Anyone carrying a "Tactical" Pen?
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
Human variability makes life interesting, does it not?
Feel free to Google:
https://www.google.com/search?q=tact...hrome&ie=UTF-8
https://www.google.com/search?q=tact...hrome&ie=UTF-8
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
747FC, UK ban has nothing to do with edges, but only some are banned
WillCAD, thats not correct, 'sticks' are not banned many places
even if japanese one has to be pointed, its not "sharp" by default
the korean version does not have a point at all, point is not needed
a normal writing utensil can be used almost exactly the same way
WillCAD, thats not correct, 'sticks' are not banned many places
even if japanese one has to be pointed, its not "sharp" by default
the korean version does not have a point at all, point is not needed
a normal writing utensil can be used almost exactly the same way
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jun 29, 2016 at 11:22 am
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Hawai'i Nei
Programs: Au: UA, Marriott, Hilton; GE
Posts: 7,141
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
UK laws seem vague, and when laws are vague, enforcement can be capricious
US laws vary dramatically by state, and sometimes update/change pretty quickly
but i see there are pretty cheap fully-metal pens, not related to tactical/etc
US laws vary dramatically by state, and sometimes update/change pretty quickly
but i see there are pretty cheap fully-metal pens, not related to tactical/etc
#21
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Baltimore, MD USA
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards. Tha... that's about it.
Posts: 4,332
747FC, UK ban has nothing to do with edges, but only some are banned
WillCAD, thats not correct, 'sticks' are not banned many places
even if japanese one has to be pointed, its not "sharp" by default
the korean version does not have a point at all, point is not needed
a normal writing utensil can be used almost exactly the same way
WillCAD, thats not correct, 'sticks' are not banned many places
even if japanese one has to be pointed, its not "sharp" by default
the korean version does not have a point at all, point is not needed
a normal writing utensil can be used almost exactly the same way
All of the tactical pens I've seen are essentially kubotans with an ink catridge. Sometimes the sharp end of the kubotan is the back end of the pen and is covered, other times the sharp end is the end with the ink in it. Most that I've seen don't even look like pens, they just look like kubotans.
Essentially, a tactical pen is a thinly-disguised (oftentimes not disguised at all) kubotan, and kubotans are prohibited items, so tactical pens are likewise prohibited. But if you find a tactical pen that doesn't look like a tactical pen, i.e. a high-quality metal pen that's strong enough to use as a kubotan but looks like an ordinary (not tacti-cool) pen, then carrying it becomes much less risky.
Essentially, a tactical pen is a thinly-disguised (oftentimes not disguised at all) kubotan, and kubotans are prohibited items, so tactical pens are likewise prohibited. But if you find a tactical pen that doesn't look like a tactical pen, i.e. a high-quality metal pen that's strong enough to use as a kubotan but looks like an ordinary (not tacti-cool) pen, then carrying it becomes much less risky.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-...ohibited-items
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
there are metal pens that have nothing to do with tactical
even a regular plastic pen is resilient, can penetrate, etc
WillCAD, the issue is how "kubotan" etc is defined
its vague in UK, i guarantee its vague in US, looking at US LEO forums
even a regular plastic pen is resilient, can penetrate, etc
WillCAD, the issue is how "kubotan" etc is defined
its vague in UK, i guarantee its vague in US, looking at US LEO forums
#24
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM, Marriott Gold, Hertz PC, National Exec
Posts: 6,736
Some kubotans are banned in the UK under the same provision that bans certain knives. Look at the list of banned items in the link:
https://www.gov.uk/buying-carrying-knives
"##hollow kubotan (cylinder-shaped keychain) holding spikes"
I think they're referring to the ones that are a cylinder that contains spikes that can be removed and attached to the cylinder.
#25
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Salt Lake City
Programs: Delta, Hertz, Hilton, Marriott
Posts: 4,921
Tactical Defense Pen
Has anyone tried going through security with one of these? I've got one in my car and carry another in my jacket when I'm about town. I'd like to take one on trips but haven't tried taking one in carry-on yet. They're only $12 on Amazon, so I guess it wouldn't hurt to find out.
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-...s/tactical-pen
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-...s/tactical-pen
Last edited by tmorse6570; May 27, 2022 at 12:19 pm