Pens made from Mahogany, Bloodwood, Walnut, Red Oak and ???

[Dan Parr]

Made these pens over the last few days. I am trying to build an inventory to sell. However I love the look on peoples faces when I give them one of these as a gift. So far Slimline and Cigar pens are all I have ever done. Any suggestions as to what kit to try next?

 

[eharri446]

You might try a Sierra, Executive, EDC, or a Glacia. The first three are from PSI, and the last one is from Exotic Blanks.

 

[egnald]

Greetings from Nebraska - I started with Slimline but quickly transitioned to a Comfort style by buying Comfort Center Bands and Bushings to convert my Slimlines into Cofmort - without the rubber grip. Essentially a Slimline with a larger diameter center band. The benefit was that I could continue to use the less expensive Slimline kit and still turn a heavier pen without so much corset like appearance because of the tiny Slimline center band.

In keeping with the 7mm kits, I next bought a collection of PSI Designer NT, Euro style kits, then Cigar.

The next was a step up to the Jr. Series to try using Rollerball instead of the Cross and Parker style refills. I use the basic Junior Gentleman kits from "The Woodturning Store" as they are in the same price range as Cigar kits.

Nearly all of my finished pens are made up of these few styles with the exception of a few Sierra and special themed styles.

Good Luck and Best Regards,
Dave

PS Most of my pens are either given away to friends, made for our Church to give as gifts to graduating seniors, or are just collecting in my private collection. The Church pens were a Sierra style called "Elegant Monarch" with little crosses on the center band. The kits were a little more expensive, but I could get 2 pens from a single "Bethlehem Olive Wood" blank since they are a single tube kit.

 

[peter1958]

I want to try them all!!

 

[studioseven]

Ben, Checking your posts and introduction, you seem to be a newer turner. If so your pens look great, especially the finishes. Also I see several that have segmenting. Did you make those blanks? If so you are way ahead of the curve. There are a score of single blank kits you should try to give your inventory more variety. There are a lot of Sierra style kits you could try and many of the venders that post on this site carry them. Now keep in mind that there are different "strokes for different folks" but the next time you turn a slimline try making the blank a little narrower. From my eyes, it seems to look nicer. Again, I really like your work and thanks for posting. I look forward to seeing your newer work.

Seven

 

[wolf creek knives]

You might consider the Trim Line from PSI, or others. A bit more meat on them but very similar to the Comfort pen that @egnald mentioned. Plus they won't break the bank to make.

 

[Dan Parr]

Thanks Guys there are a lot of good suggestions here. Yes I do make my own blanks and I love trying different materials. Well looks like I've got to get on line and start ordering some kits

 

[cynot]

Those are nice pens. You will find that the different pen kit suppliers online sell the same pen kits under different names. For example, Cigar and Big Ben kits are the same as well as Sierra, Gatsby and Wall St. II. I like the Sierra/Gatsby kits because I can turn two at a time. I often buy the starter kits from Penn State because you get the bushings as well as a few kits in different finishes. If you like click pens, I prefer the Gatsby Click pen and the Compson pen. Both are from PSI. Their click mechanisms are by far the most reliable. I would stay away from the Woodcraft Wall St II and III Click pen kits.

 

[penicillin]

Why not pencils? A matching pen/pencil set can be special, and you don't have to buy another set of bushings, either.

 

[qquake]

If it were me, I'd try the PSI Gatsby and/or Gatsby Grande.

 

[Old feller]

Made these pens over the last few days. I am trying to build an inventory to sell. However I love the look on peoples faces when I give them one of these as a gift. So far Slimline and Cigar pens are all I have ever done. Any suggestions as to what kit to try next?

Hi I have stuck with the Slimline as I have a market for them. You can still make rhem any shape you want. I have also started to make them from Acrylic. Have a few things to change with them

 

[Madman1978]

Nice work

Try the Groove Twist. They are as simple as the Slimline. I also love the Le Roi Pens. Nice long blank to show off in one piece.