Replies

1. 
   Samson | Sep 12, 2008 05:43am | #1

   I made mine from Padauk a few years back. Hasn't seen any finish but BLO. I'm still happy with the color, but judge for yourself fro this pick I took a few minutes ago:

   
2. 
   flairwoodworks | Sep 12, 2008 06:21am | #2

   Joe,

   Oil.  I finished a padauk pen with oil, which isn't a traditional choice for a pen, but it has held up beautifully over a couple years of regular use (lots of fondling).

   Chris @ www.flairwoodwork.spaces.live.com

    - Success is not the key to happines.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer

3. 
   philip | Sep 12, 2008 09:33am | #3

   Good choice for the application, but why worry about what colour it ends up at? As far as I know there is no way of preventing it oxidising to that deep red/brown colour with exposure to light.Any finishes you put on will either slow the darkening process down or speed it up- e.g linseed oil will speed it up and a catalysed lacquer will slow it down.

   Philip Marcou
1. 
   dovetailjoe | Sep 13, 2008 04:34am | #6

   Phillip - thank you for the suggestion of being careful of what kind of finish I use.
   I'm very happy with the progress and don't want to make a mistake that's avoidable.
   peace
   joe

4. 
   Knotscott | Sep 12, 2008 02:37pm | #4

   To keep the original color you may need to resurface it periodically. Make it a bit oversize and easy to disassemble.

5. 
   padauker | Sep 13, 2008 12:01am | #5

   The only real option: paint it.