Finally got around to doing my first Platinum El Grande Elite RB in Chechen Burl I got from Dario... You have to get some of this if he still has some.. it is not the cheapest blank, but it is well worth it if you take you time and go slow and THINK... like most burls it has voids, but small ones that can easily be filled with some CA as you go along... like I do on a lot of blanks that might have hidden voids, I painted the tubes with a dark brown sharpie marker.. that way if you get a void that goes all the way through, the brass won't show and it looks more natural.... WORKS FOR ME!!!
Turning this kit is like turning a GIANT slimline pen.. straight lines and not a whole lot of wood left on the tubes... BE CAREFUL ..
Assembly is straight forward and very easy.. no tricks or troubles..
The pen also has a nice filling hand feel and writes very well. The RB refill is first rate...
My biggest complaint...
For the size of the pen it is extremely light weight and because of the lack of weight, in my opinion has a cheap feel.. I think it is because I expect a wooden pen to have a little heft to it and this one just don't got it... I also think the design and plating on the centerband could have used a bit quality control..
However, if you are looking for a large diameter pen for yourself or a customer who has problems using a smaller pen due to arthritis or hand cramping, this is a perfect choice... and the large diameter really does show off the wood nicely...
Pen was sanded to 600 grit, then 2 thinned coats of sanding sealer buffed with 000000 steel wool cloth, a full strength coat of sanding sealer buffed with 000000, followed by 2 thin coats of thick CA, sanded to 8000MM, followed by automotive polishing compound, Hut Plastic Polish and a coat of TSW and Ren wax
Turning this kit is like turning a GIANT slimline pen.. straight lines and not a whole lot of wood left on the tubes... BE CAREFUL ..
Assembly is straight forward and very easy.. no tricks or troubles..
The pen also has a nice filling hand feel and writes very well. The RB refill is first rate...
My biggest complaint...
For the size of the pen it is extremely light weight and because of the lack of weight, in my opinion has a cheap feel.. I think it is because I expect a wooden pen to have a little heft to it and this one just don't got it... I also think the design and plating on the centerband could have used a bit quality control..
However, if you are looking for a large diameter pen for yourself or a customer who has problems using a smaller pen due to arthritis or hand cramping, this is a perfect choice... and the large diameter really does show off the wood nicely...
Pen was sanded to 600 grit, then 2 thinned coats of sanding sealer buffed with 000000 steel wool cloth, a full strength coat of sanding sealer buffed with 000000, followed by 2 thin coats of thick CA, sanded to 8000MM, followed by automotive polishing compound, Hut Plastic Polish and a coat of TSW and Ren wax