El Grande vs Ligero

[Jim in Oakville]

Hi,

Here are two pen kits that are basically the same but with different looking accents. A customer of mine wanted a nice wooden pen with a straight barrel body. This was a bit of a challenge for me as most of my pen bodies have some curve to them. I chose the Ligero and the El Grande to present to him for his choice.

This is the Ligero from CSUSA. I have been making this pen for a few years, the wood on this one is an Afzilia .

I liked the wood blend of heart and light wood, this is highly figured

This is the El Grande, I bought it at Lee Valley. The body is a heart wood/sap wood amboyna burl.

This wood was very dense and easily chipped out…a sharp and often honed skew came to my aid on this one.[:0]

I am not sure I like the look of the accent on the El Grande as much as I like the Ligero, my customer will make that choice.

 

[Pikebite]

Both really nice but the amboyna is stunning.

 

[jjenk02]

Ditto:

 

[Geo in Winnipeg]

I think they are both excellent. I tend to favour the accent on the Ligero as well but like you said - it's the customer's choice.

 

[GaryMGg]

Great woods, nice kits, excellent pen-making.
You gave him tough choice: better looking kit or awesome looking wood. [}]

 

[mrcook4570]

They are both nice, but I prefer the looks of the afzelia and the trim rings on the ligero.

 

[CaptG]

Two great pens. Tough choice between them.

 

[Tea Clipper]

You could also show him the El Grande Elite which again is the same base pen but with fancy accents. The Ligero is heavier by an ounce I believe, so it may depend on what feels good in his hand. Both are excellent examples, btw. []

 

[gerryr]

They are both very well done, Jim, but I bet he picks the El Grande because of wood. I haven't made either of these, but have made several El Grande Streamlines and like them.

 

[BigRob777]

Nice pens. I can't wait to get back to turning.
Rob

 

[Jim15]

Beautiful pens.

 

[NavyDiver]

I would be happy with either one!

 

[wudnhed]

Both are gorgeous!

 

[Jim in Oakville]

Thank You all for your kind words and thoughts.

I thought posting the two would be an interesting topic...some of us pen addicted turners know the imbalance we all face at the lathe[]


Anyway, the customer chose the amboyna burl...he was very excited about it too....we put a fountain pen tip on it and it was what made him happy.[]

The blank was a stabilized ambonia from Arizona Silhouette.[]


Again thank you all for your kind support!

 

[huntersilver]

Both are awesome looking pens[]

 

[johncrane]

Well DON! there both very impressive! but the amboyna burl is really magnificent thats my pick. []