My first tank watch: the Orient CEVAC002WY

Hard to imagine that after all these years, the Orient CEVAC002WY is my first tank watch. I have loads of diver's, pilot watches, mil-spec timepieces, but this is my very first tank watch. And quite a beauty it is:







It wasn't an impulse buy since I already spotted it a week or so ago, but since our first meeting, it was horological love at first sight. Classic clean lines, legible dial, and most of all - titanium.









And best of all, a great price: PHP3,300 (USD$78). It was an offer I just couldn't refuse.

Smith & Wesson 2nd Gen Tactical Pen

It's been quite a while since my last entry. 2010 has zoomed by at light speed with nary a word from yours truly. I attribute this to the tons of changes that happened on the home front (new job, new toys, etc.) Anyways, I figured it was about time I started writing down all the important new gadgets I've acquired in the past few months.

So without further delay, I'd like to present the first of my many toys for 2010: Smith & Wesson's 2nd Generation Military and Police Tactical Pen, and its amusing product code: SWPENMPBK.


Still as mean as its predecessor with twice the versatility.


I like the addition of a lanyard hole. After all, what self respecting tactical device doesn't have one?

Made out of 6061 aircraft aluminum, the S&W 2nd Gen Tactical Pen features significant changes over the previous model, the SWPENBK

Better grip, easier to use
Gone are the fluting on the body which according to users of the previous model hindered its usability. Instead we now find some rings on the aluminum body and some nice knurling in the pen's mid-section. Definitely aids in gripping. One could even add some paracord to the mid-section and create an even better grip.


Less conspicuous tip, better body grip. Very dart-like in appearance.

New business end
Also altered are the aggressive tip on the previous model which has been now replaced with a more civil-looking bullet shaped tip. Less medieval-looking than its predecessor the new look in my opinion would enormously aid in making the pen less conspicuous and less likely to be considered a weapon. In spite of its "friendlier" looking shape the 2nd Gen Tactical Pen can still get the job done. Striking at pressure points would still yield the same painful results.



New cap retention system
Another important change applied was the pen cap. The extremely well-made metal clip is still there but the new model no longer screws down on the pen. Instead, the screw treads have now been replaced with a plastic liner with little "bumps" along the interior to help retain the cap on the pen via friction. It makes the pen now easier to open and close. No more twisting necessary. A lanyard hole has also been added affording neck carry option for those who desire to carry their pens in this fashion.


Brand new cap retention system.

At first I was a bit concerned with the dependability of this new friction retention system. The last thing I want is for me to find that all I had left was a cap and that I had just lost the rather expensive pen that came with it. But a few snaps on and off convinced me that the new retention system could be equally reliable if not better than its screw down predecessor.

For one, the friction system makes the pen look more ordinary and less weaponized than it needs as opposed to something that requires screwing down. After all, what regular pen uses a screw down cap? And looking less like a weapon means its also less noticeable and less likely to be regarded as a threat. And being less noticeable is one of the main reasons for getting a tactical pen in the first place.

Another big plus for the cap friction retention system is now you can actually snap the cap on the other side of the pen like any regular writing instrument.


Nice balanced look. In a pinch the pen could also probably double as a dulo dulo.

Why a tactical pen?
Different people will have different answers to this question. For me it boils down to one simple thing: legality. In most parts of the world, at least in places where weapons are needed most, it is usually illegal to carry a bladed weapon or a firearm. Pepper spray would be another viable alternative if permitted by law (I also carry one), but in some places even this is restricted as well. Being legal means a tactical pen can be on my person always.

For me the tactical pen is the perfect weapon for someone wishing to be discrete. It’s also an impact weapon making it easier to use. Used to deliver hammer blows to pressure points, it is definitely more versatile than brass knuckles which require hits to the head area for maximum effect. Aside from being able to smash skulls, the tactical pen would be equally effective to strikes to the head, arm, hands, throat, abdomen, sternum, the list goes on.

Hammer strikes are the way to go with a tactical pen.

Oh and one more thing, the pen (which takes Parker refills) writes well too.