Hello All,
I've got a couple TruStone blanks I'll be using for pens. BTW's website says they're very opaque but I just want to make sure I don't need to backpaint them. I'm using the Bloody Basin and White w/Black Web designs. Has anybody used these that can give me some firsthand advice on if I should backpaint the blanks or not?
Thanks.
Hi Jay, a very timely question. I just finished these letter openers just a few weeks ago as Christmas presents to my three adult children. I did not use any backpaint. These TruStone blanks I have had for 3-4 years, so they may be from the original factory stock.
You may be aware, but if not, here is what I have heard; and please anyone
correct me if this history is not correct.
edit, these are all gold matrix.
The original manufacturer of Trustone had "issues" and is not the same company that makes the blanks now. So the blanks I have and used, may be
a different formulation that what is currently available. What for me may have been a very dense formulation may not be the same as recent iterations.
So, for me - no backpaint. My opinion only - when examining the letter openers, no hint of the brass tube. (Two hairline fractures on one due to me getting the blank too hot during drilling, but no real visual issues for my audience!)
While these blanks were in my cabinet for several years, they were easy to turn (with caution and experience) and polished up nicely. I need to buy some of the new stock and compare. The old stock was great and the newer stuff may be just as fine.