egnald
Member
Greetings from Nebraska! I made these as gifts to the graduating High School Seniors from our Church. They were made using Elegant Monarch kits with Cross Bands from The Classic Nib and Bethlehem Olive wood that I got from a supplier in Israel. (Before retiring I traveled to Israel about once a year to visit my engineering team in our Beer Sheva manufacturing plant).
Personally, I prefer the pens that have both an upper and lower blank, but other than adding a cross clip to a slimline or using the PSI Faith Hope & Love kits (which are too ornate for my taste) there are few options. Also, these are twice as fast to build in batch mode since I can fit two blanks at once on my mandrel for turning, sanding, finishing, etc. The wood was very easy to turn and seemed to take a finish well. I really like the contrast from the dark streaks that run through it. Other than a few being a little fat I think they turned out OK.
Regards,
Dave (egnald)
Personally, I prefer the pens that have both an upper and lower blank, but other than adding a cross clip to a slimline or using the PSI Faith Hope & Love kits (which are too ornate for my taste) there are few options. Also, these are twice as fast to build in batch mode since I can fit two blanks at once on my mandrel for turning, sanding, finishing, etc. The wood was very easy to turn and seemed to take a finish well. I really like the contrast from the dark streaks that run through it. Other than a few being a little fat I think they turned out OK.
Regards,
Dave (egnald)