a simple black pen with a simple finish

This isn’t a tutorial, but a way to remind myself. Simple isn’t very forgiving. I’ve finished one simple black ebony pen with the hopes of equaling the same finish quality. A shiny glossy ca glue finish was the lofty goal I was trying to attain. Tonight I was denied the satisfaction. This was my 3rd pen. The 1st was done on a whim which led to the 2nd. The 1st was done without care and expectations, but the gauntlet was thrown down. It generated interest where someone requested one, with gold trimmings instead of silver. Not to let an opportunity pass, I studied up on how to best apply a ca finish. The timeframe it should take,it still took a very long time to get the glossy silky finish I was after. (4 hours are so) but then I thought that’s the price of an education. Something my grandpa said to me when I had to do a brakejob a few times to get it right. Just like the brakes, I thought I was turning corners learning how to apply the finish to get better results the next time. The next time was tonight. Instead of turning corners I hit roadblocks, and between the ca glue and the laquer thinner I feel like I smoked a few cigs from the fumes. Heck it felt more like stepping up to the roullete table. Right when you have a viable strategy the wheel does something unpredictable. Going to a laquer or poly finish is starting to sound better and better. Heck either would be more forgiving. But wait it’s so simple. Maybe it was the late start, too many mistakes adding up. A tired beginning is never good. Tomorrow is another day, I feel it laughing, challenging me. Yes at least one more try. I know, eventually I’ll figure out how to get the same ca finish time and time again.

-- So much to do, so little time.