You should have flown out John, I'd have bought you a beer. Or a vodka cran. Or CBD gummies. LOL
One thing I've never learned to use correctly is a skew. I have several, have watched videos online, but just can't get it. I do use them as scrapers from time to time, but that's it. Gouges have served me well for over twenty years, though, and learning the skew isn't a high priority for me. As for turning more abalone blanks, I don't know. They're very expensive, and the mistakes I made were very nerve wracking. It was worth it in the end, of course, the pen is magnificent. And Lauren is beyond excited about it. She chose the blank, and the abalone is perfect, since she's getting married on the beach in Mexico. I would have to say it's my second favorite pen I've ever made, behind my son's wedding pen, of course. But his was Bethlehem olivewood, which is much easier to turn.