Post #200547 by AlohaStation on Tue, Nov 29, 2005 7:05 AM

Thanks for all of the compliments. I haven't posted anything lately because of my camera, but that issue has been resolved. I love doing the pens because its such a portable project - I can carry them with me almost anywhere. All of my carving is done with a #11 Xacto blade. I've tried other blades but its the one blade that I feel most comfortable with. I also love working with the exotic woods. I picked up a package of mixed wood from Woodcraft and have tried all of them with mixed degrees of success (even used Deer Antler). Most have been turned into normal wood pens while others you have already seen.

A funny story - since using the lathe I have tried many woods, native and exotic. About 6 months ago I developed a strange rash - all over! I thought it was a heat rash or something similar (at the same time we were fighting head lice with my daughters). I was itchy from head to toe - I reaked of Calamine lotion. One night I was so itchy in some private places that I accused my lovely wife of giving me the crabs. She wasn't amused! Then I did some research and discovered that not only do some wood species cause sinus and lung infections but they also cause skin irritation. Mystery solved. It was an expensive lesson because I had to make up with the wife and that wasn't cheap. So be aware and carve smart.