Best Pen to put in US Army uniform

[phanofphysics]

US Army members of the FP community, what’s your favorite pen to put in your OCP pen pocket? I recently bought the all black Lamy Safari since my command is pretty strict on pens being all black and although it does not fit in the pocket, and being a lifelong user of Jinhao pens, I instantly fell in love with it. What are some of the pens you like to keep in that pocket?

[A Smug Dill]

Not in the Army and not even American myself, but if you're a lifelong user of Jinhao pens and need something all black and with robust construction, the Jinhao 35 (which is cylindrical and slender) comes in matt black, the HongDian 1850 Black Forest (also large cylindrical and relatively slender, but with a textured barrel), HongDian 6013 (shaped somewhat like a Faber-Castell e-Motion), HongDian A3 (matt black variant, slightly contoured in shape, with striations in sunk relief lengthwise on the pen body), HongDian 517D (with more heft, and a rubberised finish), etc. probably merit looking into.

[Misfit]

Not in the military either. If you have the funds, a Karas Kustoms in black is available. If you have never shopped from them, they have a 15% off coupon for new shoppers. 
 

You get to select the pen color, the section color/material, and the nib size. The pens are machined aluminum. 

[tde44x]

Also not in the military, but I would get one of these from Karas:

 

INK V2 | Machined Fountain Pen | Made in USA | Karas Pen Co (karaskustoms.com)

 

They are made in the USA (everything but the nib itself) and are available in a number of colors/finishes. I think they have the industrial/utilitarian - but in a pleasant way - look you may be trying to find. FWIW - I have this in solid copper which while very heavy look and feels great.

 

There is also this one:

 

Ultra Black Frag INK V2 Fountain Pen | Karas Pen Co. (karaskustoms.com)

 

which has an interesting section.

[TitoThePencilPimp]

pilot vp stealth black?

[Karmachanic]

20 hours ago, phanofphysics said:

it does not fit in the pocket,

 

I don't have an OCP pen pocket.  Too wide? Too long?  By how much?  What fits?

[txomsy]

Not US or military.

 

Maybe a Kaweco AL Sport in black or a Liliput black? They are metallic and small. The Liliput is thin and small.

 

[pgomme]

How about a vintage Sheaffer with a military clip? It's specifically designed so the clip is hidden behind the pocket flap (assuming US military uniforms still have them).

[Tasmith]

Since the government issue Skillcraft ballpoint pen is black with a silver clip and knock, I would think any black (or black cap) fountain pen with a silver clip that fit would be fine.  A black Pelikan m205 or a black Pilot Decimo might work.

 

I went to the military clothing sales at Ft. Myer to see if a girthy pen would fit the pen pocket on the OCP sleeve.  I used a Uniball Signo RT-1 that is 10.9mm and it fit easily into the pen pocket.  Next time I go to military sales, I'll bring my Pelikan M200 and Pilot Decimo to see how well they fit.

[Tasmith]

Tested out three pens in the OCP sleeve pen pocket:

Wing Sung 698 fit, but snug.  Max cap diameter is 13.75mm.

Pelikan M200 fit, a bit less snug.  Max cap diameter is just over 13mm.

Pilot Decimo slipped right in.  Max diameter 12mm.

The pen pockets are very long, so even the longest pen the Wing Sung 698 at 142mm easily fit in length.

 

A side note, I have noticed many Soldiers with Fisher Space pens.

[OCArt]

Many makers sold military pen sets during WWII. Here's one from a current eBay listing. (I wonder why there as a 20% tax on the pen set? Maybe something to do with rationing and perhaps a surcharge on "luxury" items?)

[amberleadavis]

Absolutely a Fisher Space Pen made here in Nevada.

[SilverStoneMetallic]

Although a lowly cadet, I use generic black click pens in my OCP pen pockets. I like my nice stuff too much to lose them partaking in the activities that you generally would do in such a uniform. Something like a preppy would probably be what I would use if I were so inclined to use an FP in less than ideal conditions.

[Misfit]

@phanofphysics Have you chosen a pen?

[FarmBoy]

I’ve sent a lot of Olive Jotters to a friend in the 82nd Airborne. 

[pilotheinrich]

You might also try a vintage pen with a "military" cllp, which allows the pen to adhere to regulations (WWII era, that is) by placing the clip flush with the cap of the pen so that the pen does not poke above a pocket.

 

I have a WWII era Waterman Commando (which was marketed to the military). It writes perfectly and is one of my favorite pens.