When designing a pen for everyday carry, most companies tend to deliver models that clock in at between 3.5” and 4.5”. This is because there’s traditionally been a bit of a tradeoff and balancing act that needs to be considered, as smaller pens are markedly more pocketable but tend to not offer as good of ergonomics or balance. Meanwhile, larger pens perform better in terms of balance and ergos while not being as convenient to carry. Now, thanks to some seriously outside-the-box thinking, New York City-based outfit HANCEPT has managed to deliver the best of both worlds with their second-generation Zero pen — the world’s only credit card-sized transforming pen.
Rolling Up A Writing Instrument
Using tolerances down to 0.00039 of an inch, this design consists of a flat, credit card-sized square vertically segmented into eight sections. Developed over the course of two years — a period that saw 34 design revisions and 27 prototypes produced — the Zero MK 2 remains locked in its flat, square configuration until it’s unlocked using a series of linked sliding mechanisms, allowing it to roll up into a hexagonal shape. The sliding elements also protrude out once slid down, allowing them to ultimately join together to form the cone that supports the pen’s ballpoint cartridge. Despite the transforming design, the Zero MK 2 still manages to deliver a surprisingly solid 55/45 weight distribution (from the center of the barrel).
Credit Card Dimensioned
When flat and unrolled, the pen is almost the exact size of a credit card at 3.375” by 2.125”. It also clocks in at just 2mm (or 0.078”) thick. When rolled up in its hexagonal form, the pen spans 3.85” in length and 0.47” in diameter. This means the Zero MK 2 fits into standard wallet card slots, which also means the Zero MK 2 gives you the option of just carrying a MagSafe or phone wallet, and still getting to tote a pen. The whole thing weighs in at just under an ounce, too.
Breaking It On Down
Meticulously pieced together entirely by hand, the Zero MK 2 is made up of 54 parts in total, all of which are composed of 6000 Series aluminum alloy and watch-grade 316L stainless steel. The Zero MK 2 accepts standard — and universally available — (0.7mm) Staedtler D1 ink cartridges, making sourcing refills a breeze. Winner of a coveted iF Design Award, the entire thing transforms from a card to a pen in just 3 seconds, too. The MK 2 Zero pen is also manufactured in South Korea.
Options For Decking Out Your Zero MK II
The pen is also offered in a Deluxe Package that includes a metal desk stand that displays the Zero MK 2 in either its flat or rolled configurations. Thanks to embedded N52 neodymium magnets in both the pen and the stand, the Zero MK 2 can magnetically couple to its alloy desk display unit. Crafted from titanium PVD-coated steel, the stand’s unique shape also allows it to be configured in one of several different directions and orientations. HANCEPT is also offering a few other optional add-ons such as a full-grain leather card wallet, and a leather stand pad. Available in Original Silver or Dark Silver finishes, the Zero MK 2 is also offered with custom engraving for a small added fee.
An Honest Interpretation
For the last five years, my daily-carry has included either a Fisher Bullet Space Pen, a Big Idea Design Mini Bolt Action Pen, or a Tactile Turn Mini Bolt Action Pen — all of which are plenty pocketable at 3.77”, 3.5”, and 4.4” (in length) respectively. As such, I’ve never had any issues with the “bulk” or heft of these pens, so in some way, we’d argue the Zero MK 2 is solving a bit of a non-existent problem — at least when viewed through the lens of everyday carry.
Why We Love It
Having said that, we do have to acknowledge that this is unequivocally the best pen wallet we’ve ever seen — and by a huge margin. Even compared to wallets that have been designed to carry onboard pens, the Zero MK 2 blows these designs out of the water — such as Dango’s T01 Tactical Pen Wallet or Bellroy’s Travel Wallet (both of which are wallets that we genuinely really like too!). It’s also hard not to applaud HANCEPT for the sheer creativity and ingenuity of this second-generation pen — not to mention how well it’s been executed. Though this transforming design may look fairly simple on paper, the reality is that this is far from the case. Getting the more-than-50 parts to all work in harmony and function as a competent writing instrument was no easy feat, so our hats go off to them for that.
Spec Sheet
Brand: HANCEPT
Model: Zero MK 2
Material: 6000 Series Aluminum & 316L Stainless Steel
Ink Refills: 0.7mm Staedtler D1
Open Dimensions: 3.85” x 0.47”
Closed (Flat) Dimensions: 3.3” x 2” x 0.078”
Weight: 0.98oz
Manufacturing Origin: South Korea
Pricing & Availability
The HANCEPT Zero MK 2 is currently available for backing on Kickstarter, with early bird pricing starting at $199 for just the pen, and $249 for the Deluxe Package (i.e., the pen and stand, plus a few refills). As of the time of writing, this Kickstarter campaign has surpassed its targeted funding goal more-than-17-times-over. The first deliveries of the Zero MK 2 are scheduled to ship out in August.
Recap
HANCEPT Zero MK 2
New York City-based outfit HANCEPT unveils a new-and-improved, second-generation version of its Zero pen — a credit card-sized item that transforms and rolls up into a hexagonal writing instrument that’s perfect for EDC.
