The request came from a buddy at work. He wanted something lighter, not as elaborated, and "modern looking". We went through the catalog together and he picked up the Rollester as the style of pen he would like to have. Selecting the blank tool a while. He was aiming for something with matte finished and black, but settled for a carbon fiber blank. The CF blank cost about 3 times more than a typical acrylic blanks I've used so far.
Later, he spotted another blank which he would like to try out. It is not plastic or wood but River Buffalo Horn. Quick read of the reviews revealed that this thing stinks when machined and crack easily. Wanted to try out new material, I relented.
The packaged arrived 2-3 weeks after placing of the order. This round, I opted to ship via ezBuy's US ship for me to reduce the cost of shipping. My first shipment of slightly lighter weight cost me 47% of the value of my purchase. Too expensive but the shipment arrived a week earlier and to my door step.
I was extremely careful during drilling and turning of the 2 blanks because of what I read online, them being brittle, as they cost much more (the horn is 2 times more expensive than the regular blanks I used so far, even after promotional
discount). Turned out, they are not as bad as the reviews. The CF is easier to work with. I only encountered some issues with the horn when drilling it. It gets hot easily. Some water was used when drilling to keep the temperature down.
But i I love how this two turned out. Nice! Took some pics to show their new owner and he flew down at 4am in the morning to pick them up!
The next morning, I decided to turn the other CF blank I'd left. When I was about to finished it with sanding and polishing, I notice the nice matte surface beneath the dust. Took a damp paper towel to clean things up a bit. It struck me, from what I saw, that this may be what my buddy wants. So I took some pics to show him. Immediately he said yes!!!
discount). Turned out, they are not as bad as the reviews. The CF is easier to work with. I only encountered some issues with the horn when drilling it. It gets hot easily. Some water was used when drilling to keep the temperature down.
But i I love how this two turned out. Nice! Took some pics to show their new owner and he flew down at 4am in the morning to pick them up!
The next morning, I decided to turn the other CF blank I'd left. When I was about to finished it with sanding and polishing, I notice the nice matte surface beneath the dust. Took a damp paper towel to clean things up a bit. It struck me, from what I saw, that this may be what my buddy wants. So I took some pics to show him. Immediately he said yes!!!
He sent me this pic after picking up the pen and commented that the matte finish is much nicer to him.
I still have 2 more kit left in the Rollester series to
turn, but would likely to wait for the next shipment to test them out with other color blanks to see how it will look in brighter colors.
turn, but would likely to wait for the next shipment to test them out with other color blanks to see how it will look in brighter colors.