Pen Fever

[Marc Martindale]

It only took me one pen to get pen fever. What an enjoyable project a pen is. Here are some pictures of my first pens in order I made them. I even went all out and tried an Emporer Jr. kit as an anniversary gift to LOML (22 years). I'm happy with the pens but am looking to improve the finish, I'll be trying Stu's method on my next pens.

Pens are Zebrawood, Purpleheart, Cherry Burl from my sister's land, Black Walnut from a friend's land, and the Emporer is a stabalized Redwood Burl from CS USA.

Thanks for looking,
-Marc

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Marc......Those are beauties! Well done!

[Keith Burns]

Marc, they all look great !!!!

[Bernie Weishapl]

Marc those are some mighty fine looking pens. Nice job.

[Nancy Laird]

Wow! I like them all, but that Emporer is a stunner!!!!

Nice work!

Nancy

[Bill O'Conner]

Mirco Mesh puts a nice finish on them after the 400 grit sand paper, I use it on all my pens. just make sure the CA is fully cured before you use it or you'll clog the paper up fast

Bill

[Marc Martindale]

Thanks for the nice comments.

I have been sanding up to 320 with the cloth-backed paper and then up to 1200 with the black sand paper. After reading Stu's notes, I see that there are some dark spots that got picked up in the sapwood of the black walnut. Now I know where they came from. On the first pen, the zebrawood picked up some dark discoloration from sanding on the bushing, I learned on the creek to avoid that. Otherwise, I was just sanding and then using Hut crystal friction finish. I'll get some of the micro mesh and use CA for the future pens.

[Jonathon Spafford]

Beautiful pens... the wood choices are lovely! Great work! Keep 'em comin'!!!!!!!

[Stu Ablett in Tokyo Japan]

Marc, those are really nice!

I've only done a handful of the cigar type pens, I've been concentrating on the Mont Blanc style, as I like it and I want to get good at one style before I move on to the next, as it seems each one has some tricks and tips to them.

Hope the finishing method works for you, it has worked for me.

Cheers!

[Christopher K. Hartley]

Wonderful job Marc! I really like that last one alot!:)

[Steve Schlumpf]

Beautiful pens Marc! Great choice of woods and styles. Very impressed with your Emporer pen! Keep up the good work!

[Tom Sherman]

Nice job on your pens, they are a great way to start.

[Ron Raymond]

All those pens look great, Marc...but the Emporer is gorgeous!

[Jonathon Spafford]

Had a quick question.... what is the size of that purple heart pen in the middle
???

[Marc Martindale]

I just put the calipers on it, it's .43" (28/64ths) on the lower part and .45 (29/64ths) on the upper part. I was surprised how comfortable that pen is. I just make them look pleasing to the eye and fingers. I might keep the calipers handy now that I have measured them.

[Stan Mijal]

Marc,

For your first pens, they are absolutely great!. Welcome to the addiction! :)

[Joash Boyton]

Very nice....the "Ultimate" one is a top choice

[Jonathon Spafford]

I just put the calipers on it, it's .43" (28/64ths) on the lower part and .45 (29/64ths) on the upper part. I was surprised how comfortable that pen is. I just make them look pleasing to the eye and fingers. I might keep the calipers handy now that I have measured them.

Thanks for posting the size... it looks like a comfortable grip and the shape is really nice! Again nice bunch of pens!

[Marc Martindale]

Thanks for all the nice comments, they help keep me motivated!