It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Every quarter, our friends at Tactile Turn put out a Seasonal Release, a unique version of one of their EDC metal pens that stands out. This month’s release is called The Ember, and it’s a smoking hot take on their community-favorite bolt-action pen with a smooth Cerakote finish that makes this pen a joy to write with every day. Tactile Turn spent lots of time in the lab perfecting applying a Cerakote finish to their products, and the Ember is the current pinnacle of the process.
Like a fire to a flame, the titanium body of the Ember features a Cerakote color gradient that goes from bright red at the pen’s tip to light orange at the finial. The internal bolt action also features a yellow Cerakote finish, making it feel smoother in both deployment and retraction compared to the standard Tactile Turn pens I’ve used. The engraved wood grain look on the pocket clip completes the look as a perfect complement to the theme.
As a bonus, outdoor brand ExoTac provided some nanoStrikerXL firestarters to Tactile, giving them the same Cerakote treatment and colorway as the pens, making for a spicy outdoor-themed combination. The nanoStrikerXLs are available as a separate add-on, while supplies last.
What we like: The Ember represents the return of the Bolt Action pen to Tactile Turn’s seasonal releases, and with style too. The Cerakote finish also makes this one of the smoothest feeling pens Tactile Turn has made, and it only really hits you when you have it in hand.
What to watch out for: Make sure to pick the right size and length of the Ember that suits your EDC. Pick between a Regular and Slim version and three different lengths. Of those lengths, the Mini pen only works with Pilot G2 mini ink cartridges, whereas the other two work with Parker-style refills.
Final verdict: The Ember takes an already-great everyday carry pen and turns up the heat even further. If the Ember appeals to you, you have every chance to get it within the duration of the season, so order while it’s available.
