My first pens

[ValleyBoy]

My first pens, having been woodturning for a while. I made them both out of elm burr. The blue one is a ProKraft Byron and the other is a Beaufort Ink mistral.

I’ve applied a CA finish and I need to improve my technique, but I think that will come with practice.

Ash

 

[Terry Q]

Excellent results for a first pen(s).

 

[WHCreations]

very very nice! so much better than my first attempt! The CA finish is something that you can practise. I got myself a cheap slimline and put cheap wood on the tube to practise on. When I had finished I simply broke it off and did it again.

 

[Penpal]

Beaut first ,second etc now comes focus,cropping etc,liking your approach to making and taking.

Peter.

 

[angelo49]

Excellent first pen!! Nicely Done!!
Finish looks pretty good from here!

 

[Les ELm]

Nicely done for your first go at it.
Well done.

Les

 

[ValleyBoy]

Agreed. I’ve actually been practicing by turning down a spare piece of wood, finishing with ca then turning it down and doing it again etc.

What I have learnt is that it (I) was less effective on the stained wood compared to the natural piece, and it was due to my impatience of not letting it cure completely (I apply danish oil on the stained bit to give it more depth). The one I use says 20 mins drying but in fact I t takes a good 24 hours to cure fully before applying sanding sealer and then the ca finish. I’ve already noticed that it makes a massive difference.

 

[Phil Dart]

Talk about making an entrance! As far as your photos show, they look extremely professional. Way better than my first pens, that's for sure!

 

[fortress]

Well Ash, those are extremely good for your first turnings. The photographs are top notch too. Very well done.

 

[alan morrison]

And that's an entrance
Well done

 

[Pierre]

Nice pens.

No Danish oil by its nature does not dry fast even on small surfaces like pens. I started with it on bowls but stopped and I now make a 'Popote' mixture of Grapeseed oil and Beeswax, about 2/3 oil to 1/3 wax melted in a 'bain mairie' such that the mixture when cool has a soft creamy texture. Its brilliant for final sanding of bowls and is also food safe and is miles cheaper than Danish oil.

I am not however a fan of colouring beautiful burrs, but that's a personal problem not yours

PG

 

[Bill Mooney]

Very well done Ash. Good looking pens.

 

[ValleyBoy]

Hi Pierre

Thank you for the feedback. Yes I too use a similar thing for bowls and other lathe work (I mix mineral oil with beeswax). I only use Danish oil for coloured/stained wood because the one I use offers UV protection which prevents the colour fading.

I take your point on staining burr/highly figured wood. I’ve only recently accepted the idea myself and even then I think should be done sparingly. I’m afraid Instagram is largely to blame!

Regards
Ash

 

[Doug]

Good looking first pens Ash

 

[Frederick]

Very well done. These are class. You should feel
justifiably proud. I would be.

Cheers
Frederick

 

[Paul hd]

They look great.

 

[wm460]

Great looking pen Ash well done.