Blade Show 2026, Atlanta — In a historic first-year entry, American pen manufacturer Nottingham Tactical (NTI) has been awarded Blade Show's Best of the Rest — the show's only category dedicated exclusively to non-knife items. The winning product: the TB360™ pen, crafted in Chad Nichols DarkTi Damascus.
A Pen That Beat the Competition
The Best of the Rest category pits outstanding non-knife EDC products against one another, making this victory particularly significant. The TB360™ in DarkTi Damascus — a collaboration between Nottingham Tactical and renowned damascus smith Chad Nichols — was selected as the overall winner, beating out a field of formidable competitors.
The TB360™ represents Nottingham's "slim carry" line, named for its .360" diameter profile. It delivers the same trusted button-lock feel as NTI's flagship models in a sleeker, more refined package built for writers, gifting, and everyday carry enthusiasts who prefer less bulk in their pocket.
First Year, First Win
"To earn this recognition during our first year entering the competition is an honor," the Nottingham Tactical team stated. The win marks a remarkable debut on Blade Show's competitive stage and validates the brand's commitment to precision manufacturing and American craftsmanship.
Blade Show: A Community Hub
For Nottingham Tactical, Blade Show has served as more than just a competition venue. "@blade_show has been one of the most important places for us to grow our community, build relationships, and share our passion for American-made craftsmanship," the brand noted. The team expressed deep gratitude to the show organizers, the judging panel, and their supporters.
About Nottingham Tactical
Based in the USA, Nottingham Tactical is a premium manufacturer of machined pens and pencils, handling every step of production — from raw material to final assembly — entirely in-house. The brand holds multiple patents, including the TiButton® Double Lock (US Patent 11,794,510), and has become known as "America's Pen®" for its commitment to domestic manufacturing and innovative mechanisms.
The TB360™ joins a lineup that includes the original TiButton® Single Lock, the patented TiButton® Double Lock (the world's first pen with a built-in safety mechanism), and the NottaBolt® bolt-action pen. All products are designed with the same philosophy: precision, reliability, and the belief that every writing instrument should be worthy of the stories it helps create.
