Breath in breath out...!
Geezz...! Mark, who is the "angry man" here...!
Coming after me and being smart/jokes, won't take you anywhere with me mate, you seem to be a little confused on a lot of stuff and certainly on what I said about your pen...! I did no do such a thing as "bashing your pen design" using your own words...!
I said:
"My point of criticism on this thread, is not due to the quality of the workmanship and finishing abilities you have demonstrate not only with this pen but with many others however, I don't particularly like the idea of using anything that would, in one way or the other, hide/obstruct/change the exact characteristics of a piece of wood with such historical significance, such as the Washington Chestnut tree...!
The idea in my view, of show-casing an antique piece of wood, is to do it in such way that, all or at least the vast majority of the original characteristics are preserved, true colour is crucial and staining it, even if slightly, is spoiling its authenticity...!
Is that, the true colour of the Washington Walnut tree...??? no, is not...!
Your staining colour choice and execution are perfect in my view but, and as a matter of "principle", I believe that, what you have done, is not right...!"
So, what part of my statement, you didn't understand...??? and what have your designs have to do with my post(s)...???
I'm glad that you have so many people that like your pens (designs) but using my opinion on someone else's post, that is a low shot, and you know that...!
Is a shame that you have not taken the time to do your home work before you come up here and tell lost of rubbish about what you thing I am, and do. Basing all your information on my eBay store principle and listed items, only shows that you don't have the decency to do your home work before you open your mouth...!
Why don't you spend a little time cooling down with a cup of coffee (after all you said that, you got up in the wrong side of the bed, today...!) and have a closer look at many of the pens that are made from the woods I sell and showing on the listing pics. Do yourself a favour and look under my profile for all my threads and have a good look and them tell me what you found, please...!
You took far too serious my observation about, you staining the historical piece of wood, and you may have not notice or don't want to, others did also suggest that wouldn't be something they would do, I certainly wouldn't but YOU DID so, live with it, what is the big deal...!
Some years ago and while I was still a member of the Australian wood-turners forum, twice I was selected to judge a pen competition, there was a reason for that, and that certainly was not good looks...!
There is a risk of being impartial and direct, giving honest and constructive criticism to forums like this, seen as something negative and devaluing by folks like you that, are not prepared to respect others opinions and that make their own interpretations of what was said, that doesn't help you much here nor anywhere...!
I'm done with the issue so, no point in playing pin-pong...!:wink::biggrin:
Cheers
George