WHO WE ARE / EST. 2008
We Don't Follow
the Standard.
We Set It.
Nottingham Tactical was built from the ground up by people who understand precision - not as a concept, but as a craft. Every piece we machine carries the weight of real expertise, real tools, and real American-made quality.
FOUNDER & CEO
Lee Nottingham
Machined in America. Grounded in Craft.
Lee Nottingham Jr. did not simply enter the EDC industry. He helped shape it.
A journeyman tool and die maker by trade, Lee built his foundation in the demanding world of precision machining, where a thousandth of an inch can determine whether a part performs flawlessly or fails entirely. While many people can learn to operate a machine, not everyone possesses the deeper skillset required to truly excel in the trade. Lee brings something more refined - an uncommon blend of precision, intuition, and craftsmanship that sets his work apart.
Long before much of today's EDC market took form, Lee was already machining precision components behind the scenes for some of the most respected names in the industry. For years, he helped bring other brands' ideas to life while quietly refining the standards that would later define Nottingham Tactical itself.
Still, Lee could not find a writing instrument that fully met his expectations for function, durability, and design. So he did what true machinists and innovators do - he built one.
That idea became the TiClicker®, first produced in 2017. In 2018, after waking from a dream, Lee sketched what would become the TiButton® mechanism and ultimately the world's first patented double-locking mechanism for a writing instrument (Patent No. US 11,794,510). From there, he went on to design seven interchangeable mechanisms, left- and right-hand configurations, and a bolt action intentionally engineered to stay clear of the hand while writing.
With over 30 years in the machining industry, Lee leads Nottingham Tactical with the same standards that built his reputation: precision, durability, innovation, and a belief that American-made craftsmanship still matters.
BEFORE NTI HAD A NAME, LEE WAS THE NAME BEHIND SOME OF THE MOST RESPECTED EDC MAKERS IN THE COMMUNITY.
CO-OWNER
Liz Nottingham
The Heart Behind the Brand.
Liz Nottingham is the driving force behind the customer experience at Nottingham Tactical.
Alongside her husband, Lee, Liz co-owns Nottingham Tactical and is solely responsible for managing the customer journey from start to finish. From emails and customer interactions to order communication and shipping, Liz works hard to ensure every person who buys from Nottingham Tactical receives an experience that is personal, seamless, and memorable.
In 2021, Liz joined the business full-time, bringing with her a background in sales and a natural passion for connecting with people. Although she entered the EDC world with little prior familiarity, she quickly recognized what made Nottingham Tactical different: unmatched machining skill, true innovation, and a product line engineered to stand apart from the rest of the industry.
Writing has always been a passion for Liz, which makes her role especially meaningful. What began as stepping into the family business became a dream realized - helping bring beautifully machined, American-made writing instruments to customers who truly appreciate them.
For Liz, customer satisfaction is never secondary. It is central to everything she does. Through her dedication, warmth, and attention to detail, Liz helps ensure the excellence customers see in Nottingham Tactical's products is matched by the service they receive behind the scenes.
PRODUCTION MANAGER • OWNER, CUSTOM MACHINE WORKS
Cory Wallace
Precision Meets Artistry.
Cory Wallace is a cornerstone of Nottingham Tactical's product development, production excellence, and custom finishing work.
A certified machinist with an applied science degree earned in 2006, Cory brought a strong technical foundation to Nottingham Tactical when he joined the team in 2017. Before coming to NTI, he ran jobs at API working on military and defense parts - experience that further sharpened the precision, discipline, and high-performance standards he brings to his work today.
From the earliest days of the pen line, Cory has played a defining role. He worked alongside Lee in developing the first pen produced by the company, the TiClicker®, and has remained a critical force behind the strength and growth of the product line ever since.
Around 2020, Cory expanded his capabilities by bringing Nottingham Tactical's custom finishing work in-house through Custom Machine Works. Since then, every NTI Cerakote pen and custom exotic piece customers have come to admire have been touched by Cory's craftsmanship. His work has helped push the visual and creative boundaries of what a writing instrument can be.
To say perfection is the standard hardly does his work justice. He has helped bring some of the most unique and visually striking pens to the industry - pieces many enthusiasts consider true works of art.
Cory brings over 20 years of machining experience to the trade. He has been married to his wife, Karla, for 18 years, and together they have two daughters. At NTI, family and faith are part of the company culture - and that spirit is visible even at trade shows, where Cory and Karla represent the brand together.
PARTS DEPARTMENT LEADER
Chad Runnels
Decades of Mastery. Zero Compromise.
Chad Runnels brings an extraordinary depth of experience and machining knowledge to Nottingham Tactical.
A government-issued Journeyman Tool and Die Maker with nearly 40 years of experience, Chad has been an essential part of Nottingham Tactical since 2014. From the beginning, he has led the parts department with steady leadership, technical excellence, and a team-first approach that has made a lasting impact on the company's success.
In addition to his role at Nottingham Tactical, Chad also helps lead the company's job shop alongside Cory, where their combined experience and commitment to quality continue to strengthen operations across the board.
Chad is an expert CNC machinist whose skillset extends far beyond one discipline. He has mastered manual machining, grinding, lathe milling, and EDM sinker and wire work - giving him a rare breadth of technical capability that only comes from decades of real-world experience.
His knowledge is deep, practical, and invaluable to the continued excellence of Nottingham Tactical's machining operations. He is also a proud father of two and grandfather of three granddaughters.
OUR TEAM
90+ Years of Expertise.
Zero Shortcuts.
Precision at this level does not come from chance. It comes from decades of experience, discipline, and an uncompromising standard for doing things the right way.
Our team brings over 90 years of combined expertise in machining, manufacturing, and precision design to every piece we produce. That depth of knowledge allows us to do what others cannot: take an idea and turn it into exactly what was envisioned. Not an approximation. Not a compromise. The real thing - executed with precision.
That same commitment extends beyond the EDC community to writing enthusiasts, professionals, and even cancer patients who need dependable tools made from thoughtfully selected materials. Our copper and brass writing instruments are crafted from naturally antimicrobial materials, offering loved ones a meaningful way to continue writing during some of life's most difficult moments.
With every piece we produce, we aim to raise the standard. Not because we have to - but because that is who we are.
WHY NTI
What Makes Us Different
Most pen companies are retailers. We're machinists. There's a difference - and you can feel it in every piece we produce.
When you order from NTI, it's made right here in America - by the same hands that designed it. No outsourcing. No compromises. Every cut, every thread, every finish is ours.
For years, we produced precision components for the EDC makers who became the household names you know today. We know what quality looks like because we helped establish what quality meant.
Our team's combined experience spans decades of real machining work. Every detail in every product is informed by that depth - not trend-chasing, not guesswork.
Your vision, our precision. Every custom order gets the same attention as the first one we ever made. That's the deal - and it doesn't change.
The TiButton® Double Lock is the world's first patented double-locking mechanism (Patent No. US 11,794,510). You're not buying a copy of someone else's idea - you're buying the original.
Seven interchangeable mechanisms. Left- and right-hand configurations. A bolt action designed to stay clear of the hand while writing. There is no other fully modular writing instrument platform on the market today.
