Shallows Bolt Action Pen

The Backstory, Written by Paul Munko

When the opportunity to collaborate with Tactile Turn came up at Blade Show last year, I immediately started thinking about how my artwork could translate onto a pen for the first time. I’ve spent years in the EDC space, primarily working with knives, collaborating with brands like Northern Knives, Knafs, and various designers and manufacturers. This project felt like a natural evolution. It gave me the chance to bring my work onto another tool I carry with me every day.

If you’re familiar with my work, you know it tends to be whimsical, dark, and a little bit weird (but who doesn’t like weird?). Designing for a pen introduced a new challenge. Instead of a single focal point, I needed to create something seamless that could wrap and flow around the barrel while still feeling intentional from every angle. I wasn’t dodging screws and pocket clips, I was thinking exclusively about perspective.

Introducing a mess of tentacles allowed me to keep my design language in tact while creating something that “moves” into place properly when rotated. Once the decision was made to introduce a gradient into a starry night sky, the idea hit to include a “moon” for a bolt, which glides across the starscape when in use.

Working with the Tactile Turn team was an incredible experience. Every detail was brought to life exactly how I imagined, and I couldn’t be happier with the end result. I hope you all like it as well! Thank you as always for supporting me and these projects. I truly am thankful for your continued support. I couldn’t do this without you!

For more information on me or my projects, feel free to check me out at colorfulfilth.com, and follow me on instagram @colorfulfilth.

Cheers!