Hot off the press!

[WoodChucker]

Pen press that is.

El Grande made from Purple Heart, but the color is really weak to me.

And this one is a Cushion Grip click pen from Berea made from Bocote, really like the wood. Not crazy about the size of the cushion grip, it's a little big for the pen.

R.T.

 

[DCBluesman]

Purpleheart coloring is all over the map from deep tan to the purple you were probably hoping for. I still think it looks great. And as for the grip on the Cushion Grip pen, someone with a little arthritis in their hands will surely appreciate a beautiful pen that feels good to them. Nice job! [8D]

 

[jbjwood2000]

Good job on the pens R.T. usually put the purple heart in the window for some uv-rays for color, a little hard this time of year up here. keep up the good work!

 

[Fred in NC]

Very nice pens, R.T. !

I am with Jeff on this. I usually let the purpleheart bask in the sun . . . seems to like it and turns a nice color.

 

[darbytee]

Very nice pens, RT. I also like to suntan my purpleheart.

 

[WoodChucker]

Thanks everyone, so does the tan turn purple heart a darker shade of purple or does it make it lighter? Or maybe it changes to a different color all together? Thanks!

R.T.

 

[Tropical]

Nice pens. Ah...purpleheart... that I have some experience with. I finally feel I can make a meaningful contribution to this forum. I am in purpleheart country and having said that I have found that working with the "saka" variety better than the more commercially available purpleheart. The saka does not have as bright a purple but it produces a much nicer finish when sanded. Nevertheless, it is a nice enough purple to me. The others are correct about exposing purpleheart to light. You do this after you have sanded and then you wait for the purple to re-emerge before you put on your finish.

 

[wayneis]

RT, no matter what shade the purple is or the shape of the rubber grip is they do not hide your fine workmanship. Those are two beautiful pens.

I read in I believe it was Wood magazine quite a while ago that if you really want a vivid shade of purple the best way is to use a purple die. That way it will not fade.

Wayne

 

[WoodChucker]

Tropical, thanks for the info on purple heart and I'll keep it mind the next time I work with it.

Wayne, thanks for the kind words and the info, it's appreciated.

R.T.