The .30-06/.308 Bullet Pen

[mhphoto]

I love a gorgeous fountain pen, you love a gorgeous fountain pen. But let's face it, not everyone loves a gorgeous fountain pen. We've all encountered someone who looks at our gorgeous fountain pens and asks "doesn't that leak?" or "how does it work" or "it costs how much!?" or even "what's that? A little knife?" (last one is a true story, by the way).

 

Most people I know, while they may know what a FP is, don't really appreciate them. They like more boring—er, I mean, common—types of pens. But they still have a taste for the more unique common pens. And while I do appreciate gorgeous fountain pens, I'm also one of those folks who loves me a quality pen that's different from everything else out there. So that said, you can imagine how excited I was to try out two bullet pens built The Mighty Pen Company. Both of the pens are the .30-06/.308 Combo; one brass pen with copper accents, the other a nickel pen with gunmetal accents. And I hesitate to call these bullet pens novelties—though I do love novelty pens; I'm trying to find a reasonably priced Eskesen Tip & Strip—because they are so well made.

 

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Both pens have a price of $19.95 online, and are, at least for me, worth the money. I've been writing, playing, fiddling, and accidentally dropping them non-stop since I got them, and both pens write, function, feel, and look as good as new.

 

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Because there are two different versions of the same pen I'll review the two pens as a whole and then share my thoughts on the two different versions.

 

The pens came in identical packaging: long, thick baggies. Both pens came out polished and clean, and they both included a black Cross style refill (they're both medium tips, I believe). The models I got were the .30-06/.308 Combo. The top portion is an upwards facing .308 which backs up to the lower casing, a downwards facing .30-06. There are no external marks or logo, which I think is a shame. I'd love to see a Mighty Pen Co. logo, even if just initials. And it would, in full military fashion, have to be stamped into the casing.

 

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Extending the writing portion of the pen is achieved by twisting the top section clockwise. It takes three-quarters of a turn both ways, and because the turning action is so smooth it can easily be done one handed. In the hand both pens feel great. Because of the unconventional shape of a pen made with shell casings, I was a bit worried that writing with it might introduce extra strain, but I've found this to not be an issue at all. They sit naturally in my grip and are easy to write with. When writing there is a slight give with the refill, but it's only noticeable if you're looking for it and happens with every twist-action ballpoint I've ever used.

 

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The weight of both of the pens is similar (they're within a gram of each other), and for me they're both on the light side of perfect. I am partial to heavy pens (as evidenced by the solid copper monstrosity that is my EDC pen ), but the rational part of me takes over when I pick up a pen in the 30-70 grams. Must be the Goldilocks range.

 

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Construction on both pens is solid, with no give or looseness in any of the movable parts. Their clips are sturdy. If there's one thing in this world I hate, it's wimpy little pen clips that bend and break at the drop of a hat. No problem here. Changing out the refill is easy, just pull the two casings apart and unscrew the refill. Fit and finish are excellent, and tolerances are as tight as a new Kimber.

 

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The brass model is polished, and has no blemishes. Its trim is copper, and is more highly polished than the body, and is covered in epoxy, so it won't be developing a patina any time soon, and the brass sections are triple lacquered. One thing you have to worry about with brass and (especially) copper is tarnishing. The lacquer on the brass model makes this a non-issue. Hand smudges are inevitable, but they're hard to see and easy to wipe off. This model weighs 37 grams (1.31 oz.).

 

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The copper trim is beautiful.

 

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The nickel model is more, dare I say, tactical looking. The finish lacks the lacquer, and thus lacks the sheen of the brass model. And the gun metal trim has that smokey grey look—reminiscent of polished hematite—that I absolutely love. The surface is a bit grippier than the brass pen's, but the action is just as smooth. The nickel model weighs 38 grams (1.34 oz.).

 

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Both pens have proven durable and resilient to beatings. The nickel pen spent five minutes being thrown around the kitchen floor by our cat Tod before I realized what it was that he was playing with, and in the course of taking pictures I had two incidents with my butterfingers losing grip on the brass pen, sending it into the soulless void that is the underside of our deck. Neither pen has any blemishes following the incidents. I gave the nickel model to my wife and she's had no problems with it, other than people wanting to take a closer look when they notice it's made from shell casings.

 

The Cross refills the pens use are ubiquitous and available everywhere. They come in three colors: black, blue, and red. Black and blue both come in fine, medium, and broad. Red only comes in medium. Fisher also makes a Space Pen refill that will fit Cross style pens, but I haven't tried them. Past experience with BP refills tells me that the fine models are the smoothest writing, but I can't guarantee that with the Cross refills as I've yet to test anything but the medium.

 

Here are the pens next to some others. On the left is the copper Embassy Pen, and next to it is a dime-a-dozen Cross Classic Century. I meant to throw in my Parker and Monte Verde FPs in the mix but I couldn't find the MV and the Sonnet is so darn light I forgot I had it in my pocket.

 

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Overall I love these pens. One thing I was worried about was if they'd look like bullets in the "oh, look at me!" sense, but most people won't notice unless they take a second look. Obviously these pens aren't for everyone, but for people interested in firearms they're pretty darn cool. The pens are handsome, well crafted, and durable. Plus, you know, it's pretty awesome to use a couple of fired cartridges to write with. I spoke to the maker of the pens and he told me that he'll eventually be venturing off into rollerball and—le gasp!—fountain pen models. So I'll be waiting with bated breath for a crack at trying out the bullet fountain pen.

[rbadger332]

Nice! I once saw a BP pen made out of a .50 BMG fired casing. Was pretty huge. I like the back to back design of the 30-06 and .308 casings on these pens, though. Awesome.

[someonesdad]

I still have a Cross ball point pen that I bought in grad school 40+ years ago and hate its writing as much today as I did back then. So I certainly would not be a customer for one of these pens. But you did an outstanding job with the description and photography -- I'd like to see more reviews from you. I know from experience that it takes care to get those good photos.

 

I've been toying with the idea of making a fountain pen from a cartridge case, as I've got the tools to do it and my daughter loves both fountain pens and shooting, so I'd kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.

[mhphoto]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone!

 

Nice! I once saw a BP pen made out of a .50 BMG fired casing. Was pretty huge. I like the back to back design of the 30-06 and .308 casings on these pens, though. Awesome.

 

The .30-06/.308 is surprisingly comfortable, but I can imagine the .50 being waaaay too thick to be comfortable.

 

I still have a Cross ball point pen that I bought in grad school 40+ years ago and hate its writing as much today as I did back then. So I certainly would not be a customer for one of these pens. But you did an outstanding job with the description and photography -- I'd like to see more reviews from you. I know from experience that it takes care to get those good photos.

 

Thanks! I'm thinking about grabbing a few of the Fisher refills. I use the fine point black refill in my Embassy Pen and it's as smooth as butter. I actually just started writing a review on another Mighty Pen bullet pen: the .300 Win Mag/.300 WSM setup to take a Parker refill. It comes with a gel refill, but I'm also trying out the Parker BP, Mont Blanc BP, and the Fisher space pen refill (with adapter). Oddly enough, I've been mostly underwhelmed with the Mont Blanc. The Parker BP actually writes smoother and skips less. But I might've just gotten a bad example.

[koa]

Thanks for the review! But I have to say I am opposed to these pens, first because no one ever makes a fountain pen version, and second because it destroys the shell so you can't reload it when the Zombie apocalypse comes. I guess it would be more difficult to make the fountain pen version than it would be to be prepared for the latter.

 

(And isn't there a long history of guns disguised as pens, as opposed to pens disguised as ammo, anyway? I guess I am just ambivalent.)

Edited December 11, 2011 by koa

[akrishna59]

thank you for a pen with a difference.

 

i think grayson tighe has one or two models made from bullets, not sure. the pens are good and the photos are superb. it is always nice to see an unusual fp than the commonly known ones.

 

rgds.

 

krishna.

[someonesdad]

it destroys the shell so you can't reload it when the Zombie apocalypse comes.

Well, you should be reloading your own ammo and have tons of brass, so it shouldn't be a big loss. Besides, all your working ammo is .458 Magnum, not wimpy calibers like .308 or 30-06, right (zombies don't like .458's with solid brass bullets)?

[MR. PEN MAN]

Great review,

You convince me to get a couple of those pens, By way i have a bullet pen , i think 350 magnum, by fisher space pen but they don't have the clip like yours.

[benshepherd]

My son gave me one of those or one very similar. It's actually a nice pen. I need to get out the Brasso, it's looking a little tarnished.

[georges zaslavsky]

they should have made a fountain pen made of cal 50 casings. nice rollerball

[GemMayhem]

MH,

What a fabulous and thorough review! I especially appreciate all of the terrific photographs (and the time it takes to make them!). I am glad to hear there's a possibility that The Mighty Pen Company may venture into fountain pens someday.

 

In addition to sharing a great review, you gave me the perfect gift suggestion for someone on my gift list.

 

Thanks again for the terrific review!

 

All the Best,

Gem

[RubricOfRuin]

A very thorough review which I enjoyed. And a really interesting design for a pen!

 

Btw, a wild guess - the "what's that? A little knife?" story - it did not happen at an airport, did it? Because I had a similar situation (only they did not call it a "knife") with Parker 45 Flighter - and it was in EU airport, mind you!

[dadoody]

I have a 45acp bullet pen. It's called a Kimber TLE/RL 2. My favorite ink is Winchester White Box with an occasion dip into Winchester Rangers or Bonded PDX.

 

I have smooth flow and usually no feathering as long as I keep the "pen" cleaned and lubed.

[mhphoto]

I have a 45acp bullet pen. It's called a Kimber TLE/RL 2. My favorite ink is Winchester White Box with an occasion dip into Winchester Rangers or Bonded PDX.

 

I have smooth flow and usually no feathering as long as I keep the "pen" cleaned and lubed.

 

I see what you did there