REVIEW: UZI Tactical Pen

The UZI Tactical Pen is a typical OEM product, presumably made in Taiwan, that is sold under various names (Blackfield, Laix, Perfecta). There are also various versions with different knurling, glass breakers, crown spikes, and hidden handcuff keys. Combined with two available colors (black and "gun metal" gray), this pen alone offers an overwhelming selection in the not exactly small market of tactical EDC tools.

The version tested here is sold under the brand name "UZI," has a glass breaker, strong knurling, and a gray finish. With a price of around 20 euros, it certainly belongs to the most affordable group.

One thing to note: this pen is not small! Weighing 45 grams, it is as heavy as three normal metal ballpoint pens! And it is noticeably larger and bulkier. This is also evident when writing. The operation is somewhat cumbersome because there is no push button. You simply twist the front part until the writing tip protrudes. To change the refill, simply twist the front end in the other direction. It takes standard Parker refills, with "Space Pen" refills from Fisher being ideal.

Upon opening, the unusual construction with the long threaded piece is also noticeable. This results in a particularly stable connection that does not break immediately at the thread under stress. The pen is made of aircraft aluminum (presumably 7075), with the glass breaker made of tungsten carbide. The clip is made of 1.25mm thick steel and is fixed with the glass breaker. Everything about this pen is just incredibly solid!

The knurling applied to this version, a type of texturing, is extremely grippy but does not cut into the hand or excessively wear clothing. This ensures that the pen will not slip out of your fingers even with sweaty or wet hands.

The surface is nicely anodized, although not completely flawless. But with a tactical pen, even signs of wear still look good!

I specifically chose the version with the glass breaker because I am neither a trained ninja nor have ever needed a close combat weapon with crown spikes. However, a glass breaker can be useful in various emergency situations. And having a pen ensures that you actually have it with you and not just somewhere in the car.

I have not tested the glass breaker yet (my wife said we still need the windows, especially in winter...), but I have no doubt about its function. What the emergency hammer in the bus can do, the pen can do as well. And when push comes to shove, the tip will break not only glass but also bones and teeth.

CONCLUSION: The "tactical utility" of Tactical Pens may be debated (you don't bring a Kubotan to a shootout!), but as the ultima ratio, as a last resort for self-defense, they are still better than bare hands!

But even beyond all street fights, such pens are useful in the daily struggle for survival in the office. The risk of confusion with the usual cheap promotional pens is rather low, so the likelihood of loss through "I thought that was mine" is close to zero. While you might need bodybuilder arms for longer texts - a type of person who, in turn, does not need lengthy formulations - the pen is still suitable for writing. And you can't break it with normal means. You can even sit on it (please only store the pen horizontally!) without anything breaking (with the pen).

All this for a sale price of around 20 euros, you really can't go wrong!

Special thanks to Elchinator for this review!