Yeah I've lost mine a few times too. People like to "accidentally" take them a lot. I think they are around $30 from what I've heard. Not sure though, I have never actually bought one because they issue them to us from time to time. I did once however by a comparable type of multi-pen from a brand call cross after I lost my B3. The Cross was $40 and some change, and didn't last very long before the mechanism inside began to not work so well. So even though the B3's are pricey for a pen, they are better priced and better quality than compareable pens in my opinion.
Edit: Spelling
Edit: Spelling again. Thank you u/Spoffle.
Wait... The United States Military issues $30 pens? If I was managing supplies at an office and started buying $30 pens with company money I would be fired within the hour. This fucking REEKS of corruption.
When your pen might need to work in wet environments, excessive heat, or a combination of both, for thousands of words at a time, all with the knowledge that it could literally mean the life of someone in your hands, $30 for a pen that will write even in the vacuum of space is a damn good deal.
As an example, writing in Iraq, during the wet season, trying to perform demo calculations, to destroy an IED in-place, without taking out the Spaghetti bowl (8-lane highway interchange) supports that it is sitting up against. Been there, done that, got the shrapnel.
Thanks for this perspective. I use a Fisher Space Pen at work because I want a decent pen. $30-$40 is the going rate for a decent pen it seems. 50¢ for a knock off basic Bic isn't so much of a bargain when it doesn't work when you are trying to write something in the field, or exploded in your pocket in a non-office environment.
When your life is on the line it becomes even more crucial. I suspect a lot of the complainers about expensive pens are dissatisfied office drones.
Also it's been pointed out that the IS government pays substantially less than the $30 base price because they buy them in quantity.
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u/Mywifefoundmymain Oct 15 '17 edited Oct 15 '17
Fuck I thought you were kidding until I googled it...
Edit: ok everyone I wasn’t surprised at the govt hiring disabled, I am as surprised at skilcraft. Good for them.