Space Pen Brass

Fisher

The Fisher Space Pen Brass combines legendary functionality with timeless style. Its pressurized ink cartridge writes smoothly in extreme temperatures, underwater, upside down, and on virtually any surface. Housed in a solid brass body that develops unique patina with use, this pen offers reliable performance in challenging conditions. Backed by Fisher's respected lifetime warranty, it's a dependable writing tool for adventurers, professionals, and everyday carry enthusiasts.

Product Specifications

Dimensions:5.38 x 0.38 x 0.38 inches
Lifespan:10+ years
Material:N/A
Country of Origin:USA
Manufacturing:Manufactured and assembled in Boulder City, Nevada at Fisher Space Pen's own facility.

Research Summary

The Fisher Space Pen earns its BIFL status primarily through its legendary pressurized cartridge and exceptional lifetime warranty service, not its construction quality. The pen's brass exterior ages beautifully, but plastic internals and mediocre mechanics betray the premium price. Ideal for those needing reliable writing in extreme conditions, with Fisher's no-questions-asked replacement policy as your insurance against the disappointing build quality. The space pen paradox: mediocre construction saved by bulletproof ink technology and customer service.

  • Pressurized cartridge is genuinely bulletproof – works in any environment, temperature, or orientation when other pens fail
  • Disappointing plastic internals and mushy click mechanism are the primary failure points in an otherwise tank-like exterior
  • Exceptional lifetime warranty consistently honored with Fisher replacing entire pens and including free refills, creating loyal customers
  • The $26 price buys legendary cartridge technology and warranty support rather than premium build quality
  • Model-specific quality varies widely – brass models gain character through patina while the Cap-O-Matic is universally panned for rattling parts

Repairability Notes

8.0

The Fisher Space Pen scores high on repairability thanks to its simple design and legendary lifetime warranty support. Users report Fisher readily replaces entire pens under warranty with excellent customer service that builds immense goodwill.

  • Parts availability: Standard pressurized refills are widely available and the pen uses a simple twist-apart design for easy cartridge replacement
  • Weak points: The plastic internal threads and mushy click mechanism are the main failure points, with users noting the insides all except for the cartridge are made from cheap plastics
  • Warranty saves it: Multiple users confirm Fisher replaced their worn pens with brand new ones plus free refills under the lifetime warranty

Bottom line: While the plastic internals are a letdown, the combination of easy refill access, widespread parts availability, and Fisher's exceptional warranty support makes this a pen you can keep running for decades.

Durability Notes

7.0

Classic case of indestructible guts trapped in a so-so body. The legendary pressurized cartridge earns its reputation, but plastic internals and mushy mechanics hold it back from BIFL greatness.

  • Cartridge is bulletproof: Users confirm it writes in extreme heat/cold, upside down, on wet surfaces - one called it a pen that will just go and go until you run out of ink
  • Brass body takes abuse: Multiple reviewers praise the raw brass as built like a tank that develops character through patina, though some models have fragile finishes that chip
  • Plastic guts are the weak link: The insides except for the cartridge are cheap plastics per multiple users, with mushy click mechanism and potential thread failure points

Bottom line: Buy it for the cartridge that writes anywhere, not the body that feels like a $5 pen dressed in metal clothes

Warranty Notes

9.0

Fisher Space Pens are covered by a comprehensive lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects, consistently honored according to user reports.

  • Coverage: Lifetime warranty against all manufacturing defects, transferable to subsequent owners
  • Process: Clear claim procedure through mail-in system to their Nevada facility, though buyer pays shipping
  • Real-world experience: Multiple users confirm excellent warranty fulfillment with responsive service and free replacements, even creating strong brand loyalty

Bottom line: Fisher's warranty is a genuine BIFL asset with well-documented cases of the company replacing pens years after purchase with minimal questions, though natural patina/wear on brass models is expectedly not covered.

Social Analysis

7.5

The Fisher Space Pen enjoys strong respect in BIFL communities, praised for its lifetime warranty and legendary reliability, though opinions split on build quality details.

  • Warranty hero status: Redditors love that Fisher replaced pens with zero hassle, turning frustrated users into loyal fans through exceptional customer service
  • Writes anywhere reputation: The pressurized cartridge earns consistent praise from pilots, outdoor workers, and EDC enthusiasts who say it never fails in extreme conditions
  • Brass patina culture: A devoted subgroup shares photos of their weathered brass pens, treating the natural aging process as a feature worth celebrating
  • Cheap plastic internals: Many users feel betrayed that a $26 pen has mushy click mechanisms and plastic threads that don't match the tank-like exterior
  • Cap-O-Matic disaster: This specific model gets roasted for rattling parts and tinny feel, with one user calling it awful and almost every part rattles

Bottom line: The cartridge technology is universally trusted, but the pen body quality varies wildly by model, making it a qualified BIFL recommendation.

BIFL Total Score:
8.0Excellent
Space Pen Brass
BIFL Approved
Amazon
$26.19

Product Scorecard

BIFL TOTAL SCORE
8.0
Durability Score
7.0
Repairability Score
8.0
Social Score
7.5
Warranty Score
9.0

Based on 199 reviews

We rate products using a 10-point scoring system focused on what matters most: durability, reliability, and repairability. Our scores are built from a wide net of sources: Amazon reviews, Reddit threads, expert opinions, brand sites, Google reviews, and what people are actually saying online.

Pros and Cons

What Users Love

Writes in extreme conditions reliably

Lifetime warranty with excellent service

Brass body develops beautiful patina

Widely available replacement cartridges

Areas for Improvement

Cheap plastic internals

Mushy click mechanism feels disappointing

Some models have fragile finishes

Higher price for mediocre build quality

Based on our comprehensive product research and scoring methodology

Image Gallery

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Frequently Asked Questions

Product Care & Maintenance Guide

Recommended: As neededClean and maintain the pen whenever dirt, tarnish, or mechanism roughness appears to ensure smooth operation and appearance.

Step 1

Clean

Wipe the brass body with a soft cloth dampened with warm soapy water, avoiding harsh chemicals. For tarnish removal, gently apply a mild acid such as ketchup to a small area to test, then lightly rub and rinse off. Avoid abrasive cleaners that can scratch the brass surface.

Recommended Products

  • Mild Dish Soap$5
  • Fine Soft Cloth$10
Step 2

Condition / Maintain

If the pen mechanism feels slow or gritty, disassemble by unscrewing the crown, clean parts with warm soapy water, dry thoroughly, then apply a small amount of PTFE-based lubricant to the mechanism channel before reassembling.

Recommended Products

  • PTFE-based Lubricant$8-15
Step 3

Protect / Store

Store the pen in a dry place away from extreme temperatures and humidity to prevent corrosion and tarnishing. Avoid leaving the pen exposed to lotions or perfumes which can accelerate brass patina formation.

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