"pristina" In Amboyna Burl

[duncsuss]

I've had a couple of sets of components for the Timberbits "Pristina" fountain pen on the shelf for some time (sourced from Roy Robaldo at www.ClassicNib.com). This weekend I got around to making one, in amboyna burl. Finish is a wipe with boiled linseed oil to pop the grain, then 12 coats of thin CA -- sanded with micromesh through all 9 grits, and a finishing polish with Plast-X.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[manojd]

Very nice finish on the wood. Did the linseed oil make it darker?

[duncsuss]

Very nice finish on the wood. Did the linseed oil make it darker?

 

Thanks!

 

Although it can make the wood darker in some cases (for example, a very light maple will become a bit yellow), in this case I don't think it did. In a way, it increased the contrast & saturation a little -- and when it catches the light, it shimmers a bit.

[InvisibleMan]

Does linseed oil make the grain pop any more than straight CA? For a CA finish, I've only ever used straight CA with nothing other than a quick wipe with mineral spirits to clean the wood off first. I can't imagine the grain can pop any more, but I've never tried the linseed oil. I doubt I will anyway - I've heard too many spontaneous combustion stories

[duncsuss]

Does linseed oil make the grain pop any more than straight CA?

 

That's a fair question.

 

A couple of years back I made a test spindle, did a 2" section with BLO followed by CA, 2" with just CA, 2" with just BLO, and 2" untreated. I could see the difference between all of them, and liked the look of the section with BLO then CA best.

 

I don't remember what wood type I used -- probably maple, it was a pale color. I suppose I should run the test on each type of wood since they can all behave differently, but the idea of using a perfectly good amboyna burl blank just to test a theory doesn't make sense to me.

[InvisibleMan]

 

That's a fair question.

 

A couple of years back I made a test spindle, did a 2" section with BLO followed by CA, 2" with just CA, 2" with just BLO, and 2" untreated. I could see the difference between all of them, and liked the look of the section with BLO then CA best.

 

I don't remember what wood type I used -- probably maple, it was a pale color. I suppose I should run the test on each type of wood since they can all behave differently, but the idea of using a perfectly good amboyna burl blank just to test a theory doesn't make sense to me.

 

Interesting, I always just assumed CA brought out the best in wood, though I think I like it only on burl woods that really need the stabilization that it provides. I never tried oil under the CA. Good info.

 

Yeah, amboyna burl is my absolute favorite wood. I have some prime stuff stashed away waiting for the right project. You definitely want it to count!

[rudyhou]

that's very nice

[duncsuss]

that's very nice

 

thanks, Rudy