Stablized Box Elder Burl - Guardian Jr.

[sachbvn]

Alright - this is my first attempt using a "stablized" pen blank.... it was described as turning an extremely dense wood... I'd agree.... kinda felt like plastic....kinda felt really hard like African Blackwood (but even a bit harder).... I sanded through 1000 and then took it to the Beall system.... I am PLEASED with how it came out. The Guardian Jr. is really one of my favorite looking kits.... at first I thought the rubber grip was a little gimicky, but I really think it adds to the pen. It was mentioned to me that it would be good for an older person who doesn't have the hand strength or ability to hold smaller objects.... I think they are right - the pen would fit right into that description.

Anyways - I didn't want a dyed B.E. Burl - I just wanted the clear kind. If I didn't prefer so much to write with thinner pens, I may have kept this for myself!

Oh - it's a Chrome kit, and like always - my pictures don't really do it justice, however I did use something to hold it upright this time!

Thanks for looking!
Zac

[boodrow]

Zac great lookin pen , keep up the good work
Boodrow

[maverick31]

great job zac. I really like the box elder burl too. Since you have posted a few of these guardians I may have to get me some to make. They look like a nice kit.

[sachbvn]

Yeah Maverick - I'd give it a whirl. At PSI they are like 7.95 and Woodturningz has them for 7.45 I think - but I did buy the last three woodturningz had, but I'm sure they ordered more. The click mechanism seems very good, the rubber feels nice, and cleans well with just a damn cotton cloth, and it comes with a nice Parker gel ink stick. The pen leaves a good amount of wood around the barrel and it is a nice weight. I'd check one out for sure!

Thanks for the comments guys!
Zac

[Doug B]

Great looking pen Zac! I love BEB also, whether stabilized or not and whether dyed or not. That is very nice wood.

The best thing about stabilized wood is that you do not have to put a finish on it - just shine it up. Sure saves a lot of time.

Pics look great too. Only thing I'd recommend is a little more light directed at the clip end of the pen...it's a little dark, but still very good pics.