imported post
Kubotans are listed on TSA's list of prohibited items for carry-on luggage, as are all martial arts devices. Tactical pens are really just kubotans designed to look like an ordinary pen. Some have concealed blades in them.
Like all security checkpoints, the strength or weakness of the security is primarily determined by the human operators and their amount of training, experience and motivation. TSA operators are no different than anyone else. You may get a tactical pen past them, or you may not. Why face the confiscation and possible other hassle if they recognize this sort of object? There are other completely legitimate items one can take aboard commercial flights that can be used as an improvised weapon if needed, and that will be at least as effective, if not more effective, than a tactical pen. I always carry my Surefire flashlight aboard a plane. Odds are extremely low that it would ever be needed as a weapon-- there are better odds (although not high) that it would be needed as a flashlight in a smoke-filled plane. Very high odds it will come in handy finding the light switch in the dark hotel room.
A regular sturdy cane or walking stick also is legitimate to have aboard a plane. But given the cramped conditions on many planes, I always settle on the flashlight.
A hairbrush and a conventional ballpoint pen are also legitimate items to have aboard and capable of being pressed into service.