Kirk (KC) Constable
12-16-2005, 7:24 AM
I've had approimately 6 hours of sleep in the past 2-1/2 days...after several days of 4 hours or so each before that...but I'm done, and spent my 'quiet time' at work last night wrapping up for shippng 6 Gentleman/Statesman II, 14 Wall Street II/Sierra, one comfort pen/pencil set, two comfort singles, and a woodworkers/sketch pencil. Along with these, I've sold a handful along the way to coworkers, and LOML gave three more Gentleman's away to folks she works with.
Now that I have some pen experience under my belt again, I'll suggest those of you that haven't take a look at the Wall Street II (Woodcraft)/Sierra (Berea). It only uses one short tube, so you can get two pens out of a 5" blank. The tooling on this kit is outstanding, and it's basically already put together...all you really have to do is press in the clip. I bought 5 or 6 of these at the Woodcraft store, ordered 20 from the Woodcraft catalog, and then ordered 30 more from Arizona Silhouette, a mix of platinum and gold. Every one has been as close to the same size as my micrometer thingy will measure.
I also learned that the trick to this kit is to turn the nib end down a few thous less than the trim band. If it's even the teensiest, tiniest bit over it creates a shadow line that looks like it's not seated properly on the pen, even tho it is. Cutting just a hair under makes it a beautiful fit.
I've also switched to Maguires (sp?) mirror glaze as my 'smoothing polish' after CA and lacquer. Very wet look, extremely high gloss.
The kits are a whoooole lot better nowadys than they were 10 years ago...and the sources of stunning wood are everywhere. It's easy to understand why so many folks are making pens nowadays. I must admit to already a small stash of 'special ones' that are just to pretty to sell. :eek: :D
KC
Now that I have some pen experience under my belt again, I'll suggest those of you that haven't take a look at the Wall Street II (Woodcraft)/Sierra (Berea). It only uses one short tube, so you can get two pens out of a 5" blank. The tooling on this kit is outstanding, and it's basically already put together...all you really have to do is press in the clip. I bought 5 or 6 of these at the Woodcraft store, ordered 20 from the Woodcraft catalog, and then ordered 30 more from Arizona Silhouette, a mix of platinum and gold. Every one has been as close to the same size as my micrometer thingy will measure.
I also learned that the trick to this kit is to turn the nib end down a few thous less than the trim band. If it's even the teensiest, tiniest bit over it creates a shadow line that looks like it's not seated properly on the pen, even tho it is. Cutting just a hair under makes it a beautiful fit.
I've also switched to Maguires (sp?) mirror glaze as my 'smoothing polish' after CA and lacquer. Very wet look, extremely high gloss.
The kits are a whoooole lot better nowadys than they were 10 years ago...and the sources of stunning wood are everywhere. It's easy to understand why so many folks are making pens nowadays. I must admit to already a small stash of 'special ones' that are just to pretty to sell. :eek: :D
KC