As part as our self defense tool review, we are fortunate to be reviewing the full 2013 line of Schrade Tactical Pens by Taylor Brands LLC. While we like to keep a non-biased / impartial view, in regards to our product reviews, there is something to be noted about Taylor Brands promptness to our requests and questions. In our personal experience, it's not just the product that your buying it's also the company that backs up the products they sell and the service they provide. We have been finding as we go along with our reviews, Taylor Brands and their Schrade line keeps getting a big nod of approval from both my team and I.
First the short background, in regards to the origins of Tactical Pens and then the review and specs:
The tactical pen is usually made out of metal, and although it looks like an ordinary pen, it can be used for self defense. Methods include using the end part of the pen to issue jabs or “hammer fist strikes” to the face, neck and to other parts of the body. As well as augmenting holds like chokes, wrists locks and arm locks.
The tactical pen is the modern based self defense tool, based off of two other older self defense tools. The Yawara and the Kubaton.
The Yawara: In old style Japanese Jujitsu, the Yawara was a wooden self defense tool, like a stick about 5 inches or longer. The end of the Yawara stick, "stuck out" about an inch from each side of the hand. A hard composite plastic type of Yawara stick was made for police officers in the 1940s by Professor Frank A. Matsuyama. Matsuyama also made an earlier version in 1937 . There also were also companies after this that made metal Yawara sticks. Both ends could be used for striking attackers. Also, the yarawa stick could be used to initiate throws or reinforcement holds.
The Kubaton: sometimes spelled as Kuboton or Kobutan is a self-defense keychain made by Takayuki Kubota and popularized in the early 1980’s. Like the Yawara, it was first presented more as a defensive tool to police in the 1980's. It is a small stick made out of composite plastic, wood or metal and is based on the Yawara stick. The tool is usually 5.5 inches (14 cm) long and 0.56 inch (1.5 cm) in diameter, slightly thicker or the same size as a magic marker, but smaller in diameter then compared to the Yawara stick. It also has a keyring attached to one side. The keys can be used as a flail to an attackers eyes , but the main area of striking is the opposite end of the tool. The Kubaton is flat on the end although pointed end models can be found as well. Like the Yawara, holds and locks can be used in conjunction with the Kubaton.
Here is our review on Schrade (Taylor Brands) 2013 line of Tactical Pens:
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Mailing Address |
Taylor Brands LLC1043 Fordtown Rd. Kingsport, TN 37663 |
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Phone Numbers |
1-800-251-0254 |
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Web Site: |
http://www.taylorbrandsllc.com/
In July 2004, The Schrade name was purchased by Taylor Brands LLC, who manufacture Schrade, Old Timer, Imperial, Uncle Henry and Smith & Wesson knives |
Tactical Pens
The one thing to note about The Schrade line of tactical pens, is that some models have more functions, then just the pen. The second thing to note is that the majority of other companies that sell tactical pens start from around $100.00 USD to $200.00 USD, while The Schrade line is around $25.00 USD for the same quality, that's something to think about. And lastly, the caps are "screw on" vice "pop on & off" which makes things a whole lot more secure, when using these pens.
First we start off with the model SCPEN3BR Schrade Tactical Fountain Pen Brown w/ fountain & ball point option:
This pen has two screw on front parts, so you can change the pen, from a regular ball point pen, to a old style fountain pen tip or "nib". This is what I like to call "The Gentleman's Tactical Pen". Both ball point pen and fountain pen parts, work well. In self defense applications, both ends can be used.. the pointed end and the round cap end. This pen comes also in black and silver colors.
The next model SCPEN4BK Schrade Survival Tactical Pen w/ Ferro Rod and Survival Whistle Black:
Again, we see another great idea here... the pen has an internal Ferro Rod.. the front part of the pen turns into the striker where you can create a good amount of sparks to produce a fire if you need to outdoors. The pen also has a built in survial whistle in the cap which is pretty loud when you take the cap off of the pen. This pen also comes in orange and silver.
If you have a tablet or a smart phone with a touch screen, you need to get this tactical pen!
Model SCPEN5GR Schrade Tactical Stylus Pen Green.
This pen has a stylus part on one end. It works on Capacitive tablet screens on new tablets, and also on "Resistive" tablet screens (like old Android tablets. I have tested the stylus on both types of screens and the stylus work very well. The end where the stylus point is, seems to be able to screw off.. it may be possible to replace the tip, if it gets worn out. It also comes in Black and also Brass. We have read other posts around the internet that people seem to really like the added weight of the Brass version.
SCPENP Schrade Tactical Pen Pink is the last style that we tested:
We highly recommend for women to also carry a tactical pen, not just men.. pink may be your color, but this pen also comes in green and black. This model has a very effective point (for self defense), and thickness over all... it is a bit thicker then the Tactical Fountain pen, above.
We tested all of these models by doing cardboard penetration tests, we were able to go thru 4 to 5 pieces of cardboard with no problems. All of the pens write very well, even after our repeated tests. From what we researched, the pens are made from 6061-T6 Aluminium, you can feel the quality when you pick up any of these pens, I highly recommend any of them! - Tom
We compiled the following specs below:
Specifications:
Overall Length: 5.90"
Open w/Out Cap: 5.40"
Open w/Cap: 6.40"
Body Diameter: 0.58"
Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Color: Orange
Weight: 1.7 oz.
Ink Color: Black
Ink Cartridge: Black Starminen Black Fine Point D1 Pen Cartridge
6061-T6
T6 temper 6061 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 42,000 psi (300 MPa) and yield strength of at least 35,000 psi (241 MPa). More typical values are 45,000 psi (310 MPa) and 40,000 psi (275 MPa), respectively. In thicknesses of 0.250 inch (6.35 mm) or less, it has elongation of 8% or more; in thicker sections, it has elongation of 10%. T651 temper has similar mechanical properties. The typical value for thermal conductivity for 6061-T6 at 80°C is around 152 W/m K. A material data sheet defines the fatigue limit under cyclic load as 14,000 psi (100 MPa) for 500,000,000 completely reversed cycles using a standard RR Moore test machine and specimen. Note that aluminum does not exhibit a well defined "knee" on its S-n graph, so there is some debate as to how many cycles equates to "infinite life". Also note the actual value of fatigue limit for an application can be dramatically affected by the conventional de-rating factors of loading, gradient, and surface finish.
6061-T6 is used for: the construction of bicycle frames and components. Many fly fishing reels. The famous Pioneer plaque was made of this particular alloy. The secondary chambers and baffle systems in firearm sound suppressors (primarily pistol suppressors for reduced weight and functionality), while the primary expansion chambers usually require 17-4PH or 303 stainless steel or titanium. The upper and lower receivers of many AR-15 variants.
Chemical composition:
The alloy composition of 6061 is -
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Silicon minimum 0.4%, maximum 0.8% by weight
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Iron no minimum, maximum 0.7%
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Copper minimum 0.15%, maximum 0.40%
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Manganese no minimum, maximum 0.15%
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Magnesium minimum 0.8%, maximum 1.2%
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Chromium minimum 0.04%, maximum 0.35%
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Zinc no minimum, maximum 0.25%
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Titanium no minimum, maximum 0.15%
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Other elements no more than 0.05% each, 0.15% total
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Remainder Aluminium (95.85%–98.56%)
