Tact Submarine Ballpoint Review: A Playful Theme Built on Real Quality

Introduction

Some pens try to be everything at once. The Tact Submarine ballpoint takes the opposite approach: it commits fully to one idea, and that idea is a submarine. This is the finalized production version of a pen previously seen as a working prototype, and the finished product refines what the early version started. It is still a ballpoint, which will not appeal to everyone, but it is a thoughtfully made one with a personality you rarely see at this level.

Unboxing and What’s in the Box

The pen arrives in a solid cardboard box that feels appropriately substantial for a pen positioned as a small luxury item. Inside, you get a short information card covering the pen and how to use it, a spare Schmidt refill, and the integrated pen stand.

That stand is one of the more charming details of the whole package. It can be used two ways: vertically in the traditional desk-pen style, or horizontally with the pen laid across it. The design is meant to evoke sonar waves, which fits the submarine theme beautifully. It is a small touch, but it makes the pen feel like a complete set rather than just an object in a box.

Design and Build: The Submarine Theme

The body is made from anodized aluminum alloy, upgraded from the prototype with a new surface finish for better writing comfort. It feels silky in the hand, solid without being heavy, and sits at roughly the same size as a Pilot Metropolitan. The finish is best described as gunmetal grey, understated enough that the theme stays tasteful rather than gaudy.

The theme is carried through with genuine attention to detail. The turning knob used to activate the refill is shaped like a submarine turbine, and the blades are cut with real precision. The clip is simple and functional, doing exactly what a clip should. Subtle grooves around the barrel add grip and a pleasant tactile feel, and the barrel carries a small “Tact” marking.

One of the most practical design decisions is the section. You can comfortably hold it higher up or further down, effectively choosing a girthier or narrower grip depending on your hand size. That flexibility is genuinely useful and not something most pens offer.

Writing Performance

The Submarine uses a Schmidt 909 refill in black, and Parker-style refills are also an option if you prefer. The prototype had a known issue where the refill did not retract properly; that problem is fixed in the production version, and retraction now works flawlessly.

As a writer, it is smooth, quiet, and consistent. It handles fast writing without trouble, does not blob, and generally behaves the way you want a good ballpoint to. The only minor drawback is the typical ballpoint ink smell, which is inherent to the refill rather than the pen itself.

Who This Pen Is For

This is a pen for people who appreciate a quality everyday carry with a story. It works well as a conversation piece that still looks restrained from a distance. It is an obvious gift for a submarine enthusiast, and a sensible choice for anyone who wants a refillable ballpoint instead of the disposable kind, which is nicer for the environment and for the writing experience alike.

Ballpoints also fill a real gap for fountain pen users. Forms, carbon-copy paperwork, and poor-quality paper are exactly the situations where a ballpoint is the right tool, and this one makes those moments more pleasant.

Things to Consider Before Buying

Pricing is the main uncertainty. No confirmed retail price was readily available, though early listings suggested something around 139 euros, so this is not a super cheap pen. You are paying for an all-metal build, a refill system, a presentation box, and a genuinely well-executed design. The ballpoint format itself will not suit everyone, and the characteristic ink smell may bother some users. If you need flex writing or fountain-pen characteristics, this is not that pen, and it never claims to be.

Buying Advice

If you are in the market for a nicer ballpoint, this one is easy to recommend. The all-metal construction gives it a pleasant heft without weight fatigue, and it is nicely balanced for longer writing sessions. It is solid but not tiring, comfortable across a range of grip positions, and the detail work on the turbine knob and grooves rewards close inspection. For everyday use, desk display, or as a gift for someone with a love of submarines and well-made objects, it covers a lot of ground.

Conclusion

The finalized Tact Submarine ballpoint delivers on what the prototype promised: a comfortable, well-balanced all-metal pen with a charming theme, a reliable Schmidt refill, a fixed retraction mechanism, and a genuinely clever two-way pen stand. It is not cheap, but it is a quality refillable ballpoint that is fun to use and built to last. If that combination appeals to you, it is well worth a look.