To everyone else they"re stylish writing instruments designed with all of the fine qualities you would expect in a nice pen, but to you they"re more than that. A former Recon Marine with decades long martial arts training, and an immersion into the Far Eastern cultures helped custom knife maker Allen Elishewitz to design these Tao and Tao Ti (Titanium) pens. Each is a clean, futuristic interpretation of one of mankind"s basic tools, much the same as Allen does with his many successful knife designs. The tactical pens are high-tech writing instruments that can be used as self-defense enforcers if need be. Made of either precision-machined aluminum or titanium (depending on model), and hard-coat color anodized, they offer lasting durability and toughness. The heavy caps are either threaded or snap fit so that they will not pull off in use, and are castellated for greater impact. The flutes, grooves and body tapers on the pens, combined with the pewter-toned stainless steel pocket clip, provide a secure grip. with some basic instruction or knowledge, one can readily use the pens against an assailant or attacker to inflict notice, pain or injury-thwarting an otherwise potentially defenseless act. And, they"re just plain great writing instruments as well.