Tacray MP1 Review: The Titanium Bolt-Action Pen That Pulls Double Duty as an EDC Tool

Most EDC pens make one promise: write well, look good, survive a drop. The Tacray MP1 makes a different one.

It's a bolt-action titanium pen with a swappable tool bit on the back — and the bit that comes standard is a T6/T8 Torx driver. If you carry a folding knife, that combination alone covers 80% of your field maintenance needs.

We analyzed five independent video reviews to give you the most complete MP1 verdict available. Here's exactly what they found.

## Tacray MP1 — Quick Specs

1. Bolt-Action Mechanism: Smooth, Tight Tolerances

The MP1's bolt-action is one of the most consistently praised elements across all five reviews.

"Writes really well. Very easy to write. Love that bolt action." — Tacray Does It Again

"The bolt action mechanism — feels really smooth. The tolerances, they've got them pretty much bang on, even for the bit here which you unscrew and swap out." — This Pen Unscrews, Cuts & Writes

One reviewer noted that the titanium threading deserves specific credit: unlike aluminum pens where threads wear out over time, titanium holds up to repeated bit-swapping without degrading.

2. The Bit System: What Comes in the Box

The MP1 ships with five bits covering four distinct functions. Here's what each one actually does in daily carry:

**T6 + T8 Torx (double-sided)**
The standout bit for anyone in the knife community. T6 and T8 cover the pivot screws and body screws on the vast majority of folding knives. Three out of five reviewers specifically called this out.

"I can't have enough T6s or T8s. Get your pivot a little loose, you can tighten it up. That's very cool." — Bees Blades

"A six and eight is actually pretty good for knife stuff — the pivots and body screws, those are pretty common sizes." — Tacray MP1 Titanium EDC Pen With A Cool Gimmick

**Graphite pencil + stylus (double-sided, included ×2)**
The graphite tip is a compressed high-carbon cone — it doesn't sharpen, doesn't need to, and reviewers consistently found it lasted far longer than expected.

"Just can't seem to put a dent in this thing. It's going to last you quite a while." — This Pen Unscrews, Cuts & Writes

The stylus end works, but requires firm pressure. Most reviewers preferred keeping the stylus side outward for pocket carry since it's rounded and snag-free.

**Box cutter + carbide glass breaker (double-sided)**
A sharpened wedge blade on one end, tungsten carbide tip on the other. The box cutter is genuinely sharp and handles cardboard and tape cleanly. The carbide tip functions as an emergency glass breaker — a niche use case, but a real one.

"I have never seen a box opener quarter-inch bit before. That's really neat." — Tacray Does It Again

**Phillips PH0 + Flathead SL3.5 (double-sided)**
Standard small screwdriver combo. Useful for electronics, glasses, and small appliances. The PH0 size won't handle most household screws — this is precision driver territory.

**Compatibility note:** The bit holder accepts standard 1/4" hex bits. Last Best Tool confirmed that a T27 from a Makita kit seats securely — meaning you can swap in any standard hex bit you already carry.

"I always carry bits around. This is a T27 straight out of a Makita kit and it cinches in there quite solid." — Last Best Tool

3. The One Limitation You Need to Know

Every reviewer landed on the same conclusion: you can only carry one bit at a time, and the extras have to live somewhere else.

The barrel holds exactly one double-sided bit. There's no internal storage for the remaining four. You either swap before you leave the house, or you carry the bit tin separately in a bag or organizer.

"If they all fit inside of it, that would have been really cool, but they don't." — Is This MINI EDC GEAR Worth the Cost?

"Zero room for any onboard bit storage. If you want onboard storage, that probably means maybe an MP2 or something with a longer barrel." — Last Best Tool

This is a real limitation — but it's also a solvable one. Most users who carry the MP1 settle on one bit and commit to it. The two most common daily configurations reported across reviews:

**Shirt pocket carry:** Stylus/pencil bit in — rounded end faces out, snag-free, looks clean
**Bag or organizer carry:** Box cutter/carbide bit in — functional for daily tasks, carbide facing out for safety

The T6/T8 Torx bit is the one most knife people keep on their desk or in a small tin alongside their sharpening gear — pull it out when you need it, swap it in, done.

4. Refill Compatibility: No Proprietary Trap

The MP1 uses 60mm refills — the same format used by Lamy and a wide range of generic suppliers available on Amazon in bulk packs.

"I like that it takes generic refills. 60mm refills — I believe Lamy do those. You can get generics online as well, like a huge pack of them." — This Pen Unscrews, Cuts & Writes

One reviewer pointed out that because the MP1 is a compact pen, refills deplete faster than a full-size pen. The recommendation: treat it as a backup writing instrument rather than your main pen, and keep a spare refill in your kit.

"This would be better suited for a backup. It will run out of ink a lot faster." — Tacray MP1 Titanium EDC Pen With A Cool Gimmick

5. Who Should Buy the MP1

**Buy it if you:**
- Carry a folding knife and occasionally need to tighten a pivot or body screw
- Want one compact item that writes, marks in pencil, opens boxes, and has a glass breaker
- Prefer titanium construction that will outlast aluminum or steel alternatives
- Need a shirt-pocket pen that doesn't print or snag

**Think twice if you:**
- Want your primary daily writing pen — the compact size and small refill make it better suited as a backup
- Need all tools accessible instantly without swapping — the single-bit system requires a decision upfront
- Don't care about tool functionality and just want a premium pen — at $55, pure pen alternatives offer more writing comfort per dollar

**The bottom line from reviewers:**
The MP1 isn't trying to replace your Swiss Army knife or your main pen. It's trying to give you a writing instrument that pulls real tool duty when you need it — specifically T6/T8 Torx for knife maintenance — in a form factor that disappears into a shirt pocket.

For that specific use case, it's genuinely hard to beat.

Frequently Asked Questions

**What refills does the Tacray MP1 use?**
60mm refills, compatible with Lamy and most generic suppliers. You can buy them in bulk packs online — no proprietary refill required.

**Can I use my own hex bits with the MP1?**
Yes. The bit holder accepts standard 1/4" hex bits. Multiple reviewers confirmed compatibility with bits from Makita and other standard driver kits.

**How many bits can the MP1 hold at once?**
One double-sided bit at a time. The remaining bits need to be stored separately — in a bag, organizer, or the included bit tin. There is no internal storage in the barrel.

**Is the black version the same as the natural titanium?**
Functionally identical, but the black version uses a coating rather than raw or anodized titanium. Several reviewers noted they preferred the natural finish because you can actually see the titanium — the black coating looks similar to a coated aluminum pen.

**What's the difference between the T6 and T8 Torx bits?**
Both are included on the same double-sided bit. T6 covers most pocket clip and body screws; T8 covers pivots on many folding knives. Together they handle field maintenance on the majority of EDC folders.

Final Verdict

The Tacray MP1 is a well-executed product for a specific type of person: someone who already carries a folding knife and wants a compact pen that doubles as a field maintenance tool.

The bolt-action is smooth, the titanium construction is built to last, and the T6/T8 Torx bit covers the most common knife maintenance task you'll run into during the day. The refill system is universal, the bit system is open to standard 1/4" hex, and it fits a shirt pocket without printing.

The single-bit limitation is real. Going in with that expectation, most users find a configuration that works and stick with it.

→ [Shop the Tacray MP1 Titanium Multi-Tool Pen]

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**Looking for more Tacray EDC gear?**
→ [Best EDC Gifts for Men [2026]]

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