Interesting thread. I have not turned a pen for nearly a year. Old pappy time is pickin' my pocket. I no longer write cursive. As a result I have to draw each character. Time consuming. All due to diabetes. However slimlines are my favorite pens. I have always liked the feel of a slim pen. The Sieras and similar pens would allow my fingers to slide towards the nib. As a result I have always turned my pens with a slight flare at the nib. A number of years ago Woodcraft sold cheap slimlines in bulk. Can't remember but it was perhaps two dozen pens for 30 bucks or so. The transmissions were cheap but always worked well. I'm posting a picture of one of my very first pens. Don't know the wood but is has been my carry pen since I started turning. The turning is not the greatest, the finish is dipped in polyurethane. I've turned lots of pens since but more slimlines than anything. Cheap so I can give them to the butcher, the baker or candlestick maker.