SKILCRAFT B3 Aviator Multi-function Pen Black/Red Ink, Medium Point with Pencil (7520-01-564-9906)

I recently bought the SKILCRAFT B3 Aviator Multi-function Pen, and I’m really happy with it. It’s lightweight, comfortable to hold, and has a sleek all-black design that looks professional without being flashy. The black ink writes smoothly (no skips or smudges!), the red ink works well for highlighting or notes, and the mechanical pencil is a nice bonus—it’s reliable and doesn’t feel like an afterthought, which is rare for multi-pens.What really stood out to me, though, is the story behind this pen. It’s made in the USA by SKILCRAFT, a company that’s part of the AbilityOne Program, which creates jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Knowing that this pen was crafted with such care and purpose makes using it even more meaningful.If you’re looking for a practical, well-made multi-pen that also supports a great cause, this one’s worth every penny. It’s become my go-to for work, and I’d definitely buy it again.

This instrument provides three, hard core writing tools in one. I first found these in a Army and Air Force Exchange Clothing Sales Store intended for USAF Aircrews. I have since found them on Amazon, and I keep several around all the time.The pen write in black, Red (some versions in Blue), and it has a mechanical pencil. I trade out the #2 HB in the stock mechanical pencil with #1 2B Lead as it prints darker.The whole package is roughly the size of a standard, quality pen. It is thicker than the average Cross Pen and thinner than a large barrel Mont Blanc. it fits neatly in most any pen/pencil pocket (like on a notebook, ACU sleeve, or Flight Suit). The barrel is a tough, brass case with a tactical, matte/flat black finish. The finish will wear in spots over time, but I find it give it a rugged patina that give them a bit of character.

I’ve used these pens for a while now and I love them. They are awesome for taking notes and general daily use as they have 2 colors of ink and a mechanical pencil(I use red/black). The refills are small but last a pretty long time and the nice thing is that if one runs dry you always have an extra. I love the size too as they are smallish (they are designed for flight suit pockets).

What an amazing pen and the pencil is even better best quality pencil i have felt period.

I enjoy this three way pen, black ink, red ink and pencil. I use it for my check book and the way that I use the inks and pencil help me to keep track of what I am doing. The ink flows very smoothly and the pencil is very clean. Everything is so neatly packed inside a small case barrel, is very light weight and balanced.

I'll review this pen in comparison to the Sharbo X LT3, which is a suburb pen as well.Build quality:Suberb metallic feel, yet light enough to be writing for long periods of time. It has a matt texture compared to the Sharbo X, which is great if you have slippery fingers. There is a satisfying snap when you switch between different colours and pencils as well, which was absent on the Sharbo X (that one is more quiet but still has firm transitions)The pen clip was of good quality as well, and slides into my pocket smoothly without forcing it in or being too loose.Replacing inks:For the B3, it has a unique way or replacing inks, in which you would have to PULL the pen apart instead of unscrewing the bottom half, which the Sharbo X employs. I much prefer unscrewing to replace as I'm not sure if the sliding mechanism would loose the pen after prolonged use or multiple replacements.Ink quality:While the B3 accepts standard D1 refills, and the ones that came with it were pleasant to write with, I noticed that ink does not come out for the first few strokes EVERY TIME I took it out of my flight suit pocket, which meant that I had to scribble on a scrap paper before the ink started flowing. On the other hand the Sharbo inks had ink flowing whenever I needed them.A small plus was that the pen came with an additional black and red refill each.Overall, the inks were a major minus, but the pen itself is well built and I don't see a problem replacing it with better quality refills from other brands once the stock inks run out.

It's refreshing to find an American-made product that is perfect for its intended use. Designed for EDC carry in the shoulder pocket of aviators in order to be readily available to fill out forms or jot quick notes, this small pen offers red and black ink in addition to a 0.5 mm mechanical pencil with eraser. It measures (about) 5 1/4 inch (13 cm) long with a barrel of 3/8" (8 mm) and is built like a tank. Surprisingly heavy for it's size, the sturdy metal black anodized barrel is designed not to be non-reflective and has a sturdy pocket clip. The cap that secures the eraser on top of the pen has machined threads that secure it to the barrel. A simple twist of the barrel causes the pen or pencil tips to securely slide into place and can be done with one hand while on the phone. Refills are changed simply by pulling the center of the barrel apart.This pen is not for everyone. There is no bling factor with chrome-like fittings or sleek shiny plastic. Ink capacity is constrained by the small size of the pen and the eraser is tiny. It is not designed for prolonged writing sessions where hand fatigue may be an issue. The pen could be easily lost due to its small size and unobtrusive color. Others may covet your possession and fail to return it. However, if you want an instrument to take a quick note with and like the functionality of red/black ink plus 0.5 mm mechanical pencil with eraser, this is a fine choice. I value utility and industrial design. This instrument has become part of my every day carry and resides in the bottom of my jeans pocket where it is ready for instantaneous use.

Works well when in flight to operate an iPad while wearing flight gloves. Also enables filling out forms in pencil and/or pen.