I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Are you looking for a pen that feels and acts more like a tool rather than just a pen? I was, and that’s why, when PROOF gifted me their Vanguard Pen, I got really excited.
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I work in an office and do a lot of writing. I use checklists and multiple notebooks to keep up with the demands of my work, and PROOF’s Vanguard Pen is more “proof” (get it?) that little things can make a big difference.
I don’t like grabbing a pen to take a quick note only to find it broken, the ink dried up, or worse, the ink spilling all over everything. Pens come so cheap these days that it’s easy to forget how a good one can add value to life—in little ways, yes, but after testing the PROOF Vanguard Pen for the past month, I’ve been reminded so often how nice it is when little things make a big impact.
Keep reading if you want to hear the pros and cons, if this will be a good pen for you, or if you should look somewhere else.
What is the PROOF Vanguard Pen?
- Great Bolt Action Tactile Experience.
- Smooth & Reliable Writing.
- Unapologetically Premium.
- Smart Design & Refill System.
- Non-Flexible Pocket Clip.
Before we talk about pros and cons, let’s first look at what the pen was designed to do, what it is made of, and what features it has. The PROOF Vanguard pen was not made to be a cheap throwaway, but is a premium EDC writing tool that provides a satisfying tactile and reliable writing experience and is able to write in almost any condition.
It’s made from 6061 Aircraft-Grade Aluminum and stainless steel internals. The clip is made of corrosion-resistant brass. The replaceable ink cartridge uses a Fisher Space Pen PR4 Refill. It features a “bolt-action” mechanism and has a flat carpenter-style profile. It writes in rain, cold, odd angles, and even with light grease. With only 5 screws, the pen can be easily taken apart and put back together, and the ink refill can be completed through removal of the clip screw only.
Pros: What I like about the PROOF Vanguard Pen
1. Great Bolt Action Tactile Experience.
One of my favorite experiences with using this pen is the bolt-action mechanism. It is truly fidget-worthy. If you’ve ever been annoyed by someone clicking a pen over and over, get ready to be that someone, because the action of this pen is really enjoyable…just make sure no one else is around to bother.
It made the writing experience that much more satisfying and honestly helped me focus and think more clearly by giving my hand something to do. This is just one of the things that really made this pen feel more like a machine rather than just a pen.
2. Smooth & Reliable Writing.
I’ve used this pen for over a month at my home office, my work office, and everywhere in between. It has written smoothly every single time, making its smooth and consistent writing the second-best thing I like about my pen.
The writing experience is reliable. It has yet to skip, dry out, or underperform. I have not tried to write upside down, through grease, or in -30 degree weather. However, under my everyday life conditions, the performance has been consistent and I have never had to shake it, lick the nib, or scribble on the margin to make it write smoothly.
3. Unapologetically Premium.
The PROOF Vanguard Pen is unapologetically premium in both price and quality. Normally, I don’t have a lot of good things to say—meaning I have a lot of negative things to say—about high-end products, but not with this one.
Yes, it’s a premium cost, but PROOF really backs up that cost with an equally premium product. The pen has a substantial and intentional weight; it’s over-built in all the right ways. The design is unique, clean, and minimal.
The carpenter’s-pencil shape gives it an industrial feel, and I am confident that it will last many years. This is an absolutely expensive pen, but they are unapologetic, and for once, I like that about it because the price is equal to the value.
4. Smart Design & Refill System.
The last thing that I have to mention about the PROOF Vanguard pen is the design and the refill system. While I haven’t spent much time in my life thinking about the history of pens, I have to say, I did look up the Fisher PR4 refill and found it fairly interesting, making this pen a great nerdy conversation starter.
The refill links can be found on PROOF’s website and purchased easily. Along with that, I like the design. I think some people will like the carpenter-style flat shape and some will not, and that’s okay. It’s nice that it doesn’t roll off any surface and stays where I put it. Before I start sounding like PROOF’s sales rep, let me share a frustrating side of this pen.
Cons: What I don’t like about it
Non-Flexible Pocket Clip.
Maybe this is a personal gripe that only I have, but I do not like loose, bulky stuff in my pockets. The PROOF Vanguard Pen’s clip is not flexible…at all. It attaches to the main bolt mechanism with a single screw, and the gap between the clip and the body of the pen is paper-thin, meaning that it’s too tight to actually slide over the pocket material and stay upright in my pocket.
It can’t really be loosened and is therefore not comfortable to carry in your pocket. It’s got a good weight to it and the pen body has no flex either, so the pen slides sideways in my pocket and overall gets in the way. I would love to see some type of spring design for the clip. With all of my likes and dislikes out on the table, I’ve got to say that this is nearly a perfect pen and feels more like a tool than a pen.
Who is the PROOF Vanguard Pen for?
1. People Who Like Tactile Tools.
This is definitely a favorite pen for me, but is it right for you? If you like clicking, sliding, and fidgeting with mechanical movement, then you are going to enjoy the bolt-action feel. You’re most likely going to enjoy the unique shape and the heavier-than-normal, well-balanced weight.
I found it really helped me think while working because it gave me something to interact with while focusing on what I was writing. If that’s you too, then you are probably going to really enjoy this pen (or tool, rather) and won’t have any regrets with it.
2. Buy Once, Carry Once.
If you are the type who’d rather spend extra for a product that you’ll carry for years instead of the $5 dollar package of 20 ct. throw-aways, this pen is for you. If you are looking for durable materials and precise machining that will last for a very long time—provided you don’t lose them—then give this a try.
You may not want to loan it to anyone for fear that they may walk off with it by accident. There is nothing wrong with a 20-pack of cheap pens; they have their place, but if you are interested in a more premium writing experience and have the budget for it, consider the PROOF Vanguard Pen.
3. Consistent Performance.
While I’m not sure that we are often trying to write through grease or in earth-scorching heat, I do know that most people get frustrated with unreliable pens. If you’re looking for a consistent and smooth writing experience, you are going to really enjoy this pen. You won’t have to worry about shaking it, scribbling, or licking the nib because the Fisher PR4 is going to be there for you, every time.
Who is it NOT for?
1. Classic Round Pen Lovers.
The flat carpenter-style shape plus the weight of this pen may not be for everyone, and if you are looking for a more classic-shaped pen, you probably won’t be happy with this one. It’s not for everyone. Some hands just want traditional ergonomics that are standard with pens.
I do think the weight is balanced well, but I’d completely understand if someone found this pen a bit irritating and too cumbersome for everyday use. If that sounds like you, then you’ll want to pass this pen by and look for something else. Check out some of our other pens we have reviewed and love here at Gear43.
2. Lightweight & Disposable.
I tend to lose things. If you do too, then you may want to stick with the classic, lightweight, forgettable pens—or at least a pen that is not as premium as this one, for the sake of your wallet. If you want something you barely feel in your pocket and heavy tools annoy you, this pen is going to feel bulky.
If you lend out pens often and simply don’t care about writing in -30 degree weather, or are looking for a more budget-friendly pen that doesn’t require refills, then the PROOF Vanguard pen is not for you. I hope that my few thoughts here have helped you decide whether or not this is a good pen for you, and I’m truly grateful to PROOF for gifting this pen to me.
I would seriously love to see a different clip in a future model, because I truly believe this is a nearly-perfect pen.
Where can you buy the PROOF Vanguard Pen?
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
- Great Bolt Action Tactile Experience.
- Smooth & Reliable Writing.
- Unapologetically Premium.
- Smart Design & Refill System.
- Non-Flexible Pocket Clip.
