Subject came up in another thread, and I got to wondering what other folks have.
I first used a Maxpedition Acantha, which I liked because it was rather sleek, even artsy, in appearance, and certainly did not scream "Usable as a weapon!" It comes with two heads, one flat one and one "spear". I used the flat. One day I fumble fingered it and it hit the floor head first, and broke it off, with the threaded section inside the barrel. Not repairable that I could figure out.
I am currently using a Gerber Impromptu. It is rather industrial in appearance, with grooves which can provide a better grip. No DNA collector. Retractable, unlike most tactical pens. Has a rod which protrudes slightly by the hole for the pen tip, intended as a glass breaker.
I have fumbled this a few times, with the result that the "space pen" cartridges get messed up; they usually stop working for a day or three.
I have also done the Zebra F-701/402 "hack", described here among other places.
I have flown with all three of these at one time or another. (Since the TSA was brought up in this context.)
I'm curious what others carry. What do you like about it? What not? I've noticed that many of these seem to be very bulky, and many of them are downright fugly. Would rpefer not to use something that looks like it should be a prop in the next Mad Max movie.
Plus, I'm a cheapskate.