REVIEW – Do you ever find yourself in hairy situations needing to take notes but don’t have a pen that can operate in extreme conditions? Have you ever been behind enemy lines in a firefight but need to deliver a handwritten coded note because electronic communications have failed or are scrambled? Are you a gun for hire and need a pen you can rely on regardless of job hazards? Then I have the pen for you. Introducing the Titaner Barrel X titanium bolt action tactical pen, the perfect operative’s pen pal.
What is it?
The Titaner Barrel X is a machined titanium bolt action pen with a built-in fidget spinner and glass breaker.
What’s included?
- Titaner Barrel X pen
- Company information card
Tech specs
Click to expand
Length: 140 mm
Diameter: 15 mm
Weight: 46.8 g
Design and features
As I’ve already mentioned the Titaner Barrel X is built from titanium, so it’s tougher than nails. It’s so tough, in fact, that Titaner says their pen can be used as a crowbar to pry open containers or assist in lifting heavy objects should you want to do that with a pen. Its barrel is designed to mimic the barrel jacket of the Browning M1919 and its holes help dissipate heat, just like the real thing. This thing should stand up to any abuse.
Another key feature of the pen is its bolt-action. I like the idea of a bolt-action pen and have wanted one for a while. It seems like a more reliable mechanism than a push button.
A fun addition to the Titaner Barrel X is the fidget spinner. It has a ceramic bearing they call the Meditation Gyro and it spins much longer than I expected. It’s very smooth and addictive. Paired with the bolt action, this pen is a fidget-friendly pocket pal.
And what would any tactical EDC tool be without a glass breaker. Yep, the Titaner Barrel X has a glass breaker at the tip for emergencies. The nice thing is it’s a bead without a sharp point. I’ve reviewed other EDC tools with sharp glass breaker that make them uncomfortable to use or carry.
Even the pocket clip is designed with mucho machismo. Look at this thing. It looks like it’s right out of a Michael Bay film.
Performance
So the Titaner Barrel X bolt action tactical pen is supposed to be a lean, mean writing machine but how well does it actually write? It’s fine. It’s not the ultimate writing experience but it gets the job done. It comes loaded with a Schneider Gelon .5 mm pen insert but the Barrel X can accept most any G2 ink refills. With that in mind, I found writing with it to feel scratchy, but I attribute that to being .5mm. I typically prefer something a bit bigger. The bolt action too was a bit gritty feeling at first, but that broke in pretty quickly after fidgeting with it. Now it’s much smoother although I do wish the throw was longer. I have big hands so I don’t get as much movement in the motion as I’d like. The pen is also rather large which works well for me but folks with smaller hands may not like it. The vent holes can also be a bit uncomfortable. They aren’t necessarily sharp but you definitely notice the edges especially if you have a tight writing grip. Finally, I don’t particularly care for the design of the pocket clip. I just don’t like the aesthetic of it for this pen. I think they should’ve stuck with the gun theme instead of looking like a Decepticon pen. But hey, you can field strip it in no time!
What I like about Titaner Barrel X Titanium tactical bolt action pen
- Solid build
- Titanium
- Very fidgety
What needs to be improved?
- Soften the edges of the barrel vents
- A redesigned clip
- The price
Final thoughts
This pen isn’t for everybody. I think it’s more of a novelty than a serious writing tool. It’s geared more for that person who has to have titanium tactical everything. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. It’s just not a pen I would grab as a first choice to take notes. It’s fun to play with and is cocked, locked, and ready to rock if that’s your thing. Just be prepared to pay for it.
Price: $129.00
Where to buy: Titaner
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Titaner. Titaner did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
