness of the tube and the thickness of the ink keep it in place. My only suggestion is after you cut the tube, you should use a tissue to blot the ink until it is just below the rim of the tube. Thank you for your post..

[@CanadaFree-ce9jn]

I cut mine where the R starts. I use a mitre box so my sawing is straight.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@CanadaFree-ce9jn - Thanks for sharing that info. The nice thing about this project is that you can customize the length of the pen to fit the size of your hand as well.

[@johnnyragadoo2414]

You should learn the story of Shortypen, designer of the Puddle Duck sailboat.

[@EarthlingEDC]

I had no idea such a thing existed -- "A Puddle Duck Racer or PD Racer is an 8 foot long, 4 foot wide, 16 inch high, spec series, racing sailboat. It is a one design hull shape with wide options in other areas. Billed as "the easiest sailboat in the world to build", the scow hull is a simple box, usually built of plywood.-- Wikipedia" Thanks for posting 🙂

[@johnnyragadoo2414]

@@EarthlingEDC Shortypen's Dad was a carpenter, as I recall, and always carried a cut down pen in his billfold. David, his son, picked up the nickname Shortypen because he adopted the same habit and made a business out of it for a while. His volume dropped off with the introduction of the G2 Mini, unfortunately, and he stopped selling hand modified pens. I have several I've done myself in my pen jar. I wish they were Shortypen originals, but he was already out of the business when I heard of the idea. The PDR was designed to be a boat a father and son could build on a beach in one day and race the next. Shortypen is a cool dude.

[@ParkerBinion]

Very cool! I thought my Pokka Pens were cheap, but 13 cents! When you cut the ink, did you melt the end or do something to pug the ink cartridge? You could also cut off that clip too if that's your preference. Why did you choose to make the pen shorter than the pocket rack?

[@donaldstrader7241]

I think on my next tip I'll either carry a Pokka Pen(s) (which I did have tucked into a pad) or Pop Out Pen(s) (Acme sold by CountyComm) (which I also had along. After going through so many security checkpoints, I was afraid I would lose/misplace it. Thankfully, I did not. Years ago though, I did lose a black titanium nitride Fisher Bullet pen that way going through a TSA checkpoint, where it fell out through a hole in a bag I tucked it in for the screening. It had my complete name on it, but when I realized and returned to look/inquire, nothing. I do have a Pen-Go ultem pen from CountyComm on my keychain, but that does not provide the resting on the web of the hand feature that the DIY version the video shows...more expensive too. ;-) For a pencil I carried a Pentel Kerry pencil.

[@dersan7522]

Don’t plug the cartridge…. It messes up the flow.

[@ParkerBinion]

@@dersan7522 doh! Thanks!

[@EarthlingEDC]

@ParkerBinion @dersan7522 - There is no plug on the full size pen's ink cartridge , so I did not see a reason to include one on the mini version after snipping the cartridge down with a pair of wire cutters. I think they are using the viscosity of the ink and the diameter of the tube to keep the ink in place. Keep in mind that body heat will reduce the viscosity and it might become more fluid. If that happens though, the front and the back of the pen are capped so I'm not sure it's going o leak.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@donaldstrader7241- Thanks for your post. I'm thinking the very low cost of these pens and the ability to customize them to the specific size of your hand are big factors when choosing to use an off the shelf solution that might be quite costly, vs this DIY version. Thanks again for your post and for being a subscriber.

[@kathleensmith370]

thanks for showing

[@EarthlingEDC]

@kathleensmith370 - Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. It is sincerely appreciated

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

love it. you got a subcriber. you can do different colors too.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@TheUnofficialMaker - Plus I'm now seeing other mods being posted here in these comments. It's getting fancy :-)

[@MagicalWingLT]

There's no links for the two pens featured in this video...

[@EarthlingEDC]

All of my videos contain a PDF of all the items shown in the video. See: bit.ly/BestEDCPen You will find these in the description of each video. Enjoy!

[@danbaucom]

Idk where or how i got the idea, but i have this exact same idea on my keychain. Mine is a little shorter, but the similarly is shocking!

[@EarthlingEDC]

@danbaucom - Based on what I'm seeing in these comments, I think this is a pretty common mod to make. I'm also now seeing additional mods being suggested by viewers, which is very cool. thanks for posting.

[@danbaucom]

@@EarthlingEDC I'd love to see more mods if you try them and have the time!

[@jerrybobteasdale]

I wonder if throwing that ink tube in the freezer for an hour would lessen the risk of making an ink mess.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@jerrybobteasdale - There was a solution mentioned earlier in these comments. After cutting the ink tube with a wire cutter, , just blot the end a bit to take down the ink level below the rim of the tube. the viscosity of the ink should then keep it from making a mess. Thanks for taking the time to post.

[@donaldstrader7241]

Now if you can figure out how to make a DIY bullet pencil, I would be really happy. They used to be advertising give-aways decades ago. Then they were recreated as expensive items; I checked recently and I would class them as more than expensive. Not sure why since they are only 4 parts, barrel, cap that holds the pencil and slides into the barrel, pencil, and eraser.

[@jfu5222]

I carry an ordinary wooden pencil cut down to about 4cm and sharpened with a knife to a blunt bullet like point. It doesn't poke me and the point is sturdy enough not to break. I used to carry a nub of a carpenter pencil, they're sturdy, but less comfortable to use.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@jfu5222 - Take a look at the pencil set-up that I used in this build. It might be helpful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKPNeqSinrtsbZo Thanks for posting your comment.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@donaldstrader7241 - thanks for being a subscriber and for posting. this might be a helpful solution if you want to use a pencil instead. take a look at the pencil set-up in this new video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKPNeqSinrtsbZo

[@donaldstrader7241]

​@@EarthlingEDC Thanks. When I read the comment by @jfu5222, it reminded me of a pencil my father carried, his small stub of a yellow pencil had a green cap. I have now watched the first part of your video you referenced for me and the tape you wrap around the pencil is a good idea to make the cap fit snugly! I'm not sure why my father's fit so perfectly. A few years ago I created a PSAK in an Altoid's tin, which I called DUSK, Donald's Useful Survival Kit, as part of a contest to create a kit that would fit in the pouch of a Becker Knife. In that kit I had two writing implements. The first was one of those very thin pencils that used to be sent out in mailers to complete information. The second was some Gremlin Green removable split shot made of tin. They will make a mark on paper, Since they were made of tin they also avoided potential lead contamination of my kit. Speaking of items having multiple uses, I note that you mentioned using slivers of the pencil stub as potential tinder. Another use for a pencil is lubrication. I remember my Dad had a can of graphite lubricant. I also remember an old guy who posted some interesting stories mentioning that his father or grandfather carried a pencil stub, and one time they were fishing they were having trouble with a fishing reel and he scraped some graphite off the pencil point to act as a lubricant to service the reel, and they kept on fishing. I think this was the same old guy* who used to tell the many uses he made of his Victorinox Classic. [*IIRC this was implied by his screen name] I loved his posts.

[@hughbrackett343]

Simpler solution: Buy a Zebra F 301 Compact. Better pen, better ink. I've carried an F 301 for years.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@hughbrackett343 - yes it's simpler, but I like to experiment. I'm now seeing some addition mods ( in these comments) for this pen that might make it even more usable :-) Thanks for sharing the info about the F 301. It looks like a nice pen.

[@JamesBryant-nz1oo]

It boggles my mind that people pay $100 for a titanium, bolt action, tactical pen that can write upside down in space. I’d just leave it on the bus. 🤦‍♂️ Even my beloved Fisher Space Pen spent more time down the side of the sofa cushion than in my pocket. 🛋️ You’ve created something incredibly cheap, that is easily carried, that writes beautifully. It is an elegant solution. 🤩 I could lend it to my Grandma and I don’t have to stand there while she does her crossword to get it back again. I’d let her keep it because I made 5 more! 👵🏽 ❤

[@EarthlingEDC]

@JamesBryant-nz1oo - You could be like Johnny Appleseed, spreading compact EDC pens around the country :-) Thanks for your post.

[@joshuacunningham2911]

wife washed my $30 edc pen and ruined it so im definately doing this from now on!

[@EarthlingEDC]

@joshuacunningham2911 - Thanks for taking the time to post. This is definitely a reliable low cost solution for an EDC pen.

[@mitchd949]

Or just carry a little golf pencil - no leaks, very light, and you already carry a pocket knife if you need to sharpen it.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@pueblodove - I actually just did that in a video that I posted yesterday. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKPNeqSinrtsbZo thanks for taking the time to post.

[@BillO964]

Or you could by a little pen?

[@EarthlingEDC]

@BillO964 -0 thanks for taking the time to post. Yes, that would definitely work as well, but what's the fun in that? :-)

[@dlighted8861]

Those channelock pliers are insanely expensive.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@dlighted8861 here is a less expensive alternative - kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnenaaepf5qojck I hope that works for you..

[@rwp722]

NASA spent a fortune trying to make an ink pen for writing in space, while the Russians used a pencil. I don't know if that's true, but a pencil is easier to modify.

[@maggiegregory8399]

The Russians found out later that the dust and particles and shavings of a pencil could be disastrously dangerous in a space capsule

[@rwp722]

@@maggiegregory8399 The Appalachian trail is not space - I would take a pencil.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@rwp722 - Thanks for your post. I actually did use a modified EDC pencil in the video that I posted yesterday. See: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKPNeqSinrtsbZo

[@FidoHouse]

I remember hearing about that: the Americans invented the Space Pen to have ink flow without gravity. The Russians switched to pencils. 😅

[@DonHavjuan]

​@@FidoHouseit isn't true tho

[@Mr_Dopey]

I'm pretty sure Bic pens come pocket sized. You don't have to modify them.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@Mr_Dopey - Thanks for sharing that info. Do you have a link you could share? I did some searches and did not find anything. I might not be using the correct keywords though.

[@Mr_Dopey]

@@EarthlingEDC You held a bag of them up yourself.

[@JK-pg2qn]

My EDC senses are tingling... you could actually use the pen itself as a small container for the tiniest things. A few cm's of paper, should you need to jot something down and you don't have any sliver of paper at hand. Or you could design a small, 3d printed "bobbin" that would fit the lead, then wrap some lengths of thread around it and carry it inside the pen, along with a needle. I'm not sure how much place you would have... possibly very little, maybe a foot or two of thread, but it's something.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@JK-pg2qn - I was thinking that I might be able to put some emergency cash into the tube, but when I measured it out there was not enough space. the thread or fishing line idea is really interest though and adding a sewing need or pins might fit as well. thanks for sharing that.

[@comanche6943]

Save 10 cents cut a Number 2 pencil in half.

[@EarthlingEDC]

@comanche6943 - that's a good solution as well. I featured one in this video that i posted yesterday.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKPNeqSinrtsbZo .

[@outdoordauber]

Nice idea; this could have been a two minute video...

[@EarthlingEDC]

@outdoordauber - Thanks for your feedback. It is much appreciated.

[@outdoordauber]

@@EarthlingEDC I made two of these this week. It is a nice compact pen!