How is "Cigar Ash" on pens achieved?

[Kretzky]

I've seen some rather superb looking Cigar pens shown on here & was just wondering, can anyone point me to info on how the very realistic looking "cigar ash" effect is achieved?
TIA

 

[MartinPens]

Get yourself some buckeye and some sort of carving tool and dive in.

 

[mredburn]

I do not believe that you will find a step by step tutorial or thread with the information in it. Those that make those kind of pens discover the method by trial and error.

 

[Kretzky]

I do not believe that you will find a step by step tutorial or thread with the information in it. Those that make those kind of pens discover the method by trial and error.

Not looking for a step by step tut. I'm willing to 'have a go' just thought there might be some guidance so that I'm not headed off in completely the wrong direction.
Martin Thanks for your input, that's the sort of help I was looking for.

 

[rsmolens]

I rough grind the end of the pen with a rasp and then mix black & white paint. Dab the paint on. don't paint it on like a wall.