Just tried a new blank from Bear Tooth woods, their law enforcement pre-tubed blank. The blank turned nicely and took a good finish. Mated it with a gun metal bolt action.
I have a supply of small Denver PD badges that I have been bending around a drill bit to conform to the curve of a pen tube. I glue them to the tube and cast them in clear resin but this takes a long time. Thanks for the info, will check out the web site.