Mini Katana Samurai Pen and Invictus Blades Z1: Two EDC Items With Serious Style

Introduction

Some gear is built to be practical, and some is built to make you smile every time you pick it up. This pair does a bit of both. A stainless steel pen shaped like a sheathed katana sits on the novelty end of the spectrum, while a titanium folding knife with an M390 blade is a genuinely serious piece of everyday carry kit. Here is how each one holds up in real use.

Mini Katana Samurai Pen

The Samurai Pen from Mini Katana is a stainless steel pen designed to look like a sheathed samurai sword, and it does a convincing job of it. The glossy black body feels solid and well made in the hand, with texturing at the bottom of the handle that adds real grip. The red accents worked into the handle give it a sharp, deliberate look, and the overall finish is genuinely sleek.

It uses a twist-to-deploy system: you twist the handle and the pen extends past a defined breaking point just beyond the textured section. As a writing tool it gets the job done, and it feels smooth on the page. The pen ships with a replacement ink cartridge included, though it is unbranded and there is no confirmed information on whether other cartridges will fit.

How It Writes and Who It Suits

Honestly, this is more of a novelty pen than a practical one. That is not a knock, since the sword aesthetic is clearly the point, and for a sword collector it makes a striking desk piece. For most people it is the kind of item you would find in a souvenir shop or pick up as a gift for someone who appreciates a bit of flair on their desk. Mini Katana asks roughly $29 to $30 for it, which feels fair for what it is: a fun, well-executed desk accessory rather than a daily writing workhorse.

Invictus Blades Z1

The Z1 folding knife is where things get serious. The first thing you notice is the shredded carbon fiber inlay with red accents set into a titanium handle, and it looks genuinely beautiful in person. The M titanium body is nicely finished, and the blade is a 3.15 inch M390 drop point with a flat grind. M390 on an over-three-inch knife at this price is a standout combination of premium steel and premium handle materials.

Locking, Carry, and Everyday Handling

The Z1 uses a button lock, and the action is excellent, with smooth, satisfying flipping. The blade centering is spot on, which says a lot about the build quality. The handle accommodates four full fingers with a large finger groove, plus minor jimping on the spine and barrel spacers near the tail. The M titanium pocket clip is nearly deep carry, tip-up only, and it is reversible, so combined with the button lock this is an ambidextrous knife that works for left-handed users too.

Should You Buy the Z1?

At $230 on the Mini Katana website, the Z1 is not cheap, but premium materials always command a premium price, and this is undeniably premium material spec: titanium handles, shredded carbon fiber inlays, and an M390 blade. For a first impression of the brand, it is a very strong one, and it suits anyone who wants a handsome, well-tuned folder with top-tier steel for daily carry.

Conclusion

These two items serve very different purposes. The Samurai Pen is a charming novelty that earns its place as a desk piece or gift, while the Z1 is a legitimately impressive folding knife with premium materials and excellent fit and finish. Pick the pen if you want personality, pick the Z1 if you want a serious blade that also happens to look stunning.