Thanks folks for the compliments!
Bill, no, this is Deft high gloss, spray. I haven't used the water-based lacquer, but plan on doing so soon. Just a matter of time......
Tom, as I mentioned, the lacquer is Deft high gloss spray. I finish turn, sand to 600, apply a coat (or maybe two, depending) of sanding sealer, then remove the blanks from the mandrel, and place them on a 1/4" allthread. I can do multiple blanks like this. I then spray 3 or 4 coats, usually, slowly rotating the allthread by hand. Then I remount on the mandrel, rub LIGHTLY with 0000 wool (or sometimes with Fiberal fine grade), and finally buff with my Beall system, again, VERY lightly. I do really like the very high gloss finish. As far as preference? Not really sure....generally folks can't tell the difference. I usually use lacquer on my pens that have more coves / beads / etc, as those are just so easy to sand through when finishing with CA.
Dale, personally, I think the lacquer is easier. I am so particular with my CA finishing, and really hate to see any flaws in it at all, so that means sometimes refinishing and refinishing! Not that I'm not particular with my lacquer, but it's a heck of a lot easier to NOT sand through it!