Baron in Local Walnut Species

[jjjaworski]

This pen is made with a local walnut that grows in New Mexico. It is called Mimbres Walnut. The timber was air dried for several years and has great color variations.

The timber was harvested from a fallen tree in Capitan, New Mexico. Smokey the Bear was rescued as a cub from a forest fire in Capitan.

I finished it shellawax for a more tactile pen.

 

[mikespenturningz]

Did you oil before you use shella wax? I am not sure so I am not questioning your method. It seems like that wood should have more pop to it?

 

[jjjaworski]

Mike,
Just sanded to 1000, did the EEEE and then the Shellawax polish. It's not too bad but it just doesn't pop like a CA finish would. I was just a bit lazy to go the CA route.

I wanted to make one as a breather from a 45 pen commission job that I need to get out before the 10th when I have some hand surgery *G*

 

[mikespenturningz]

Try wet sanding the wood with either BLO or Walnut oil for a few grits next time and you will find that the wood will practically jump out at you. I don't use any CA on my pens as far as finishing goes.

 

[jjjaworski]

Thanks for the tip Mike. I will do just that. I have plenty of both oils and like walnut oil on all the bowls I turn.

 

[ChrisN]

Looks very nice. I really like the way walnut pops with a CA finish though. I just turned my first pen and I used walnut with a CA finish.

 

[BSea]

I really like the look of the wood. As you said, it has nice color variations. While I like CA finishes, I'm going more and more to a more natural finish on my pens. So I'm really liking the look of your finish.

 

[Ligget]

Awesome pen, great work James!