I need a small, reliable, ballpoint pen. I can't find the threads, but I have seen posts where people have recommended small pens. So, recommendations please...

Don't know if this is small enough for you,

http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Space-Bulle...ullet+space+pen

I have had the FISHER bullet space pen for several years.It takes little real estate in a pocket.Refills can be found in most office supply stores.You can not go wrong with this.....

BOATMAN
John

I have found the version of the SAK Classic that incorporates a ball point pen to be very useful and dependable.

I'll second the Fisher Space Pen, the Bullet model. I am EDC'ing one in my front pants pocket right now.

Unlike some other mini pen designs, I like that the Space Pen turns into a full size pen when you stick the cap on the end of the pen, so you can actually do a lot of writing with it, if you want.

Debating whether I will get a clip for it. You'd think they could throw in a clip when you buy one.

I love the Bullet, it's my primary EDC pen.

I pulled out a few half-used space pen refills that were sitting in the bottom of a box for maybe 15 years. Believe it or not, the darn things still worked.

For kits, though, I just toss in a couple of black (or red) medium Bics. Those things just won't die, even after years and years. The blue-ink jobs die a lot sooner. At 8c each from Staples, you can chop 'em down to your heart's content.

I used to carry the Bullet, but not anymore. The things (I had two of them) globbed ink terribly. Both pens did it, and all the refills I bought for them (official Fischer refills) did it too. You had to carry around scratch paper to wipe the pens tips with to get the globs off before starting to write anything.

I EDC a "Zebra F-301" pen now. Much cheaper than the Fischer and works similarly (but without the ink globbing). You can find the F-301's in just about any office supply store. The pen is "half sized" - the cap comes off, you reinstall it on the other end of the pen, and you end up with a full sized pen.

The Fischer claim to fame was that the pressurized ink cartridges let the pen write even when upside down. Unfortunately, that pressurization also forces ink out into globs constantly. I have little call to write upside down anyway.

I've read a number of people complaining about ink globbing from Fisher pens, and I've never been able to replicate the issue. Weird.

FWIW, I have carried an original Fisher Bullet Space Pen for many years, lost my fair share, and I now carry a Fisher Trekker on my "key ring." The short length doesn't bother me for the instant writing instrument I need occasionally just to make a note or sign something and it doesn't get lost. Never had the problems you relate. <shrug>

FWIW, your choice is the F-301 COMPACT (as opposed to the standard F-301 which I use as my standard go to pen).

I EDC a Zebra 701, its not small like the compact 301, but its built like a tank. I bet an industrious guy could cut one down to take the compact refills .... that would be cool.
I like my Pilot G-2 Mini ...but its 100% plastic..so easily broken, even though mine isn't, it still concerns me. Not an issue with the F-701.
As for the Space Pen crowd ...I too have several pens that take Space Pen cartridges and have bought new refills thinking I got a bad one every time it globbed ink onto the paper until I finally gave up. I over it. Zebra pens work fin ...they are not very pricey and I can run the cartridges dry satisfying my desire to use it up before trashing it.

To each his own, but I personally loathe the whole Zebra crowd (I mean the refillable ballpoints). They blot, they skip, they're expensive, they're overrated. But they do look pretty. I just tossed out the whole lot, banished forever from my office, and don't let the door hit you on the way out.

I wonder if it has to do with altitude. I live at 5300 feet.

[edit - Wait... Fischer markets these things as "astronaut" space pens. And if astronauts are actually using these pens at their altitude, they'd be having to deal with ink globs the size of bowling balls. So maybe it's something else besides altitude. ]

I'll chime in with those recommending the fisher bullet pen. I've carried one for years and like it very much:
Compact
Metal construction
Writes smoothly
Fits well in my hand with the cap on the back.

rite in the rain tactical. Used the space pen refills

I have a couple options. For the cheapest route, you can simply cut down an existing disposable pen. Here is an instructable describing the process: Mini BIC Keychain Pen! I did something similar with a click pen to make it more compact to so I could carry it in my Scout uniform pocket (the pockets no longer fit a standard sized pen).

However, since doing that little project, I've started carrying an Inka pen as a part of my EDC. I really like this pen, it has a pressurized ink cartridge like the Fisher space pens (and, according to what I've read, can use the Fisher universal refills or the Inka ones), and can be used quickly as a small pen or, with a little more effort, a full pen.

Here are the 2 pens (the Fenix E01 provides some scale), the Inka is shown the way it is when its not in use:



For quick uses, the Inka just pulls out and the metal cylinder remains attached to the keyring. This is good for when you just need to jot something down quickly. For example, I've recently started geocacheing so this what I'd do when I need to use it to write in the log after finding a cache.



Finally, if you are going to use it for more than just a quick note, you can assemble it into a full-on pen. The metal cylinder unscrews from the key chain and becomes the top half of the pen:



I've had this for a few months now and its proved pretty useful; I'm happy I decided to make this a part of my EDC.

I also noticed there is now a newer model available, called the Inka Mobile Pen + Stylus, and it looks like up here MEC has started carrying as well as the Inka I have. It looks like that one is always only a stubby pen though which makes it less attractive to me.

The Inka model I have goes for $18 up here and that newer model is $14.

It seems to be in the design of the Bullet pen. I've had one that did it repeatedly. I've also had their matte black pen and IIRC didn't have that problem. My current EDC is the Tao Pen from CRKT that uses Fischer refills. It isn't doing it at this time (over a year old).

I've EDC'd an Inka Pen for about 5 years. No globs, ever. Converts into a perforating device in extreme situations.

http://www.kaboodle.com/reviews/inka-pen-travel-pen-1

I am a huge fan of the Fisher Space Pen

Trekker

I think I figured out the globbing issue.In the cap there is a small plastic insert.This may cause a slight vacuum and pulls out the ink.Or the ball is depressed when the cap is put on and allows the pressurized ink to ooze out.This may only happen on a few space pens and could be from manufacturing variances.Just a thought......

BOATMAN
John

I've been carrying a Fisher Bullet pen for almost 20 years. I've been through a few because certain pants pockets spit them out so that they are swallowed by omnivorous couches and voracious car interiors. Now I carry mine in the bottom of the zippered leather couch I use as a wallet. (A bad back made me give up on regular wallets in back pockets.)

Regarding the ink globs. I never had a Fisher pen do this until the late 90s, and I think it was a manufacturing issue. I had a few refills do this back then, but none recently. It was slightly annoying.

Besides the pocket-ability, I really appreciate that the refills won't dry up from lack of use. My current EDC pen has a refill made in 2001 and somewhere I have a pen with a refill from 1985. Hard to beat.

Zebra makes a pocket pen (F-301 Compact) that has a plastic body and metal cap, that turns into a full size pen when the cap is posted. Sadly they are hard to find. I gave my father-in-law one a few years ago and he had to order several from Amazon to replace it. The current Amazon price is more than double what I used to pay for a two pack. The cartridge is very small though and runs out of ink quicker because of it.

The one Fisher Space Pen I have is the non compact military model that has been fairly trouble free. It's a solid pen and while it may not fill the needs of someone who wants a compact model, it's a good piece of gear for writing.
Fisher Space Pen Military

Lots of options, exactly what I was seeking, thanks everybody

I use a Bullet as an occasional desk pen, and it has the ink-gobs problem.

I've been carrying an Inka pen on my keyring for many years. It's great to have with you for occasional use, but I don't think it has the capacity if you need to use a pen every day. (I'm not sure whether the original poster needed that.)

I also carry some EDC items, including my Space Pen, in a small zippered pouch in my front pants pocket. I have lost a couple EDC items over the years through small holes worn into the pocket. Right now, I'm using a pouch made of hemp. Very durable, thin, and doesn't feel clammy next to my thigh when it is warm like a nylon one might.

I keep a Space Pen, Leatherman Micra, and a Fenix E05 AAA flashlight in the pouch. They are all basically the same size and shape. I feel that the pouch is more compact and less likely to wear a hole in my pocket than similar items connected by a keychain would be.

I ordered the PicoPen. Nobody mentioned it in this thread, but searches for other pens brought it up. From reviews, the PicoPen is uncomfortably small and sometimes the magnet cap releases without intent. However, most important to me is that it's small. The PicoPen should fit my need for a pen to take quick notes if no other pen is around.

I also ordered some Rite-in-the-Rain notepads.

I also did, until the bloody thing unscrewed the bottom part and I lost it. I'll never buy another

Let us know what you think about it when you get it ireckon.
It looks too small for me but I'd like to know your thoughts.

Rite in the rain is great paper. I have some in all my kits. They also make copy paper that I've printed checklists on and have used to print a copy of Doug's psp instructions for my wallet.

Enjoy your new toys.

GauchoViejo brought up a good point, one I've experienced before ... two piece pens ... and losing one of the pieces..either by mis-laying a piece or having them come unscrewed, uncapped or whatever.
I like pics of the cut-down BIC or whatever it is. Am a big fan of keeping the cost low, just on principal alone and naturally this allows me to "salt" pens everywhere with little concern over expenditures. Since just like knives ... the best one you can have is the one you have with you !

And whomever brought up space pens not drying up .... I believe you are right. I haven't thrown out my last Space Pen Refill (hoping to get one that didn't spit out globs....have had it for over a decade and it writes each time I try it .... and no I don't have a capped style Space Pen body ... its a Sensa Pen my wife bought me that takes Space Pen refills and it's design doesn't use a cap ...but I like the theory of cap interference ... had not thought of that.

Manufacture date is also a issue with more than pen cartridges ... besides other pens no longer being made I really liked, the moving off-shore or cheaping out of the products today, makes it always a possibility that what works great today ...won't on the coming years.

As for the drying up issue ...this is one I've battled with pens in the e-kits....and those I keep in my cars....and have not found resolution. My EDC pen gets used every day. I don't leave the house without a pen in my pocket whether I'm going to work or not.

Thanks to all for their thoughts, ideas and experiences ... I'll be looking into INKA refills as a result.

--KW

My pen will be attached to a zipper inside my man bag. So, the possibility of the PicoPen coming lose is not much of an issue for me.

This is a great theory that explains the ink globbing. Space Pen refills are pressurized so anything which depresses the ball in the tip of the pen--whether due to physical pressure or maybe even compressed air when the cap is replaced--could possibly allow a small amount of ink to flow.

So one obvious experiment, for anyone with a Space Pen that globs, is to leave the pen uncapped for a while and see if ink globs still develop.

I don't EDC it; a pen I keep at home for writing letters and signing cards is a Pilot Neo-Gel.

Jeanette Isabelle

PicoPen works fine for me. Again, it's attached to the inside of my manbag. So, the magnet releasing is not a concern. I would not wear this pen externally. It's there for quick jots on notepad while in back of taxi, shopping, or whatever.

I'll be experimenting with other options here. The bottom line is that I won't have to walk around without a pen anymore.

I EDC my Victorinox Super Tinker SAK with the custom scales that hold their tiny pen. It is a very tiny but reliable pen. I use it fairly regularly.

David

Totally unscientific experiment. I occasionally get the "ink blob" issue when I first start writing with my Space Pen, too. Instead of shoving the cap back on when I'm done, I have started to ease the cap back on. It still rides in a small pouch in my pants pocket, so that part is still the same. Haven't had the ink blob issue since then, but it could just be coincidence because I don't get it all the time anyway.

I'm acting on the theory that with the o-ring in place, jamming the cap on quickly may overpressurize the space around the tip of the pen a bit, causing the little ball to ever so slightly be unseated. Since the ink cartridge itself is pressurized (to allow upside down writing), a tiny blob of ink may slowly leak out over time, causing the ink blob issue.

I haven't yet tried leaving the pen uncapped and seeing if I still get the ink blob (with an ink cartridge that I know can have the problem).

I can totally argue against this theory, too, since the pressure within the ink cartridge should reseat the ball, but it seems to work so far.

My Fisher bullet pen has a notch moulded into the 'O' ring so that there is no seal between the cap and the body.

I feel it is a function of storage temperature. Hot=thin ink which extrudes past the ball.

I use the classic listo mechanical grease pencil for hard to mark on items.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_office...mp;node=1064954

Just saw the Sharpie liquid mechanical pencils and wondered what uses people find for them?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGHplKLz6JY

Apologies for the thread resurrection..

I would second Doug's recommendation of the Fisher Trekker. I have carried a number of pens in various EDC kits for many years, and the Trekker really is ideal.

- not affected by temperature extremes (like all Fishers) so left outdoors in the dead of winter it still writes. Left on the dash of the Jeep in the summer sun and it still writes.

- cap holds tightly, but is easy enough to pull.

- cap has a split ring so you can add it to your keys, or clip it to a pack. I carry mine on the outside of my EDC bag attached to the built in D ring. Easy to get to in a hurry without digging in a pocket.

- comes with a neck lanyard with a breakaway. Not my preferred method of carry, but handy on occasion; perhaps perfect for some.

- has a nubby, hard rubber sleeve on the body of the pen that makes for a good grip with cold fingers or sweaty dirty hands.


I still keep a Bullet in my pants pocket most days. It disappears in a pocket, so it's no trouble as a back up given that you can forget it is even there.

Though as mentioned above by another poster, any Victorionox Swiss Army knife with a pen is also a top notch back up. The Compact or Explorer being my top choices.

With regard to the Fisher ink issues, I have not experienced this, but I would remind everyone that we are talking about an EDC pen, not a letter writer. Something to endorse a check with.. Leave a quick note.. Jot down a phone number..

I would choose a different pen to write a letter or paper with, just as I don't cook meals at home in a canteen cup. That pen would have a host of issues that make it unsuitable for EDC use, so.. It comes down to "right tool for the job".


And I have no affiliation with Fisher. I like the Zebra pens as well. The F701 is my favorite. The 301 Compact is a terrific low cost small pen as well, and I carried one for a long time.