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A Premium Knife and EDC Brand Just Dropped the Mic on a New Subcategory

Behold yet more proof that good things come to those who wait, because of course they pretty much nailed it.

Close-up of a sleek, metallic pen with a clip, featuring a circular button with a green ring near the top, resting on a textured gray surface.The James Brand

By Steve Mazzucchi

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Years ago I participated in an unforgettable ride from New York City to DC alongside more than a hundred other cyclists with widely varying backgrounds, experience levels and actual bikes.

Inspiring as it was, I must confess to an infuriatingly smug satisfaction derived from joining one of the more seasoned riding groups who got to sleep in and then inevitably pass the neophyte, earlier-starting groups one by one throughout the course of each day.

Sleek metallic pen with a textured grip area featuring small raised dots, a clip near the top, and a small circular button with a green ring on the side. The pen has a smooth, cylindrical body and a pointed tip.
Like its predecessor pens in the TJB family, The Kent is meticulously machined.
The James Brand

That memory comes to mind as I consider the latest release from those EDC stalwarts at The James Brand. 

Because while they are relatively late to the bolt-action pen party, their inaugural foray is such a banger that I can see them methodically taking out their rivals in the space in similar fashion.

It’s called The Kent, which is perhaps fitting because it’s an undercover EDC superstar.

Quick history

As you might guess, bolt-action pens get their name from bolt-action rifles, with date back to the early 1800s.

The big difference is, instead of manipulating a turn-bolt to eject a spent cartridge and fire again, you do so to deploy an ink-bearing tip.

Constructed from 303 stainless steel, The Kent boasts a low-profile silhouette, metal-injection-molded clip and what the brand calls “buttery-smooth bolt-action deployment.”

Though the origins of the bolt-action pen are a bit murky, they rose to prominence in the 2000s, alongside the rise in popularity of “tactical” accessories following 9/11. (Sorry to get heavy, but it’s true.)

Recent past notwithstanding, they’ve stuck around for a different reason: the side-mounted, spring-loaded lever must be purposefully shifted into place to release the tip.

Close-up of the tip of a black ballpoint pen with a textured grip featuring small raised dots, resting on a gray textured surface.
The area near the tip — where your fingers go — is lightly textured to enhance grip.
The James Brand

That makes them unlikely to deploy accidentally, yet still operable with one hand — and hugely fidget-friendly.

Of late, a number of EDC outfits have fine-tuned their construction, with such brands as Tactile Turn and Big Idea Design leading the charge.

Bolt-action bona fides

Even in a crowded space, The Kent is already climbing toward the top for a few reasons. 

First off, The James Brand is firmly established in the knife and EDC space, with a reputation for some of the finest machining you can find. This pedigree no doubt played a role in them recently being brought into the still-quite-exclusive Portland Knife Center of Excellence. 

A sleek, silver pen clipped to the edge of a black denim pocket. The pen has a minimalist design with the word "JAMES°" engraved near the bottom. The black denim fabric features visible stitching and a metal rivet.
The clip lets the pen sit securely in your pocket, while the bolt-action mechanism prevents accidental deployment.
The James Brand

Second, while The Kent is their first bolt-action pen, it’s hardly their first pen. Just in time for back to school, it joins a sterling series of predecessors including The Stillwell, The Bolen and The Burwell. 

Third, it’s simply a stunning blend of form and function. Constructed from 303 stainless steel, it boasts a low-profile silhouette, metal-injection-molded clip and what the brand calls “buttery-smooth bolt-action deployment.”

A sleek black pen with a textured grip is displayed inside a black rectangular box with a foam insert. The box lid, placed beside it, features the brand name "JAMES°" in white letters. The pen also has a small label with the brand name near the clip.
True to The James Brand’s rep, even the box has a premium feel, which helps make The Kent a great gift.
The James Brand

Adding to the user-friendly nature are its pocket-friendly dimensions — 5.3 inches in length, 0.3 inches in diameter and 1.3 ounces in weight — and its widely available Parker Style G2 ink cartridge.

Throw in the subtle grip-enhancing texture near the tip, and it’s just about perfect for writing “see you at the top.”

Availability and pricing

The Kent is available now in Silver and Black for $79.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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