621 reviews
The Gerber Tactical Pen likely gets its name ‘Impromptu’ from the fact that it’s mostly a pen, with a convenient glass breaking tip jutting out from the business end of it. This means that with the click of a button the pen can switch from self defense tool, to a writing pen, and back to a weapon again.
This feature makes it more of a tactical ink pen than the competition that requires moving a lid from one end to the other to switch tool modes.
The integrated glass breaker tip is made of tempered steel and is “designed to get you out of trouble” which alludes to the fact that the steel tip can do more than just break glass. However, since the other end of the pen is a click button to make the pen tip come out I’m not sure how a stabbing or glass-breaking motion works while bracing your thumb over this button?
These quality Gerber pens are made in the USA and is fully steel – stainless steel outer shell with an all-metal retracting mechanism. The pen comes with a Write in the Rain ink cartridge for the gnarliest of conditions.
Some owners say that while the Gerber Impromptu Pen comes with a pocket clip, because the pen is built solidly out of high quality aluminum, it’s unlikely you’ll want to clip the pen onto your shirt pocket.
There are also quite a few people who have had issues with the pen not retracting, but instead staying clicked out. However, replacement through Amazon was always fast and trouble free. Unfortunately it leaves a bad taste after spending around $40 on a tactical pen.