Originally Posted by
IAN-UK
I was trying to work out what a "self defence pen" is. It looks as though it can be used to stab someone, or perhaps write a nasty note to your attacker.
It appears to be an attempt to embody the adage that "the pen is mightier than the sword", using the idea that labelling anything as "Tactical" makes it seem more macho. Cf
"Tactical bacon"
I think any airport security would be unlikely to take that off you unless they were feeling very paranoid. I will note that I have a heavy non-"Tactical" drafting pen in my usual luggage, made by Rotring, which has been examined a couple of times in detail - possibly because it is quite heavy and made of much more solid metal than most pens - but it has passed muster each time.