While you are experimenting, there are things you can do to overcome the "plasticy" look. Some satin paints will eliminate the "shine".
EDITING: If someone does not want a shiny finish - Use a satin finish, don't sand the shine away off of a shiny finish. The sanding marks that takes the shine off will be visible under a magnifying glass. Not good for a $1000. pen.
Finish CA and some other finishes to a high gloss so that you can see if there are imperfections anywhere.
One place to start:
A good high quality bright light will help you find imperfections. A loupe or good magnifying glass will help you see scratches that the un-aided eye cannot see. Some people might think this is ridiculous but if you are selling a $1000 and higher pen, you don't want a buyer coming back showing you the imperfections.
A GOOD shiny GOOD finish will not look plastic. Look up Manu Propria pens:
http://www.penturners.org/forum/f13/manu-propria-pens-aka-tame-momiji-147017/
These are shiny but do not look plasticy. That is the result of technique, and practice with the specific finish. Dipping in CA or Lacquer can produce something close but it can also look terrible. The upper end of finishes is with technique and practice - guided by good lighting and magnifier usage - looking for the imperfections, and learning how to eliminate the imperfections.