TAG Submarine Ballpoint Review: A Nautically Inspired Brass Pen with Real Character

Introduction

Some pens aim to be subtle. The TAG Submarine Ballpoint leans into a theme instead, and it commits to it fully. Made in Taiwan by TAG, a division of the TA Group, this is the ballpoint companion to the Submarine fountain pen, and it carries over many of the design cues that made the original interesting.

The pen arrives in a simple box with product information, the pen itself, a spare Schmidt Softline refill, and the company’s “sonar stand” for parking the pen on your desk. Priced at $99, it positions itself as a well-built premium ballpoint with some genuinely distinctive touches. Here is what stood out after spending time with it.

Design and Build Quality

The Submarine is built from brass with a semi-matte black exterior finish that feels appropriately premium for the price. The silhouette is slim, slightly on the thin side, and it has been noted to resemble a Parker Ingenuity in overall shape. Paired with the TAG Submarine fountain pen, the two make a convincing companion set, sharing the same lines, the same clip treatment, and the same turbine-style details.

Parts and Features

The standout detail is the twist mechanism at the end of the pen. When twisted, the refill extends with a patterned tip that resembles the propeller and propulsion system of a submarine. It is a small flourish, but it is exactly the kind of thematic consistency that makes a design feel considered rather than gimmicky. The ridges around the twist mechanism also help you keep a firm grip when deploying the refill.

The clip is stiff in a good way, with a small notch detail that gives it visual interest without shouting. The section and barrel both carry grooved texture, though the geometry tapers quickly, so most writers will naturally grip a little further back where the grooves continue. Get too close to the taper and the grip tends to slide toward the end of the pen.

The Sonar Stand

Included with the pen is the sonar stand, a compact weighted desk accessory with felt on the bottom and a series of raised ridges along its surface. TAG describes it as usable “vertically for action or horizontally for reflection,” which is a charming bit of copy for what is ultimately a pen rest. The weight is well judged: heavy enough to stay put, light enough not to dominate a desk.

The ridges are straight rather than curved, which is a slight thematic miss given that sonar waves radiate outward in concentric arcs. It is a nitpick, but a hint of curve would have completed the concept. As it stands, it is still an attractive and functional companion piece.

Writing Performance

The pen ships with a Schmidt Softline refill, and a spare is included in the box. While the typical preference in this category leans toward rollerballs over ballpoints, the Submarine’s refill performs well. It is smooth, flows nicely, and avoids the draggy, scratchy feel that plagues lesser ballpoints.

For everyday writing, that smoothness is the difference between reaching for the pen and leaving it in the drawer.

Size Comparisons

The Submarine is slightly shorter than its fountain pen sibling. Alongside a Monteverde Engage, a Parker Ingenuity, and a Pilot Metropolitan, it fits comfortably among the slim-to-mid-size black pens most writers already know. Next to a Lamy 2000, Lamy Safari, and Lamy Dialog 3, it reads as a distinctly slim pen. If you prefer a wider grip, this is worth noting before you buy.

Buying Advice

At $99, the Submarine Ballpoint makes a case for itself through materials and design intent rather than raw performance. The brass construction feels solid, the thematic details are executed with care, and the included stand adds tangible value. It is a thoughtful piece from a company clearly interested in doing something different, and it will be worth watching what TAG produces next.

Conclusion

The TAG Submarine Ballpoint is a well-built, well-designed pen that rewards buyers who appreciate theming done properly. The propeller-style twist, the sonar stand, and the matte brass construction all point to genuine design effort. It is not the most practical choice if you dislike slim pens, but for everyone else it is a distinctive $99 ballpoint that feels worth its price.