Pen Blanks

[sroxberg]

I have some curly cherry left over from a Blanket chest build and I want to cut it up for pen blanks. It is planned to 3/4" so I'm assuming that I would create 3/4 by 3/4 blanks, but how long should I make them?

I don't know what types of pens I'd make, or might end up with some many blanks that I'd sell some.

So 3/4 by 3/4 and 6 inches long, does that sound correct?

[Herb G]

Yeah, 6" is plenty long for pen blanks.
Make sure to cut with the grain lengthwise.

[theeviltwinn]

Cross grain and cut on a bias can be interesting. Strength isn't an issue with a pen.

Twinn

[Herb G]

theeviltwinn said:

---

Cross grain and cut on a bias can be interesting. Strength isn't an issue with a pen.

Twinn

---

It is when you're turning it.

[sroxberg]

If 6" is too long I can cut them any length, just need flexibility.

Some of my scrap pieces are 40" long so I'll get multiple blanks from one cut-off.

[Herb G]

Send them to me for proper disposal.

[Gary G™]

Herb G said:

---

[blockquote]theeviltwinn said:

---

Cross grain and cut on a bias can be interesting. Strength isn't an issue with a pen.

Twinn

---

It is when you're turning it.

---

[/blockquote]

Sharp tools, light touch and good to go.
Usually more interesting figure too.

[Arlin Eastman]

Herb

Twin is right.

If it is cut from 15* to 30* it shows the figure a lot better. We have never used Cherry before so I am looking forward to seeing how they look when you post a pen.

Arlin

[Angus]

been a long time since I've done pens. But, a couple of my favorites were crosscut cocobolo and bias cut zebrawood.

[Herb G]

I stand corrected. But strength it still a factor, at least to me.
I've split, cracked, and blown out more pen blanks than the law allows.