I'm still reluctant to post my pens because I see some of the spectacular work other folk do, but if you don't post your pens, how are you supposed to know how good they really are?
These are very good pens for a first stab. In fact, they're bloody good pens, period. I've seen pens for sale which aren't this good. You know where I saw these pens first? In the "Recent Uploads" of the Photos section. I was so impressed that I went to your profile to see if you'd posted a thread around them.
Friction polish is a perfectly valid way to finish a pen. In fact, in many ways CA is a complete cheat. I don't know when CA was invented, but I don't imagine they had many artificial solutions 60 years ago with which to finish woodwork! So, I'd encourage you to go and perfect your "natural" finish.
I wish I had the time to shellac my pens, for example, but CA is a quick and dirty fix!
Likewise, they aren't likely to tell you if you mixed woods that don't look well together etc.
Yeah, for example, don't ever listen to me on that subject: I hardly ever like mixed wood pens.
...everyone seems to start with those "slims" probably because the kits are so inexpensive...
Damn straight - that's why I used them!
I have found they are more difficult to do than say a "cigar" pen (at least for me and some others I have heard comment).
Yeah, they can be, because you're left with very little material on the tube. On the other hand, I turned my first fountain pen recently and there was less than 0.5mm wood on the brass. And, of all the stupid wood choices, I used the most splintery one I could find: coconut!!! I honestly think I got lucky!
