Pen blank moisture content?

[Jim Podsedly]

I am trying to make my own pen blanks and was wondering what the moisture content should be before making the pens.

I cut up the wood into 1" thick strips so it would dry quicker than in log form.

Thanks,
Jim

[Mike Vickery]

It is important for pen blanks to be really dry. I would recomend against turning them until they reach the EMC, in other words it depends on how humid it is in your area.
I have often used Microwave drying on pen blanks to dry them in a short amount of time.