Thanks for the kind words. The name is, in fact, the genus and specie (in Latin--sorry, Hank, but I'm not quite ready for Japanese!).
Gerry - the finish is a lacquer sanding sealer, finished with lacquer and TSW. Ed, this kit has a lot of meat on the tubes, so I doubt there will be as high a probability of cracking. This is my 7th snakewood pen this year, ranging from 3 weeks old to four months old. None have cracked (nervously saying a small prayer). The Panache is more comfortable to write with than it looks. The balance is fine. The looks aren't my taste, but they are very popular with my co-workers. I think it attracts the faux-artistes. BTW, if any of you are staying away from turning snakewood, the turning is quite simple as is the finish. It's the part about holding your breath for a few months that makes most folks crazy.