It seems as though most turned pens are very large. Are they made large to show off the lovely materials used? Or is it more a question of available hardware?

I like BIG pens and small pens. Just curious.

It may be because if wood is too thin, it will crack and break.
Let's wait for Tom's reply.

Actually the most popular turned FP is not all that large..
The measurements are
5" capped
6.25" posted
0.50" max body diameter
0.312" smallest section diameter
.0562"cap diameter
However, because they are built on brass tubing they are heavier than they look.
There are pens a lot bigger than that also... but then again there are some pretty big pens made by the major manufacturers also....
The pen pictured below is an example of one I took the measurements of... made from a piece of imitation jade that is laser engraved with a dragon that I designed. The picture is 3 views of the same pen so you can see the dragon best....
it was donated to Cook Children's Hospital in TX for a fund raiser.

Thanks for the info Tom. BTW Your Dragon pen is fabulous! And that's a wonderful thing you did with it.

That is a beautiful pen, Tom. You do very nice work.

Laura

Very nice work - and a wonderful gesture.

I don't know measurements, but my husband has turned pens that I'm comfortable writing with, and I like small pens.

Tom, oh my!!!! That is some pen!!!! I love that artwork, and the material!

Elaine, if you are coming to the DC Show... look for my table... I am hoping to have a couple even better than that one...

I'll be in DC with Aunt Rebecca. I'm looking forward to seeing you in person. Perhaps we could do dinner one night.

Sounds like a plan to me... Larry (Penturner) and I are sharing a table...
I will be arriving on 10August and will be there all weekend...

Can't let Griz get away with this.

Here is a pen I made with ebony. It also is one of the more popular pen kits. It is not quite as large as the pen Griz has posted.

I find that you are correct, the larger size pens show off the materials much better. When you find a piece of rare wood or wood with an outstanding grain pattern you don't want to turn it all to wood shavings. Griz's pen is turned fat, you see it bulge in the middle of the lower and upper half. Mine is turned straight. I am more partial to that look. That is one of the interesting things about making pens, You get to put your own personal taste in the work.

I much prefer wood materials to make pens and seldom ever stray from that. Griz has ventured off into chemistry and he is an excellent craftsman and has a good sense of design.

All in all pen turning is a very satisfying hobby or small home business. The frustrating part is that unless you invest in a major machine shop set up you are restricted to what the kit makers supply.

I have to agree with Mac... there is nothing like fantastic wood to make these pens really shine....
I use high grade interesting acrylics for some of my limited editions... but only because I need a canvas for the laser engraved artwork...
Beautiful exotic woods would draw you away from the laser engraving...
Here is an example of some of the fancier woods I use... These pens are all the same size as the dragon pen... but without the swelled body that I needed to get the dragon to show properly

Wow! Great Ebony pen Mac, and that is some wild woodgrain Tom!

Keep up the good work!

Beautiful work Tom! I always look forward to seeing what you have done next.