Chuck,
You have been priviliged to receive a cross section of really exciting blanks all of them will produce exciting pens value added they are indeed. That pen Box is beautiful. If you get out a map of Australia you could then more fully understand why I say this. First look up Mackay Queensland for the Mackay Cedar, Queensland is also the home of my allthetime favourite Hairy Oak (I just got a log from very far north Qld myself). Bimble Box Burl from various including areas of South Australia and NSW. Purple Gidgee (absolutely incredible blank there) is approaching a National Treasure timber from Qld. Figured Jarrah from Western Australia together with that piece de resistance WA Birdseye Sheoak Pen.
The timber in your gifted pen together with the others would turn all penmakers anywhere simply green with envy. I admire the way Troy has gone completely fulfilled in this swap to you the Birdseye Sheoak shimmers, glows outstandingly beautiful perhaps the very best example of this timber I have ever seen. The kit holds the unit together complementing the whole. It would be appropriate if you produce pens from these gifts to name Troy as the provider as I for one look forward to your making pens from them and also your reception of these timbers when you make them.
Pen swaps come and go and I have been totally privilidged to meet incredible folks swapping over the years between States and Countries each one has added to my sharing
skills and techniques, broadened my geography of the world.
Thank you for displaying Troys work so clearly for all of us to see and enjoy with you.
Kind regards Chuck and Troy,
Peter.