2 Firsts in one day

[dougle40]

This is my first Deer Antler pen and also my first wooden band . The band is made from Cocobolo. I wasn't sure just how to finish it so I used my old standby ,Lee Valley Turners Polish , and it came up looking like glass . I was really impressed , I thought it would only be good on wood but I was dead wrong .

 

[PenWorks]

Very nice Doug, good job on the band and always my preference when you can leave some of the natural edge of the antler showing. Anthony

 

[jbjwood2000]

Great job, what a beauty! Really like the look of the center band, looks like the antler goes right down in it. Keep up the good work. Jeff

 

[dougle40]

Leaving the natural edge showing was something I picked up from this forum , so was the band , Thanks to all who posted something about these 2 subjects .
I turned the band with the pen but removed it to sand and polish the pen , then put it back on the lathe and finished it seperately.

 

[mike_l]

Great looking pen. I love antler and yours is a real beauty.

Mike L

 

[Daniel]

Great Pen, Great band, and Great Image of the Finish. but better yet.
isn't nice to have something go wrong in the write direction once in a while?

 

[WoodChucker]

Very nice job, I too love the deer antler pens and this one really looks good.

R.T.

 

[jkirkb94]

Doug you did great on all accounts! I really like the centerband and I like what you did with the antler. Kirk[8D]

 

[Tom McMillan]

Wow Doug!!! I love it---great looking pen on all accounts!!!!

 

[dougle40]

Thanks for all the nice words . This may have been my first Antler pen but it sure won't be my last .
I've decided that this one will go to my son-in-law as a Christmas presant for 2 reasons , #1 - he provided me with the antlers and #2- He used to weigh a little over 300lbs and now he's just over 200lbs , Deserves a reward don't you think?

 

[woodpens]

Doug,

Forgive me as I don't know how long you have been turning, but do be careful with the dust. Be sure you protect yourself in one way or another against breathing the dust created when turning antler. I had a rough couple of months when I turned several antler pens last year.

That being said, you made a terrific looking antler pen! []

 

[dougle40]

Thanks Jim , I just had someone from another forum warn me about that , she said there was a possibility of some disease from the dust .

 

[woodpens]

I had a "chest cold" for at least two months after turning these antler pens. I have since raised my prices considerably on antler pens. Although antler pens look great, I sure appreciate wood more. []