Miniswitch Pen This compact keychain pen can transform into a full-size writing instrument, making it viable for long-running writing sessions.

It looks like one of those tiny keychain flashlights. You know, the kind you’ll keep on your key fob, so you can shine a light on any object by simply pulling out the pile of keys in your pocket. Except, the Miniswitch Pen is not a flashlight, but a writing instrument hiding inside the compact 2.7-inch shell.

No, it’s not one of those keychain pens that feel like you’re writing with a tiny pencil that you’ve been shaving for the last month and a half. Yeah, those aren’t fun to use. Instead, this keychain pen actually hides a full-size pen inside that compact enclosure, allowing you to enjoy both the convenience of carrying a tiny pen and the comfortable function of a full-size writing instrument. Basically, it’s the best of both worlds.

The Miniswitch Pen measures just 2.7 inches when collapsed, making it barely longer than most keys on your key fob, so it can sit inside your pants without adding any discomfort. Pull at the narrow end of that enclosure, though, to detach the actual pen section and insert it back into the case the other way to turn the whole thing into a full-sized pen. At 4.5 inches long, there’s enough gripping surface there to make it comfortable to use even in the longest writing sessions. So yeah, it’s basically a pen that consists a half-sized pen and an oversized cap that also serve as an extension for the pen’s body.

According to the outfit, it uses a precision-machined locking system that’s been designed specifically for the pen, so the whole thing locks in snugly, whether you’re using it as a full-size pen or collapsing it for fitting in your pocket. Suffice to say, this locking system ensures the two parts never accidentally get separated.

The Miniswitch Pen comes with a Schmidt MegaLine 620M pressurized ink refill, which doesn’t require you to point the pen downwards during writing. That means, you can write with the pad vertically mounted on the wall or on the ceiling. Heck, it can even write under water, so you can scribble notes on your skin while you’re chilling in the bathtub, as well as extreme temperatures or in zero gravity. Yeah, it’s an awesome refill. Once you use that up, though, the pen is compatible with any D1-type refills, so there are tons of easily available refill options wherever you are in the world.

Don’t like writing with a pen that’s attached to a keychain? Not a problem, as it has a quick release carabiner that lets you easily detach it from the key fob for unimpeded writing. For better ergonomics, it comes with milled helix shape grip lines near the writing tip, as well as an O-ring on the body, both of which should help facilitate a secure grip whenever you’re writing.  It comes in three choices of build materials, namely brass, stainless steel, and titanium.

A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for the Miniswitch Pen. You can reserve a unit for pledges starting at $38.

Check It Out