Archive for the ‘Peruvian Walnut’ Category

Peruvian Walnut Slimline Ballpoint Pens

Peruvian Walnut (Juglans neotropica) is very similar to American Walnut but it’s difficult to work because it’s very prone to splintering and tears out. However, it takes an incredible finish and it’s grain is very pretty. The wood I used to make these pens were off-cuts from a dining table I built for friends a few years ago.

Mechanism: Cross style and refills are readily available in most office supply stores.

Finish: The pens were sanded up to 400 grit, then burnished with 0000 steel wool to bring up a smooth surface. It was then finished with mineral oil, bee’s & carnauba wax and a final polish with paraffin wax.

Price: US$35
Item Ref No: PWSP0032 (top) and PWSP0033
Status: Sold but similar pens may be available. Click here to inquire.

Peruvian Walnut & Osage Orange .50 Caliber BMG Pens

49OO-50PW-50BMGP2
49OO-50PW-50BMGP

These pens are made from once-fired .50 caliber BMG (Browning Machine Gun) shell casings.  The turning of the pens is relatively straight forward but the assembly was less so and took some figuring out.


The Peruvian Walnut (dark brown, left in top photo) has some nice grain to it and I’ve always liked turning this particular species. The Osage Orange has some nice cathedral grain and I cut a faux cannelure groove into it to simulate a real bullet using an AP round that was given to me as a gift.


Mechanism: Cross style twist ballpoint mechanism.

Finish: The wood was sanded to 400 grit then polished up to 0000 steel wool.  A wax & oil finish was then applied.  The brass shell casing was sanded to 800 wet & dry, then up through 0000 steel wool, and finally polished with silver polish to a soft luster.  Since these are once-fired brass, there are dings & scuffs from the firing, extraction and collecting processes.

Price: US$40
Item Ref No: OO-50BMGP0049 (Osage Orange) and PW-50BMGP0050 (Peruvian Walnut)
Status: Sold but similar pens may be available. Click here to inquire.