Hi guys has anyone tried using tung oil for a finish on pens? if so, how did it turn out? I'm just trying to find alternate ways of finishing pens that doesn't allow further decay of the wood, other than using CA.

I ask because i picked up som tung oil from WC the other day for bowls and just wondered how it worked for pens if anyone has tried it

Thanks

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Charles Nicholls
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Tung Oil is OK but it's not a very durable finish. That said,  (in my opinion) it is as durable as the friction type finishes being sold at the pen turning sites, and it's better than waxes. If I was going to use any oil finish as a stand alone finish, I would use Tru Oil gun stock finish.

It will build up, and if you were to live long enough to make enough coats and I suppose you could get a fairly solid finish, but I quickly ruled that stuff out as a finish for pens and such... it's really good for bowls and other decorative things though.

When I first started this turning stuff I messed around with a little boiled linseed oil, then thought I fell in love with Tung Oil, but one wild weekend I had a fling with Teak Oil, but now I realize that Tru Oil is my one and only.