Any love for Fisher Space Pens?

[nehpets4627]

I'm not a collector, but I enjoy having a nice pen or two to carry. I never have for any extended period of time because I'm also prone to forgetting/losing things. That said, I'm changing up many of my habits and rituals (starting with moving to DE shaving), so having a nicer-than-disposable pen on-hand at all times is now something I'm striving for. I'm also an aviation/space nerd and an Aerospace Engineer by degree (now in a different industry). I've always been intrigued by the Fisher Space Pens.

I'm currently carrying either a Chrome Cap-O-Matic (M4C) or Lacquered Brass Cap-O-Matic Slim (M5G) depending on what watch I'm wearing. These sell for around $10 but look classy (not out-of-place even when meeting with C-level execs), write smooth, have decent mechanisms, and there won't be any tears if I do lose one.

My next purchase will likely be a Gold Grid Shuttle (G4), Black Grid Shuttle (B4), or Original Astronaut (AG7). I'm leaning towards the Gold Grid Shuttle because it can be carried with several different watches, I like the grid texture, and it shares a lot with the Original Astronaut in terms of mechanism but at a lower price point.

I'm also planning on picking up a bullet to stick in my wallet, a good habit I made back in high-school and college before I started carrying a longer/taller wallet.

Anyone else out there like, carry, own, or despise Fisher Space Pens?

[Walker]

I have a couple bullets. They live up to there name and write on everything.

[dpm802]

I have two bullets, both in gold.

One is a beat-up, scratched up, utility pen that I carry at work. It's on its second cartridge, a fine blue tip.

The other one is pristine and shiny, with the original medium black cartridge, and I use it on my day's off.

I don't leave home without it, or my Moleskine notebook in my pocket.

[Ferengi]

I own two Fisher Space Pens that I bought in the mid-80's and carried throughout my LE career. Still have them and buy refills when they run out of ink. Chrome caps and red barrels, click to open. Best pens I've ever owned next to my Parker 51's.

[IronJohn]

I loved my Original Astronaut (AG7), with fine point replacement. I carried it everywhere and wrote everything until just two weeks ago it went missing. I cannot tell you how sad I am being without it.

I absolutely love Fisher Pens.

I carry my silver bullet pen now, which is a good pen, but I truly miss my AG7.

[Walker]

Very good pens that live up to there name including writing upside down. When the sweats dripping off of me and onto the paper i'm writing on it writes through the sweat because of the pressurized cartridge. Try doing that with a Bic

[rickboone1]

I always carry a fountain pen but have a space pen nearby. Always. If not in the same pocket. I have a Police Pro, 0 Gravity and Gold bullet pen. Had a nice green bullet but lost it. And, my Sensa pen has a Fisher refill in it.

[Alacrity59]

I've carried a bullet pen in my pocket for a couple of years. It is a flat black model. It is showing the brass around the edges so I guess it will really start to look nice in about 20 years.

[gobeavs]

I love my bullet space pen. I carry it everyday, either with a hipster PDA or one of my Moleskin notebooks.

Works great.

[Jethro1984]

I have 2 of these. One is blue/silver and is from the Smithsonian Institution (a gift from my father when I was really young). The other is black and silver and has the words "Space Shuttle" printed on it along with the symbol of a shuttle and is from the Space museum in Ohio. They are both very nice pens but I never use them and subsequently both of the tips are probably all gunked up again.

[instpasr]

I have a couple of bullets but I carry a rite in the rain version as a duty pen when I'm in uniform one with black ink and one with red.

[nehpets4627]

I loved my Original Astronaut (AG7), with fine point replacement. I carried it everywhere and wrote everything until just two weeks ago it went missing. I cannot tell you how sad I am being without it.

If you want to replace the AG7 with something similar but at about 1/2 the price, the Shuttle series has a very similar mechanism (a bit more plastic in the mechanism) and uses the same refill as the AG7 and most other space pens. The Gold Grid and Black Grid Shuttle pens are, IMHO, the best looking pens Fisher makes... and only $25.

[xillion]

I have carried a chrome Bullet Space Pen in my wallet since 95.
I also have one in matte black, but my favorite is this one with the TiN finish.
http://www.christophermendoza.com/razors/ti%20spacepen.jpg

[craig87c]

I'd love to have one of these actually. I usually have a Chinese Parker 51 knockoff, but would like something a little more conventional for writing on duplicate and triplicate paper at work.

Any recommended vendors?

[xillion]

Any recommended vendors?

Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=fisher+space+pen&x=0&y=0) has many nice ones to choose from.

[nehpets4627]

Amazon has pretty much the entire line at average prices. If you're a Prime member they might make the most sense. Cyber Space Pens is another great vendor... has the whole line and is very knowledgeable about them. Cyber Space Pens also has a very active eBay presence, so if you have eBay bucks lying around you can buy from them and still get great service.

[Pebcak]

They're my favorite non fountain pen pen. :wink2:

[demaro]

I have one , not sure what model it is. It is red white and blue. I bought it in 1980 when my 8th grade science teacher told the class about the space pen he always carries.

[Gruder]

I own two. One stays on the nightstand, the other in the folio that accompanies me to both lectures and meetings (usually alongside a fountain pen if I anticipate taking plenty of notes). Both get used regularly. I, too, see these as excellent accompaniments to fountain pens. :thumbup1:

[Walker]

Any recommended vendors?

Do you have a Staples around you? They had a Fisher display in mine so i take it there a Vendor. If not Amazon is a good place.

[binowatch]

The US spent millions of dollars developing the Fischer Space pen with its special pressurized cartridge, special ink etc. for the astronauts to use in 0 gravity. When the details of the Russian space program became available it was found they also had an instrument that met all the same criteria - a lead pencil! Rather like the 5 blade, vibrating, lube striped $4 cartridge vs a 20 cent DE in a 100 year old junk store razor!

[Groat]

The US spent millions of dollars developing the Fischer Space pen with its special pressurized cartridge, special ink etc. for the astronauts to use in 0 gravity. When the details of the Russian space program became available it was found they also had an instrument that met all the same criteria - a lead pencil! Rather like the 5 blade, vibrating, lube striped $4 cartridge vs a 20 cent DE in a 100 year old junk store razor!

This is actually not true. From Wikipedia:

Russian cosmonauts used pencils, and grease pencils on plastic slates until also adopting a space pen in 1969 with a purchase of 100 units for use on all future missions. NASA programs previously used pencils (for example a 1965 order of mechanical pencils) but because of the danger that a broken-off pencil tip poses in zero gravity and the flammable nature of the wood present in pencils a better solution was needed. NASA never approached Paul Fisher to develop a pen, nor did Fisher receive any government funding for the pen's development. Fisher invented it independently, and then asked NASA to try it. After the introduction of the AG7 Space Pen, both the American and Soviet (later Russian) space agencies adopted it.

[binowatch]

I never knew that and stand corrected - thanks!

[nehpets4627]

Also, NASA did not spend any money developing the Space Pen. Paul C. Fisher developed the pen on his own, at his own cost, and then pitched it to NASA.

[craig87c]

I own two. One stays on the nightstand, the other in the folio that accompanies me to both lectures and meetings (usually alongside a fountain pen if I anticipate taking plenty of notes). Both get used regularly. I, too, see these as excellent accompaniments to fountain pens. :thumbup1:

This is basically what I'm looking for. I can't write for long amounts of time with anything other than a fountain pen.


Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=fisher+space+pen&x=0&y=0) has many nice ones to choose from.

SO MANY CHOICES! I need something that won't get too scratched up, and something approaching full sized, unless the bullet pens are easy enough to use. Any recommendations for me?

[xillion]

This is basically what I'm looking for. I can't write for long amounts of time with anything other than a fountain pen.

SO MANY CHOICES! I need something that won't get too scratched up, and something approaching full sized, unless the bullet pens are easy enough to use. Any recommendations for me?

The Bullet is nearly full size when open. I have big hands and the Bullet is very comfortable. The chrome bullet below has been in my pocket everyday since 95 and it still looks great.

Here is a quick phone pic I took with the Bullet next to a Uni-Ball Signo. Each square on the grid is 1 inch.

[craig87c]

Just purchased a chrome bullet space pen. Should get it by Wednesday! Fountain pen will still be used in class and for any personal writing, but this will (hopefully) be used for everything else! $14.49 after taxes + free two-day shipping, so this didn't break the bank for me.

I'll certainly upgrade to a full-sized AG7 if I like the bullet enough though.

[xillion]

Just purchased a chrome bullet space pen. Should get it by Wednesday! Fountain pen will still be used in class and for any personal writing, but this will (hopefully) be used for everything else! $14.49 after taxes + free two-day shipping, so this didn't break the bank for me.

:thumbup1: It is a great pen, hope you enjoy it.

[nehpets4627]

The Bullet is a great pen to carry, especially in a wallet or pants pocket. That said, I know I would be much more prone to lose a pen carried in my pants pocket than one clipped to my shirt collar or in my shirt pocket. That's the habbit I'm getting into with my Cap-O-Matics, which I don't think you can beat for $10, both in terms of performance and professional appearance. I'm carrying my Lacquered Brass Cap-O-Matic Slim (M5G) today, since I'm wearing a gold watch (Invicta Signature Russian Diver). Most days it's the Chrome Cap-O-Matic (M4C) along with a silver watch (Seiko Flight Computer).

If you don't want to make the price jump from Bullet to AG7, check out the Shuttle line... similar size and mechanism to the AG7, more color/finish options, ~1/2 the price, same refill, and same lifetime warranty (as all the Space Pens). I also like that the Shuttle has less taper than the AG7, but has just a slightly smaller overall diameter. A G4 Gold Grid Shuttle and/or B4 Black Grid Shuttle is going to be my next purchase.

http://www.spacepen.com/images/products/detail/G4.jpg

http://www.spacepen.com/images/products/detail/B4.jpg

[craig87c]

Got the pen in a couple of hours ago. Here are my thoughts that I wrote down (Black and Red notebook)

Needs to be posted to work comfortably in my hands (I'm 6'1" or 2"). Writes great on skin (great because I do that a lot). Ink smudges a bit but nothing crazy- certainly not as much as a fountain pen.

I think the cap is made of plastic. What's up with that? (I'm really annoyed about this. I thought the entire pen was brass plated chrome!)

I doubt I'll be writing upside-down much, but the pen does write great while inverted.

[nehpets4627]

I've had a handful of Bullet Space Pens over the past 10-12 years (most recently 2-3 years ago), at least 2 each in chrome and matte black, and they've all had metal caps and removable metal clips. Thinking back, I remember the matte black versions being bare brass on the inside of the cap. I can't recall the color inside the caps of the chrome versions, but I know they were metal caps. If they have changed over to plastic caps, that's a big step back.

[sup909]

I actually have an incredible pen called the "Embassy Pen" which uses a Fisher cartridge. Love this pen.

http://www.countycomm.com/PEN.htm

http://www.countycomm.com/IMG_1193.JPG

[craig87c]

I've had a handful of Bullet Space Pens over the past 10-12 years (most recently 2-3 years ago), at least 2 each in chrome and matte black, and they've all had metal caps and removable metal clips. Thinking back, I remember the matte black versions being bare brass on the inside of the cap. I can't recall the color inside the caps of the chrome versions, but I know they were metal caps. If they have changed over to plastic caps, that's a big step back.

The inside is a light yellow, doesn't look like brass to me. It's very light but coated in chrome on the outside. It doesn't sound like plastic or metal when I tap just the cap, sorta in between. If the cap is plastic, I'm going to be annoyed. Didn't get a clip either. Guess that's what $15 gets me.

PS: I emailed Fisher to ask if they've changed their manufacturing process. Will update with a response if I get one.

[nehpets4627]

Almost all of the Bullet color/finish options are available with or without clip, you just have to pay attention to which you are ordering. There's usually a minimal ($1ish) difference in the clip and non-clip version. You can also buy the cap separately for $2ish. I really doubt it's plastic, but probably just thinner sheet metal.

The Cap-O-Matic can be had for $10 and is an excellent more traditional full-length pen, so $15 should get you a solid pen in the form of the Bullet. I hope quality of the Bullet hasn't decreased in the past couple of year, but I remember mine from 2-3 years ago being solid and holding up to a good bit of day-do-day bump-and-bang being carried in my wallet. Whenever I replace my large passport wallet with a more traditional bifold, I'll probably pick up a new bullet for that purpose.

[Groat]

http://www.countycomm.com/IMG_1193.JPG

Now that is one incredibly aggressive looking pen. Looks like it could do a number on your pocket.

[nehpets4627]

Now that is one incredibly aggressive looking pen. Looks like it could do a number on your pocket.

They say there are "specific reasons" why the cap doesn't fit on the back, as if those reasons are some type of classified field tactic... anyone more in the know able to elaborate on these tactical elements?

[instpasr]

I believe that pen was designed as a last ditch self defense weapon, the non ability to place the cap on the tail I haven't a clue. Maybe it's to make you lose it and need and to order another. :001_unsur

[Walker]

The inside is a light yellow, doesn't look like brass to me. It's very light but coated in chrome on the outside. It doesn't sound like plastic or metal when I tap just the cap, sorta in between. If the cap is plastic, I'm going to be annoyed. Didn't get a clip either. Guess that's what $15 gets me.

PS: I emailed Fisher to ask if they've changed their manufacturing process. Will update with a response if I get one.


After reading this i pulled mine out to investigate. I can't tell if the cap is brass beacause of overspray from when the cap got painted black and i'm not going to scuff it up to find out. But it is metal and mine has the clip. Maybe that is also a defferance between the clip and non-clip version, one is metal and the other is plastic? i dunno. I got mine at Staples

[Walker]

I actually have an incredible pen called the "Embassy Pen" which uses a Fisher cartridge. Love this pen.

http://www.countycomm.com/PEN.htm

http://www.countycomm.com/IMG_1193.JPG

I think this will be my next order :drool:

[VampyreWolf]

Bought my first bullet about 8 years ago, bought a replacement about 6yrs ago when I lost the first one, and it's in my desk at home... also have another fisher in my pocket all the time beside the pen and pencil set.

You don't know how useful it is for making a not on a piece of paper just writing against the wall rather than having to hunt for a flat surface like a normal pen. I go through a refill in a couple months.

[xillion]

The inside is a light yellow, doesn't look like brass to me. It's very light but coated in chrome on the outside. It doesn't sound like plastic or metal when I tap just the cap, sorta in between. If the cap is plastic, I'm going to be annoyed. Didn't get a clip either. Guess that's what $15 gets me.

PS: I emailed Fisher to ask if they've changed their manufacturing process. Will update with a response if I get one.

All of the Bullets that I own have metal caps, without the clip. I weighed the cap on my chrome one and it comes in at 4 grams and I can see brass on the inside when I shine a light in the cap, but my chrome bullet is 16 years old.
I also have a newer bullet, maybe 4 years old, in TiN and the cap also weights in at 4 grams and I can see brass on the inside.
It would be a shame if the caps have gone plastic. Please let us know what Fisher says.

[nehpets4627]

I'll be picking up a Bullet soon as well, just as soon as I get a new wallet... It will probably be a Chrome + Clip, though possibly Laquered Brass + Clip... may even go with the X-Mark just to be a little different (only difference I can see being the squared off top of the cap). Either way, I'll report back on the cap material.

[Arctic]

I carried a CH4SH for a few years back in school until it went missing. I liked it a lot. I'd probably better order another one soon. :rolleyes:

[craig87c]

So I got a reply from Fisher


Hi Craig,

Thank you for contacting Fisher Space pen Company. Not knowing which bullet pen You purchased I have attached a catalog for you to compare. Our # 400 chrome bullet has Not changed. I hope this information is helpful if there is anything else we can assist you with Please call 1-800-634-3494

So that's good news. I love the Bullet, and can't wait to upgrade to the AG7.

[craig87c]

I love the Bullet, and can't wait to upgrade to the AG7.

Update!

Lost the little SOB :angry: There's a small chance it's outside my apartment in a snowdrift. If it's there and survives a few weeks in snow, I'm never getting another rollerball that isn't a Fisher!

While I had it, I loved it. Writes so smoothly. After I graduate, I'm going to get an AG7 with medium and fine points to compare.

[Icemanxxxv]

I love my space pen Although I have the insert in a Parker Stainless Jotter pen body. I work the flight line so I need a pen that writes no matter what the temperature is or how much grease is on the parts tag!:thumbup1::cursing:

[Pebcak]

Update!

Lost the little SOB :angry: There's a small chance it's outside my apartment in a snowdrift. If it's there and survives a few weeks in snow, I'm never getting another rollerball that isn't a Fisher!

:lol: Well that didn't take you long. How did you manage to do that?

[craig87c]

I had the clipless one, and it sat in the same pocket as my keys and chapstick. I'm guessing it got hooked in the keys and fell when I took them out somewhere. I'll keep looking!

[demaro]

After reading this thread I ordered a Bullet. It came in the mail Friday. I used to have the one with the US Flag on it , but it fell apart and I lost pieces from it.

[Pebcak]

Well it took a while but my Fisher Bullet pen finally arrived. Took 3 weeks as the first one Amazon shipped me got damaged in shipping.

I can't imagine what they did to damage something as bulletproof as a Fisher.

[quantex]

I just got my matte black, I love it...so does my son,,,,so I am giving it to him, I also got my wife one, she loves it too...and I just ordered the rainbow for me. Cant wait.

[hsamuels]

Oh, American engineering! It's amazing how they recognized the challenge of getting ink to flow without gravity to assist it.

The Russians used pencils.

[doug1066]

I have a Fisher Click pen that I got for $7.00 on sale. It is my daily pen and lives in my briefcase.

[doug1066]

Oh, American engineering! It's amazing how they recognized the challenge of getting ink to flow without gravity to assist it.

The Russians used pencils.

Actually, NASA used pencils in the beginning and got worried about possible hazards fro broken graphite leads. Here is the snopes article on it:

http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp

[-dave-]

i tried a few spacepen refills a while ago, unfortunitly i found them horribly unreliable to write with, even had it clag up writing on paper several times, writing on metal was 99per cent useless... the freebie promo pens from various suppliers that find their way to me now and then are more reliable units

[jochums]

Jack Klumpus even gave one to Jerry Seifeld:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yYTBUebO8M

[miatapaul]

I have a cheap pen, that takes Parker style refills. I noticed that the local Office Depot has a space pen refill with a "Parker converter." Do you think this would be better than a generic refill or even a real Parker refill?

[gearchow]

Just minding my own business, doing some light reading and now I have a Fisher Space Pen coming from Amazon. I think my wife will love it if it really writes at all angles and on different materials.

-jim

[MalcontentMD]

I have a Fisher bullet space pen coming in the mail. I was ordering christmas gifts online and decided to get a gift for myself. At least it's a gift with some utility, right?

[hsamuels]

Wow, thanks Doug! It's creepy that even the writing style (the short sentence in its own paragraph) was planted in my impressionable mind long ago.

[miatapaul]

I have a cheap pen, that takes Parker style refills. I noticed that the local Office Depot has a space pen refill with a "Parker converter." Do you think this would be better than a generic refill or even a real Parker refill?

Update,

I put it in my pen, and it seems to be jsut a hair bigger than the parker, and does not go in and out well. but I am not at all impressed with the way it writes at all. Not smooth, it does not start even as relaiably as a cheap fountain pen. I am very disappointed. It does seem to write on anything, once it starts.

[miatapaul]

OK I was at a junk store and found a few pens, including a Fisher Space Pen from I imagine the 70's based on the plastic gift box it came in. It seems to flow much better than the refill i just bought and put in a pen. Strange. I wonder if they have changed the cartridges at all? I do like the little bullet pen to stick in my pocket, very convenient. Great thing is the pen was less than $5 and it does not look like it was ever carried at all!

[glopez1564]

I know this might be a late reply but I didn't want to miss the chance to answer to this thread. I've been a Space pen fan for years now. I got my first pen as a gift from Japanese co-workers and I found it pretty cool. It was a S294 Shuttle Imprint Cap-O-Matic Space Pen. This happened in 2008. The pen keeps working perfectly. The pen has a little bit of a clicking sound, though. That's why I like Bullet pens better.

[camjr]

I've got a Bullet-style Space Pen with the IBM logo lazer-engraved on it. My father gave it to me about 20 years ago. The thing is always in my pocket. Great product.

[Lesmore]

Had one for years. Lost it..darn it. Should get another.

[Alacrity59]

I've got a mat black bullet pen that has been in my left front pocket for several years now. I'm beginning to see what I think is brass on the edge of the cap. Great size to carry unobtrusively.

[Samjax]

I carry a Fisher X-750 Gold Vein and it has proven to be an extremely good investment.

[gks]

Anyone ever have any warranty issues with theirs?

Mine has separated so that the back cap no longer pulls the main pen piece out. Making it unusable.

[demaro]

I had to send one of mine back , they offered a full replacement. They are wonderful to deal with !!




Anyone ever have any warranty issues with theirs?

Mine has separated so that the back cap no longer pulls the main pen piece out. Making it unusable.

[AndreasDK]

Can you use other more readily available cartridges with it?

I have had one on my amazon wishlist quite a while now but don`t care for the ability to write under water and all that jazz.

[gks]

I had to send one of mine back , they offered a full replacement. They are wonderful to deal with !!

Great! I just need to find a box to send it back in I guess.


Can you use other more readily available cartridges with it?

I have had one on my amazon wishlist quite a while now but don`t care for the ability to write under water and all that jazz.

I'm not sure, when I bought mine I just bought a couple of replacement cartridges. They were pretty inexpensive really.

[AndreasDK]

I see.

Here they go for about USD 9.1 per cart from online sellers.
I find that expensive.

[mark the shoeshine boy]

a salesperson like me, always carries a pen....i have a rudy vey in my front pocket and a gold bullet in my business card case (see the business card thread in the Hab...) so no matter where I go, i walways have a pen....

[gks]

I see.

Here they go for about USD 9.1 per cart from online sellers.
I find that expensive.

You're right, I bought mine years ago and since it busted I haven't used it in about 2 years. That said, I did find them for $6 USD here. Perhaps look to see if it's cheaper to get directly from Fisher Space Pens.

My box has a "guarantee and order form" inside it. It says the refills can be obtained from them for $5 per refill with $5 shipping. So if you ordered 3 refills it would be $20 USD, plus the one in the box.

Now, that said, I'm not sure if $5 would be international shipping or not. I assume it is mailed via USPS, which should make it out of the country no problem. You can ask them here though: [email protected]

I'd say 4 cartridges would last awhile.