Time is irrelevant. It's what you do and how you do it that counts. I'd suggest looking at those that have responded and look at their pens on the site and you'll find that they achieve a high degree in their finishes but they have different times that it takes them to achieve it. The difference is their methods of finishing and what they do during that time. If you think your spending a lot of time and not achieving a finish that your pleased with then you may need to look at your process and change something, either the CA, your applicator, room temperature, humidity, the type of wood, etc etc. As said earlier there are too many variables and most are achieved through practice. The best thing you can do is eliminate the things you have direct control of which is the environment you work in, and by that I mean how clean is your area when finishing. If it's dusty, cluttered and or disorganized then it will have an effect in the finish. Develop a system if you think you need to change something only change one thing at a time or you'll chase your tail and become frustrated. Buy some hardwood dowel, practice and Experiment and have fun doing it.