my own opinion

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The only friction polish I've used it Hut. I've made about 5 pens so far, 4 hut, 1 CA. I got a much better gloss with the CA than the Hut. I used 3 coats of CA on the one, the first 3 pens I did with the HUT was a single coat, the last one I did 2 coats, sanding between with wax after. It came out better than the first 3, but not as good looking as the CA. Is there a better friction polish that gives the same lusterous shine as the CA? I know the CA is glossy because it's a layer of clear plastic, but is there a way to get that without the CA?

-Michael
 
I've done both CA & FP and freshly completed, they both look great. However, it is true that no finish will last forever, but I believe that a properly applied CA finish will last longer than a FP finish.

When I'm selling a pen, I want it to look as good as possible for as long as possible and I believe CA gives that to me.

My experience has been that most people are drawn to a wooden pen because of how it looks, more than how it feels. I have had some people comment on the "plastic" feel of the pen, but not enough to persuade me to market a finish that is less than the most durable I can provide.

Bob
 
I think that if you like the feel and the look of friction polish...use friction polish. If you like the feel and the look of CA....use CA. Some people like to feel the wood, other people like to see the shine. It comes down to preference and one preference isn't superior to another. However, there's no disputing the fact that CA is much more durable than friction polish. Anyway...I'm not going to say anything that hasn't already been said.
 
It's really not a matter of opinion; it's science.

If you want a long lasting shine, poly, lacquer, and ca will keep a hard shine longer than wax. If you don't want a long lasting shine, bare wood is the way to go. Which is what you will have after a few weeks of applying a friction wax.
 
This really should be posted in the Finishing forum.

That said, I used friction polish when I first started. It didn't last long as my finish of choice because the shine lasted about as long as it takes to write this. One time I just finished a piece of wood, applied the friction polish and set it on a shelf. It's been sitting there since, untouched, and it looks very nice. But, every pen I finished with it was dull and flat looking within about a week, and that was even letting it set for 2-3 days before assembling. Friction polish just isn't durable. If you don't believe me, ask Russ.

I'm always amazed that people who don't like CA claim that friction polish lasts for years, when all evidence points to just the opposite. If you don't like the gloss from CA, turn it into a satin finish with 0000 steel wool.
 
There is another reason besides durability to consider when looking at Ca vs Friction Polish, and that is the distortion to the wood color. Look at your friction polish, look at the contents, if it is displayed, and realize that almost all of them have either shellac, varnish, linseed oil or combinations of these in them. Look at the color of the Polish. Then do this, turn a beautiful clear piece of Holly, and finish with CA, then turn another beautiful clear piece of Holly with Friction Polish. Which one is whiter/clearer? Some people add several coats of FP thinking this will make it last longer, but they are changing the hue of the wood by adding an amber tint to it.
Also turn a piece of Aromatic cedar, apply FP, then turn a second piece of Aromatic cedar and apply the 3 or 4 coat
CA finish to it. Let them both lay on a shelf for a couple of days, then take your thumbnail and press into each of them The FP will dent, but usually the CA won't. I use all four basic finishes CA, FP, dissolved Plexiglass, and Sprayed lacquer, depending on what I am finishing, the results I want, and what the customer wants.

Rob
 
I personally think it's a matter of preference and I still use either CA or FP depending on the wood used and the customer. To say that FP won't last more than a couple weeks is incorrect. The first pen I made in march is still shiny and has been in someone's purse unprotected since day one. I went through a period where it seemed that the polish was fading away within days and after much frustration realized I was rushing my process and just not getting it hot enough. Anything I make that is high dollar gets CA unless my customer wants the wood feel. I still use FP on cobolo and BOW with great results. I have quite a few people at work carrying my pens as daily writers and the FP I put on them is still shining and looking great. I won't defend or swear by any finish since I feel it depends on the application and the desired outcome.
 
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