Hi Lee!
That sounds fantastic! I love blackwood, so I know what you mean about not being able to photograph it properly. I suggest you use a glossy black background, then you won't have to worry about the photo at all! [}
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Flushing the nib is a pretty good idea. I just got a new pen a few days ago, and I soaked the feed in the ink bottle for a few minutes to get the pen started right, but it would write until the ink in the feed ran out then it would go dry. It was not drawing any ink from the reservoir. I got some suggestions, and started by soaking the whole nib and section in water with a little soap in it, overnight. Then I took an eyedropper and flushed some of the solution through the section and out the feed rather forcefully, to see if there was any debris that needed to come out. It worked, and I now have good flow through the pen.
But with the pen kits we use, it is just easier to switch out nib sections to see if it was just a defective one.
Enjoy the pen! And if you have any questions about fountain pens or ink, please ask them! I started as a penturner, then learned about fountain pens when I wanted to start making and selling them. Now I have become somewhat of a fountain pen fanatic in addition to making my own pens, and own a number of new and vintage commercial fountain pens. Every new pen I buy gives me ideal about things I can do with pens I make! It all comes around.
Scott.