For you aluminum pen lovers out there...

Greyfox

http://www.surefire.com/maxexp/main/co_dis...ire-Penandtrade

Bit late reply perhaps, but I've got one and I'm really impressed.
Hard anodized, touch clip, window breaking ball,
and a surprisingly good easyFlow 9000 M by Schmidt.
It writes just not as light as a fountain pen, but is, IMHO more smooth than a Rollerball (I find rollerballs scratchy)
and it has less drag then an Allwrite/Fisher.
All in all my Sailor 1911 Naginata Togi is no doubt better, but for a rough use pen,
the Surefire is much better.

I also picked up an EP 500 headset for my mobile. good stuff as well.
And an E1B backup. little critter that I like as well.
But I won't get into that to much

I've had my EWP-01 for a while now. I don't have as much experience with pens as many (or indeed most) on this forum but I'm very familiar with SureFire, so I'll try and give a few of my impressions of the SureFire Pen.

SureFire is known for its flashlights and weaponlights. It produces these lights primarily for military and law enforcement users, and accordingly they are built like tanks. The EWP-01 is their first (and currently only) step into the world of writing instruments, and as such I tried not to have any expectations when I bought it. I was pleased to see that their pen has followed suit and is an extremely well made piece of kit. Like their flashlights, the pen is machined out of a solid aluminium bar and finished with Type III anodising. This finish makes it very resilient to everyday wear-and-tear, and has held up well to over a month of being carried in a pocket with loose change and other items. Like most of their flashlights, the EWP-01 is individually serial-numbered. The serial number is only visible when the pen is extended for writing.

The pen writes very well. A lot smoother than I had imagined. It comes with a Schmidt cartridge, which flows very nicely and has yet to give me any problems. It's not quite as smooth as my fountain pen (Waterman), but it's pretty close. It's very comfortable to hold, but there's no getting around the fact that the EWP-01 is a heavy pen. If you don't like heavy pens then you had better steer clear of this one. Similarly, if you have small hands then it might no be for you. However, if you like a decent heft to your pen and you have average to large sized hands then the EWP-01 should provide quite a comfortable writing experience.

The EWP-01 can use a variety of different refills, but I haven't had the chance to test this out, myself. The Schimdt has performed well and has given me no reason to want to change to a different brand, so I will most likely just replace it with the same refill. Having said that, the adjustment you would need to make to adapt the pen for a different size refill seems fairly simple.

One of my favourite aspects of the SureFire pen is the clip. A small part of the pen, perhaps, but it makes a big difference to how I use it. I like to carry my pens (and SureFire flashlights) clipped to the corner of a front trouser pocket. With just about every other pen I have ever used, this feels very insecure. The clips don't seem get enough purchase on the pocket to hold it securely enough and I tend to find my hand forever resting over the top of the pen to make sure it hasn't fallen out. The clip on the SureFire holds the pen far more securely. I think this is due to a combination of the shape of the clip and the fact that it is a lot broader than any other pen clip I have seen. However, if you don't like the clip then it is easily detachable.

I can't vouch for the glass breaker as I haven't had cause to use it, and hopefully never will.

I hope this fairly long-winded first post will be of use to someone.

Regards,
Tempest

Tempest,

What a nice review! I've been using the SF pen as well now for three days and it does impress me as a pen that will last several years of EDCing.
I would like to ad someting to your review. IMHO the clip being so secure comes from the fact that it is a thick heavy stainless steel clip,
that has so much spring action into it, that when it is clipped over tick jeans-fabric it doesn't bend open. It slides on easily enough through the spring
action, but also holds tightly. And not because there are barbs on the back of the clip to damage your shirt or pants, it is just because of the spring action.

Did I mention spring action?

But this thing is one hell of a pen and I'm planning on using it like my titanium McLaren West ballpoint that lasted over 6 years before wearing out
the plastic internals. I could perhaps get some new internals in, but I opted for the SureFire Pen.
Be warned, using Surefire could lead to another addiction. I've got two flashlights from them, an EP500 headset for my mobile and also
a ballpoint. But, it is not like FP's you collect: the SF's will be used and will stand up the abuse of EDCing!

Tempest - nice review. Did you buy the pen in the UK? If so where?

Andy, there is a UK company called Nightgear that are a Surefire stockist in the UK. Not sure if they are stocking the pen yet but I'm sure they can order it for you

I didn't purchase it in the UK, I'm afraid. Fortunately I had a friend in the US send to me. The prices can be pretty prohibitive ordering from the UK.

I'm hoping they'll release a couple of other models after the EWP-01. They've certainly proved they're capable. A fountain pen is probably a bit unlikely, though...

SureFire also have the best warranty support I've encountered. I've only ever had experience with it regarding their flashlights, but I'm sure it extends to the pen as well.

Regards,
Tempest

It's a bit of a risk sometimes, but online there can be nice deals found.
I bought mine at the importer/sole dealer of them in the Netherlands,
and when I got home that afternoon, I found a € 80 deal instead of the official € 125 price.
Second hand, but unused. Bummer.
It is still available, so if you dare to buy from the Netherlands?!

The easyFlow 9000 in the SF is a very smooth writer. Very, very similar to a Pelikan 338, but can be left uncapped. I have both the SF and Ti Hinderer pens. The Hinderer is my EDC as it is the smaller and sturdier of the two, though the Fisher Bold tends to start and flow unevenly. The SF easyFlow is much smoother and more consistent in laying down ink. And therein lies the weakness (IMO) of the SF: The easyFlow 9000 cartridge is only available in medium (< 1.0 mm) point.