Center bands on both is African black wood.
I don't use the tube that comes in the power point kit.
I use a 4"tube.
I mill a cob and have both sides of the CB milled and ready.
I mark the tube where the first cob ends glue that on with thick,add the c.b. then the other cob.
I turn the whole thing at once.
THe Dye?
That's an old chinese secret.
They are magic markers I get at the Flea market from the "Chinese"dollar stores.5 for a buck.
When I first started coloring my CC pens I checked out the price of Dyes.
DIdn't know which to get there were so many to choose from.I decided to try the markers and have been using them ever since.
THis is one of the first ones I colored and I like it the best.
I always "shoot" for this look but I really have no control over the outcome and tell my customers that when they order them.