Everyday Carry

How to Carry a Fisher Space Pen 8 Different Ways

Authored by:
Bernard Capulong
How to Carry a Fisher Space Pen 8 Different Ways

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If we had to pick just one pen for EDC, we’d probably go with the Fisher Space Pen. It’s the most popular and most carried pen among Everyday Carry members for a reason: it’s compact, affordable, durable, and it writes anywhere.

That kind of performance is crucial: if something happens that’s important enough to write down, you don’t want to be caught scribbling chicken scratches to get ink flowing.

Everyday Carry member Niklas shows how compact the pen is in his EDC submission.

However, the almighty Space Pen isn't perfect. One paradoxical drawback to a pen this portable is it might actually be harder to carry. It's not a traditionally sized pen, after all. But that short size lets it sneak its way into a bunch of different carry options. 

Today, we'll be looking at a few of those setups—many of which were picked up from our very own community. Kudos to all of you EDCers out there doing your best to Carry Smarter.

Fun fact: the Fisher Space Pen actually turns 50 this year. It's impressive to think that such an unassuming pen design thought up in 1966 has endured for so long. But hey, if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? And to all you diehard collectors, you might want to pick up a commemorative 50th anniversary special edition pen, too.

How to Carry a Fisher Space Pen in Your EDC

1. Clipped to Your Pocket

Get a hold of a Space Pen with a pocket clip, or buy the clip as an add-on, and secure it to a shirt or pants pocket. This is the obvious choice that would work nicely for most of you. That doesn't, however, mean it's necessarily the best one. While the clip keeps your Space Pen in place in your pocket, keep in mind it's still just an add-on piece. It snaps onto the pen using only friction to hold onto the body. If you're prone to wearing out your pocket clips through especially hard use, better to not risk it and consider one of the following options instead.


2. Deep in Your Pocket

Okay, so you lucked out and somehow have an uncanny ability to never lose pens. You probably don't need anything particularly fancy to keep your pen from wandering off. In that case, you'd be fine just slipping the pen in your pocket. It's small enough and has smooth edges, so you won't have to worry about scratches or pokes. No nightmarish ink leaking either, thanks to its long, sturdy cap and brass barrel construction.


3. In a Bifold Wallet

Traditional bifold wallets aren't exactly the most compact option to EDC, but if you're going to carry a bigger wallet, you might as well make the most of the space it takes up. Since the card slots on bifold wallets tend to be the thickest part, when you fold your wallet closed, you'll have some empty space at the “spine” of the bifold—a perfect place to stash your bullet pen.


4. In a Dedicated Pen Wallet

Some more modern, minimalist wallets have loops specifically designed to fit a Fisher Space Pen. This is especially useful if you know you'll be carrying a pen anyway, as having both a compact pen and an ultra slim wallet can feel really “loose” in your pocket. Consolidating them with wallets like the formfunctionform Architect's wallet, a MonolithLeatherGoods wallet shown above, or the naoLoop Pen wallet as a non-leather option could make your carry more manageable and comfortable in the pocket.


5. In a Gear Caddy

To take this a step further, you can consolidate the rest of your pocket carry in a gear caddy. These are like multi-item sheaths or wallets designed just for tools. Some even have space for cards and cash, like the Urban Organizer pictured above, letting you minimalists carry your whole setup in one place. Besides the benefits of having your gear organized and conveniently consolidated, gear caddies like this also keep your tools from scratching each other (and your phone screen).


6. In a Pouch Organizer

You might like carrying a pen on you just in case of emergency, but don't actually find yourself jotting with it throughout the day. Or, you've got a bit more in your kit than a front pocket gear caddy can handle. In either case, an EDC pouch organizer is probably your best bet. They've got elastic webbing and loops for holding onto smaller items. Your pen would fit nicely next to a lighter, a small flashlight, batteries, etc. It's not the most easily accessible way to carry your pen, but it's plenty secure and organized. If this looks up your alley, don't miss our full buying guide to EDC pouch organizers here.


7. DIY: On Your Keychain

If you know your way around a drill, you can DIY a keychain attachment point on the cap of your pen and fix some hardware together for a neat keychain option. Everyday Carry member TvL shared this clever carry method and even went to call it the “best pen for EDC.” Because of the cap's snug fit and lightweight body, there's less of a chance your pen will fall off your keychain. Also, since the Space Pen uses a solid brass construction, it should be sturdy enough at the attachment point. This is definitely a more involved route to go to hack this together—do it at your own risk!


8. With a Binder Clip

As a shockingly simple, highly economical, "why didn't I think of that?"-clever way to carry pen and paper together, use a binder clip! Everyday Carry reader Christopher K put us onto this easy, reversible, and low-cost double whammy of a carry option. It not only secures your pen in place, but it also keeps your pocket notebook shut. That makes it easier to carry in your pocket and helps prevent unwanted creasing and wear.


I know hundreds of you reading this carry a Fisher Space Pen, and a bunch of you probably cooked up some ingenious method not mentioned here. Spill your secrets! Your fellow EDCers will thank you. So leave a comment with what you've found to be the best way to EDC a Fisher Space Pen below. If you found this guide helpful, please share it with your EDC buddies too.

Buy a Fisher Space Pen

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Author
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (43 total)

It's been a while now since my last visit here. I'm glad you like the idea of my DIY keychain pen.
Frank Mahon ·
I never liked the size of the pen so I just bought the Space Pen inserts and use my own pen, a Retro 51 Tornado Vintage Metalsmith Rollerball Pen. The insert works great and came with a Parker-style adapter.
Gren ·
Brilliant. 3 and 8 are my favorites.
I carry a Space Pen alongside my multi tool in the "watch pocket" (the small pocket inside the front right pocket) of my jeans. Fits perfectly, is secure, stays upright, and is always right at hand.
Excellent article, I needed this!
Bernard Capulong ·
Thanks for reading, and glad you found it helpful!
Timothy Barth ·
I carry a Leatherman Surge for work; the default case for that (which you can also buy separately) has little elastic side pouches in addition to the main pocket. I keep a Fisher Space Pen with a clip in one of those on my belt. It's consistently the pen I go for the most (I keep a couple cheap spares on me to lend out or just in case - I'm always writing stuff down).
Corey Olszewski ·
I have the keychain field space pen. I am looking at Field Notes' Space Pen next!
Andrew Lossing ·
Edited - never mind, found the answer to my question! Great article!
Jacob Allen ·
I like option 4. Great to be able to add a useful item without losing any pocket real estate. Also easy to make your own and save $40.
DaltonD ·
Recycled Fire Fighter has a band for their wallets that are made to pack a small pen. "Rookie Band" worth looking in to
Andrew ·
I love the cap-o-matic space pen. It's the best pen I've ever used and the clip is built in.
Hexagon ·
In the last couple years that I have gotten into edc, I've lost 3. Though I have a great appreciation for the pen itself and its capabilities, ill take a full size or customized one with a better form factor.
Benjamin K ·
Anyone have any suggestions on carrying one of their clicker models?
Jeff Z ·
I have three different types of fisher: the bullet, the stow-away and the adventurer (I think that's right). None of them have clips but the adventure has a split ring and goes on my keys. The stow-away is in a holder I made out of Rite-in-rain packaging in my Field Notes sized Travelers Journal. The bullet is in a pencil bag in my A5 Travelers Journal.
NickOO ·
What is the second dedicated pen wallet posted? Right above #5
12 more comments