Here is a picture of the different types of Fisher Space Pens I currently own. I have additional copies but these represent the different models I have in my inventory. There is a reason why I own several of these remarkable pens.

You could say I am a fan of Fisher Space Pens and for good reason. A long time ago, I was researching pens that could withstand the rigors of Arizona’s hot climate. As a hiker/biker/camper, I wanted pens that wouldn’t dry-out or blow-up on me when I was on an adventure. One of the worst feelings is needing something to work and that item lets you down. So I purchased my first Space Pen about twelve years ago.

During that time, I came to rely on my (M4B) Military Pen when I was out and about. I eventually included one in my car kit so I would have a rugged pen that I could count on even during the middle of summer. When I got into prepping more seriously (circa 2011) I decided to buy a couple of Bullets that I could throw in my backpacks and forget about. In the last year I decided to try a couple more of their models to see how they worked out. With that, here are my experiences with each model that I own.

Zero Gravity

This is one of the Space Pens I purchased in the last year. I wanted to see how well I liked it because it is a full-sized pen like my trusty M4B. Well, actually it is bigger than the M4B, which limits its usage in my various kits. Since it is wide, it doesn’t stow as easy as the other pens in my collection. Because of this, I hardly use it. I want to like this pen but since I hardly use it, I don’t have a lot of experience with it.

Cap-O-Matic

I actually didn’t buy the two that I have, they were given to me when I ordered my Space Pens through the manufacturer’s website! While these pens are not as rugged as the other ones, I use them a lot in my home office. Their touch tip hasn’t given me any problems and works as advertised. Let me say that I am pleasant surprised by these two freebies and will continue to use them.

Trekker

This is the one currently on my EDC key ring. It replaced the Inka that I used to carry and consider it an upgrade. This pen is very rugged and has come in handy more than a few times. I am sold on this one, the Trekker has been a lot of places with me and I never have to worry about it. The only complaint I have is that the finish is wearing out faster than expected because it is clanking against other items on my key chain. Not a big deal, just a minor disappointment.

Bullet

I think I have four or five of these in various kits. However, I don’t use them very often because of their small size. I find them harder to use than the other pens in my inventory, so these are mostly used as backups. The design is cool and sleek, but I don’t like any pen that has a removable cap. I have lost many caps over the years so this isn’t a complaint about a particular Space Pen. For my backpacks and Go Bag though, they are perfect stow away items. I’ve also given them as gifts and people like them a lot.

M4B Military Pen

This was my first Space Pen and remains my favorite. The main reason is that it is a push button pen that is the perfect size for me. I keep these in my cars, my Rite In The Rain folios, and in my office. They have never let me down and I enjoy using them. The clip is sturdy and the matte finish has proven durable over the years. There are many different styles of this pen but I like the simple ones for my use. If you need a pen that will work wherever you are and will last for years, this is the one to get.

Tough Touch

I purchased this one in the hopes that it could be my EDC pen. Well, the pen part works like a champ…but the touch part isn’t so tough. I put this one on my key chain after I bought it, but after a few weeks the touch button fell off! It was disappointing because I liked having it for my smart phone. It wrote like a champ, very similar to the Trekker, but the touch button proved to be it’s downfall. I’m going to see if Fisher can fix or replace it because I would love to have this one as part of my EDC. We’ll see what happens but sadly, this particular Space Pen isn’t ready for my daily use.

Besides purchasing these Space Pen models, I obtained several pressurized ink cartridges. All of the models I own use the same cartridge, so I don’t have to keep different ones on-hand as replacements. This simplifies my supply chain, which is always good. If I want, I can get different colors and tip sizes but I am sticking with plain old black ink for now. Parts commonality is a good thing, which is another reason why I am a huge fan of these pens.

I would highly recommend Fisher Space Pens to anybody who is even remotely interested in preparation. They work like a charm in extreme conditions and are relatively inexpensive. Plus, they are proudly made in the USA so buying them supports American business. Consider buying some for your kits as well as your household, you will not regret it.