Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I ordered the pen some months ago by post from the US to Israel. It arrived in a regular padded envelope with no particular problem. The pen feels very strong and reliable. Its size is an excellent compromise between its designated use as a self-defense weapon and the need to look like a regular pen. It's quite a bit thicker than normal pens, but this property gives it a very comfortable grip. Also, its wavy shape enhances the grip even further. If it was smooth, it would slide out of your hand when you hit something with it, unless you grab it real hard, and that requires practise. In terms of length, it's slightly a bit longer than regular pens, but definitely not too long. Writing with it is quite comfortable. The ink refills work great and it's easy to replace them. Though, due to its higher weight compared to a regular pen, as well as its higher center-of-mass, I wouldn't choose this pen to write a whole essay. Still, it would be possible to do so. The pocket clip is quite strong, maybe even a bit too strong. You might have a hard time to 'draw' the pen out of the pocket quickly, especially if it's all the way in. If you want, you can unscrew it using an allen key. I would still keep it though, as it makes this pen look more like a regular pen. I practiced it a bit on the trunk of a pine tree, and I recommend everyone who buys a tactical pen (or a Kubotan) to do so. You might be surprised of how important it is to hold the pen firmly as you strike. If you don't, it can easily slip out of your hand on the first strike. I am actually considering buying another one, just for practise. This way one pen will endure all the wear from the practice, and the other one will be for 'real' use. In terms of stealth and plausible deniability, I would give this pen something between 85 and 90 out of a 100. It does look like a pen, but not exactly like a regular one. It has a much stronger presence than regular pens. Its wavy shape does remind somewhat of a police baton. Fortunately, its tip is not too sharp as to arouse suspicion (but it's still very effective for self defense). I got to test people's reaction to it on two occations: The first one was on the entry to a mall. Since the large waves of terror attacks in Israel during the 90's, every entrance to every public building is guarded, including malls. Some weeks ago I entered a mall and had to pass through a metal detector device, one of those that are like a gate that you have to pass though. Each time, as it beeped, I took out one more metal thing out of my pocket: The keys, the cell phone, the change wallet, etc. I kept the pen for last. Each time when I took an item out of the pocket, I placed it on the desk in front of the guard for inspection. When I finally took the pen out and placed it on the desk, the guard asked me "What is this? A pen?". I said 'yes' and he let me pass and take everything with me. So it did arouse some suspition, but not a meaningful one. The second incident was a more interesting one. I escorted an American-Columbian family member of mine to an airport in Israel. He had to take a domestic flight, and I escorted him to the terminal. Since he was a foreign 17 year-old, and he was flying on his own, he aroused the security personnel's suspition so before letting us in the terminal, they asked him and me lots of questions about our family relations and about his stay in Israel. Then they took as aside, asked us to give them all our bags for X-Ray scanning. They used a special, bigger X-Ray machine that was not being used for 'regular' flight attendants, and looked much more thorough. They asked me if I have anything that is a weapon or looks like one. Guess what I was carrying in my small bag ;) Out of curiousity for the outcome, I answered 'no'. Then they took my bag, with the pen in it, to that enormous X-Ray device. It took them more than 5 minutes to scan our bags, so I guess they were quite thorough. Still, the pen didn't arouse their suspicion and they didn't ask me anything about it. This means that if I would be there to fly, not just as an escort, I could board the plane with the pen. If you want to give the pen a more innocent look, I suggest that you buy this model but in one of the more cheerful colors, like the the blue or the brown version. In my opinion, they will arouse even less suspicion than the black one. One the other hand, when the day comes that you have to use it in a dark alley against a robber, you might prefer it to be black, for some added camouflage. I am glad I got this model. In my opinion, it is better than all the other Smith & Wesson models. One of the other models has an exaggarated sharp tip that makes it look like a spear rather than a pen. Another one has strange 'wings' along it which also appear suspicious, unnatural and uncomfortable. This pen is not only a good compromise, but also has an added feature- you can unscrew the cap from the back of the pen (the writing side) and screw it to the front of the pen, so that you don't lose it when you write. Oh, it is also water-proof. The cap screws tightly against a rubber ring that is placed around the bottom of the screw on the pen. I never had to use this on real life, and I hope I never will. Still, it makes me feel safer to carry it with me. One final word, on the legal stuff. If you carry in your pocket a pepper spray, a Kubotan or any other device designated solely for self-defense, you are, legally, carrying a weapon. The actual meaning of this depends on the laws in your country, the strictness of the local police, and also on the policy of the building you're walking into. On the other hand, legally, a pen is a pen. Even if it's made of aircraft aluminum. This is the best answer to any local policeman or security guard, and you are likely to avoid all these hassles with it. So the bottom line is, I highly recommend this specific model. Keep safe :) Tal