Metal alloys you can write with - should be on MTs

[Andreas]

There are some companies out there that sell so called "metal pens", such as vat19: http://www.vat19.com/dvds/the-inkless-metal-pen.cfm
They use a special metal alloy that you can write with, something in between ink and a pencil that never runs out
So I was thinking: why in the name of the easter bunny doesn't anyone incorporate this into a multitool? I'd have loved to trade out one of the smaller tools on my PS4 for a metal piece that I could write with like that. In fact I had planner on trying to make one out of one of the pen tips, but between the cost of the pen and the work involved I don't think I'll bother.

[John]

Never seen one of those before 

[Mr. Whippy]

Hmm...

Sez the alloy contains minute amounts of lead.  Not very environmentally friendly.  Minute amounts X 10,000's of pens = Plumbism at sometime...

[John]

Hmm...

Sez the alloy contains minute amounts of lead.  Not very environmentally friendly.  Minute amounts X 10,000's of pens = Plumbism at sometime...

Hmm! never thought of that 

[Andreas]

Lol, I think the world will survive. After all, these pens will literally last a lifetime and save the planet from a lot of broken pens and penciles, and cost enough that they're not likely to be thrown away.

[John]

Lol, I think the world will survive. After all, these pens will literally last a lifetime and save the planet from a lot of broken pens and penciles, and cost enough that they're not likely to be thrown away.

Thanks makes my guilt go away  

[Neil]

Cheaper source if you're this side of the planet...

http://www.grand-illusions.com/acatalog/Metal_Pen.html#a48

http://www.grand-illusions.com/acatalog/Beta_Pen.html#a167

Key ring version... http://www.grand-illusions.com/acatalog/Metal_Pen_Key_Ring.html#aMetal_20Pen_20Key_20Ring

[John]

  Neil I likey the key ring one 

[Mr. Whippy]

The papers etc which are written on with this pen are non-point sources of lead contamination.  It's not just the pen.  Again, this is a problem related to numbers, not the amount released by 1 or 20 pens.

One could use the same argument against recycling mercury containing electronics.

[Freudian Frog]

Well, specifically it states that it contains less than what the EPA defines as a harmful amount. Someone look that up, I'm too lazy. XD

Oh Gods I want one.

[Benner]

Cool site that Neil.

[edcgear]

Keychain one... 

[John]

Sod it!   I'm getting one and when I'm gone I'll take the doomsday pen with me,it will be safe     (Inert) six feet under  

[Andreas]

The amount of alloy left on the paper is so small the tip never gets dull with any reasonable use over years and years. That amount of lead is so ridiculously small that you'll be exposed to more lead just from living a normal life, with all the old crap around from when no one knew it was dangerous.

Anyways, yes they exist. Point was: put them in MTs  

[edcgear]

The amount of alloy left on the paper is so small the tip never gets dull with any reasonable use over years and years. That amount of lead is so ridiculously small that you'll be exposed to more lead just from living a normal life, with all the old crap around from where no one knew it was dangerous.

Anyways, yes they exist. Point was: put them in MTs 

 

[John]

Cool site that Neil.

Don't go there it eats paypal and CC's   

[Gareth]

I never quite got the whole pen on a SAK etc.  They're never comfy to use IMO.  I just always carry a pen or pencil stub at the very least, it's not like they're heavy or take up lots of room in a pocket.

[Andreas]

It's all about having a pen at all times. The removable pen in my vic swisscard lite is not very comfortable, but on my signature lite it's not bad since I can flip out the file and have something more full sized. On my PS4 the same could be done with flipping out one handle and using it as a slightly bent but still usable pen

[Neil]

I almost always have a small pen in my pocket but there have been numerous times I've been thankful of the one in the scales of a SAK

[Gareth]

It's all about having a pen at all times. The removable pen in my vic swisscard lite is not very comfortable, but on my signature lite it's not bad since I can flip out the file and have something more full sized. On my PS4 the same could be done with flipping out one handle and using it as a slightly bent but still usable pen

I get the reason for having one there, it's just not one I find (for myself at least) particularly important.  To my way of thinking what a multitool does is offer a selection of tools that would be impractical to carry in a full sized format; carrying a file, saw, pair of scissors, pliers, selection of screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener etc just isn't practical.  In fact carrying any single one of these items isn't particularly practical.

Sticking a pen or pencil in my pocket?  I can just about cope with remembering to do that.  And if you want something small then you can get just about any size of pen or pencil you want, taking up no appreciable room or weight in a pocket and still being more convenient to write with than something on a multitool.  

As ever YMMV.

[John]

Sometimes I need to draw my pen out fast if I don't I could forget what I was going to write in the first place  putting one in a multitool would slow down that process, for me I like the pen to be fast at hand 

[Andreas]

Yeah of course it depends on personal preference. I carry a PS4 and a Streamlight Nano, that's about as big I want to go for EDC. I have larger multitools, larger flashlights, an inkapen on the way etc that go with me when I have a bag or something but I'm very fond of the idea of bringing four things when I go anywhere; wallet, PS4, iPhone, neck lanyard with keys/streamlight/painkiller

I'll probably end up finding a spot for the inkapen in my wallet though. Between the swisscard, spare contacts, a 16GB flashdrive and various plastic cards it's already thicker than I'd like