John,
Lovely workmanship. Lovely wood. As for the kit, it's not my favourite but we've sold thirty of those chrome capped axminster pens this year. I suppose it all comes down to personal preference. We make them because they sell well at a price that people can afford. Andrew prefer's the Zen (magnetic cap) as their slightly junkier and he finds them easier to turn. However, their about twice the price of the Axminster. We've only sold 2 of these this year. Your workmanship shines through even though the kit might not be the most aesthetic. We would suggest you continue making them and we would be interested to hear how they go down with the general public.
Kind regards. Fiona.