Fisher Bullet Space Pen For Everyday Carry Writing Convenience

I keep a Fisher “Bullet Space Pen” in my pocket, nearly all of the time. That, along with a small mini notebook.

“Hey Ken, why do you keep a pen in your pocket, and why that one?”

I’m glad you asked…

I just wanted to fill you in on something that I carry in my pocket as part of my everyday carry items. It’s something that you might consider a bit “old school” – especially by those of the smart phone generation. But it’s called a “pen”.

But it’s not just any pen:

It’s a small “bullet pen”, also known as the “space pen”.

Fisher 400B Bullet Space Pen
(view on amzn)

Why is it called a Space Pen?

Because years ago a unique ink pen cartridge was designed for astronauts in space. It was specifically designed to write in zero gravity, under a vacuum, and in extreme heat and cold.

The pen cartridge (holding the ink) is under pressure. This enables the ink to flow regardless of the pen’s orientation (upside down, etc..).

Astronauts initially used pencils on space flights. But those writing instruments were not ideal: pencil tips can flake and break off, and having such objects floating around space capsules in near-zero gravity posed a potential harm to astronauts and equipment.

The “space pen” that has since become famous through its use by astronauts was developed independently by Paul C. Fisher of the Fisher Pen Company. He spent his own money on the project. Once he perfected his AG-7 “Anti-Gravity” Space Pen, he offered it to NASA.

Why I Use The Space Pen

Because I can’t remember everything. And, because it’s very small (fits in my pocket), has a protective cap (which prevents ink stains!), and it always “writes”.

Often times, “thoughts” come to mind while out-and-about, working around the homestead, etc.. Why try to remember everything when you can just write it down?

Examples:

  • something I need to buy
  • something I need (or want) to do (another project!)
  • the “honey do” list
  • specific store list (e.g. hardware store, or grocery store, etc..)
  • maybe an idea for an MSB article
  • you get the idea… there are lots of examples ;)

There’s something about reviewing written (scribbled?) paper notes…

I like it when something is completed and I can draw a line through it! A sense of accomplishment.

More About The Fisher Space Pen:

The little bullet pen is made in two sections. When not in use the cap extender slips over the pen and is held in place by a small o-ring. The o-ring provides just enough friction to keep it snug when inserted.

A tremendous advantage of this particular pen is that there is absolutely no way that ink will ever leak onto your clothes (because it’s capped).

When it’s time to write, simply pull the cap off and slip it onto the other end – which effectively lengthens it to that of a regular pen.

Anyway, from a preparedness standpoint, it’s a nice little system. I don’t know how many times I’ve reached into my pocket, retrieved the bullet pen (and mini notepad) and scribbled a note.

Anyone else out there who writes paper notes for things?

[ Read: How To Remember Things The Easy Way ]

18 Comments

    1. The thing is totally sealed; no way for water to get into the guts of the thing.

    1. Yup,
      buy a Rockler cabinet makers pencil set for 9.99 instead and go get lunch somewhere too

    2. Nah, not for me anyway. It’s well worth the form-factor – being able to keep such a small pen in my pocket for daily use without discomfort – or without a concern for ink stains. But that’s just me.

      I’ll eat the hamburger for a day rather than the steak to make up for it ;)

    3. Keep it in your go bag with a wet & dry notebook. The pen will survive intense cold and heat, and will be ready to go when you need it. Stick a Bic pen in your go bag, and one of two things will happen to it over time; it’ll either leak all over the contents of the bag, or it’ll dry out.

  1. Before my father-in-law passed away, we boxed up the contents of his home office and put it in the barn. I seem to remember a small pen. His brother worked for NASA and directly with the astronauts during the Apollo missions. I think I’ll pull that box and I hope to find what I now know is a “space pen.” I love treasure hunts!
    I also love making lists and crossing off accomplishments. Favorite writing instrument is the amber colored Paper Mate mechanical pencil With the pink eraser. Do not get the cheap, dollar store mechanical pencils with white erasers; the eraser part leaves gray smudges.

  2. I have carried one for years along with rite in the rain note pad. I was always raise with the saying ” if you want to get paid have a pen in your pocket”
    Mine have be several times through the wash. Note dont worry about the color in time it will peel and be all brass

  3. Much to my chagrin, I use my smart phone for notes… A LOT! It’s usually always with me, easy to organize and delete items that are no longer relevant.

    While I understand wanting to carry a pen with you, it seems to me the better one would be the CRKT Tactical pen. Just my humble opinion.

    1. Smartphones crap out. Under it all, the tactical pen is just a pen, with all if the faults of “just a pen.”

      Try putting a tactical pen and a space pen in the glove box of your car in desert heat. Then test them six months from now…

  4. I’ve got one of these that commemorated the first moon landing! That makes it almost 60 years old… and it STILL WRITES!

  5. – I was given one of these when I was in high school. I took it to college with me for a couple of years, and then went into the Army.

    It was more or less pounded into us that a pen was part of our uniform; when I lost it somewhere, I did not replace it as my supervisors wanted to see a ballpoint in my pocket of my (medical) whites. Prior to that, I would be harassed frequently by my superiors. Put a Skilcraft in my pocket, and that stopped. Ruined a few shirts, though.

    Nowadays, I keep a Zebra pen in my pocket, and a Cross Classic for dress-up

    – Papa S.

  6. I have come to like 2 pens specifically over my 15 year career. The Zebra F-701 its all heavy duty stainless steel (SS) with a nice knurled grip. I also like the Parker Jotter in SS. No grips just smooth SS. Both are all SS and can be wiped with bleach wipes, Purell, etc and not rust or erode from the alcohol/chemicals. Both are about $10 and can be found on Amazon/ Staples as well as all refills. I use a pen and a pad all the time. The new guys at work love their fancy digital note pads, kinda funny with they lose the S-Pen or the like and they cant work it. Sometimes old school rules.

    1. I call my post-it notes and Fisher cartridge my personal analog assistant. The young whippersnappers don’t remember Blackberry let alone the Palm so they never get the joke.

      1. HA! I had two Blackberries. I recall the Palm Pilot but never owned one. When I see the newbies write on their hands I’ll later ask them a question that I know they wrote the answer on their hand. I’ll say check your Palm Pilot. lol. Most don’t get it a few do.

  7. the size looks like it would work good at digging into an ear, a $23 Q-tip.

  8. This is a good idea, however I have more of a problem with the little notebook, gets pretty roughed up. I have used a micro cassette recorder but I prefer the pre-digital model as you don’t have to turn it on and wait. The manual one is activated with a push of the record button. The digital one, I have a Sony IC recorder, is nice because it will download podcasts and has software to transfer your recordings to it’s software. It also has a micro SD on which you can load up your audiobooks or tunes, or any mp3 file.

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