The James Brand 'The Kent' Bolt Action Pen Black and Gold

The Kent is James Brand's first-ever bolt-action pen. Featuring a 303 stainless-steel barrel, a metal-injection-molded clip and a Parker-style G2-style cartridge, the Kent is ready to roll with you, day in and day out. The bolt action means no clicker sticking out of the top, so the Kent maintains a low profile and opens in one fluid motion. The bolt action prevents accidental opening in-pocket. Nobody digs blowing out a pair of pants with a big ink stain. The bolt will keep you engaged for hours with its ultra-satisfying and snappy action; it provides a great combination of one-handed operation and prevents accidental opening. It’s sort of the best of both worlds.

The bolt-action pen has an interesting history. The mechanism is borrowed directly from firearms—specifically 19th-century bolt-action rifles. These rifles were popular because they were famously durable and used the simplest mechanism possible. In the 2010s, this system first made its way into pen design, as people began leaning into high-quality machined pens as an alternative to disposables. The mechanism made sense: it was simple, had a good fidget factor, and allowed for one-handed operation. The same holds true for pens today—bolt action gives you great durability, a low profile, and one-handed use. The bolt-action pen has been a staple of the EDC community ever since.