Stabilized Burl

This is the first time that I have used a stabilized wood on my pens. Let me tell you it is the very best. Turns great and the finish is better than any other wood I have used.

Maple Burl Pen Blank is Great

I've made a couple of pens with these and the stabilized blanks are really hard material. Be sure to use sharp tools and you can polish them off for a nice pen. Go with the stabilized burls, since I've had the other kinds shatter on me. These stay together and are as hard as nails.

Interesting Grain Pattern

I have turned several pens using this blank, and have found it to be quite satisfactory, producing a very attractive pen, although I normally reserve this blank for larger cigar type pens. I have had excellent results with the Olympian II, Apollo Infinity and Majestic Jr kits.

be very careful

I have been trying to produce one pen with this wood. I have now accomplished 1/2 of a set. The wood seems to be dry. The problem I experienced was that the wood "catches" on the turning tool and either chips or splits out chunks down to the brass tube. On my 3rd try of four pieces, trying to use the experience from the first two failures, I was dissapointed even after using great care, sharpened tools and a lot of patience when the wood felt like it exploded under the cutting tip. I still have to buy more to finish a set which has been ordered by a customer, but I will take this off my available list.