I write a lot, and like most writers I have favorite writing utensils. I have a favorite pencil (Black Wing Palomino) that I carry everywhere in a bullet pencil. That pencil is always in my pocket, and a second one is always in my planner. When it comes to pens my tastes change sometimes because sometimes there are variables that make one pen better for a project than another. Sometimes I need a fine point for delicate script so I use a Pilot rollerball V2 or V5. Sometimes I need something that will dry really quickly so I need something like a Fisher Space Pen or Sharpie Liquid Pencil. I've spent a long time looking for the perfect everyday pen. I like a pen with a decent sized barrel so my fingers don't cramp if I'm writing for a long time. Something with some weight, but not too heavy. The problem has always been that I would find a pen I liked the feel of but the refills it held were ink that I hated; it would take too long to dry, or be an off color (not all black pens are created equal my friends), or would feel weird on the paper. This week I think I finally found the perfect pen.
That is why I jumped on board the instant I saw Daga's prototype for the Pen・Vise. An amazingly simple idea, but beautifully implemented. Taking inspiration from a craftsman pin vise used to hold micro drill bits and screwdrivers, the design team at Daga sliced off the sides to make loading a pen refill from behind the vice mechanism possible. They chose to use duraluminum to keep it fairly light, allowing them to make it nice and beefy. Then they put a hole in the end to allow it to be secured by a clip, lanyard, or retaining pin as demonstrated by the provided leather sheath.
The Pen・Vise has become my everyday carry pen, with a Fisher Space Pen insert. Daga tested hundreds of refills during the design and fabrication process and is still working on testing more before they start selling the Pen・Vise via retail outlets and their website. If you have been looking for the perfect all purpose pen that will allow you to use nearly any refill you've ever wanted to carry without having to change your grip keep an eye out for the Pen・Vise.