Thread: CA and BLO on blanks

I've never tried using BLO, but my impression is it has gone out of fashion a bit over the last few years? Most folks, if they're using CA at all, seem to have gone to just a straight CA finish.

Plenty of threads on this if you search for them.

I have never had success with BLO/CA as all I ever get is a BLO finish (as the CA ends up on the cloth/towel). In all cases I have seen in Aus of people using this method and shown me, they have a BLO finish, there was no CA at all. Having said that many in the USA swear by it and assure me their pens do have a CA finish, they said it was all about the method used, plus the amount of BLO used

My CA method works for me but does take a lot of effort and putting up with the smell. It does leave you with a consistent 0.1mm min to 0.5mm layer though and fills all the voids. There are many different methods of applying a CA finish, some that only work on pure timber solid blanks, some on all blanks. Being a pen judge, I look for a consistent good coating with no "sand throughs"/ridges/scratches/lines/voids/air pockets etc over the entire blank.

Everyone is different though, so you will need to develop a technique that works for you, and that's assuming you are Ok with CA (may have issues with smell and/or allergic reactions).

I gave the blo/ca a try a few years ago, it was a fail for me.

If anyone is have trouble with ca, especially with the fumes, do yourself a favour and try the Bob Smith Industries Super Gold stuff, it's brilliant.
GPW is selling the thick one, but I can't get the hang of using the thick, I am using the thin, which I have got from hoppy shops, it's easier to use than any other ca I have tried, and it has no fumes.

Originally Posted by Ironwood

I am using the thin, which I have got from hoppy shops, it's easier to use than any other ca I have tried, and it has no fumes.

hoppy shops? should that be hobby shops?

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Being a pen judge, I look for a consistent good coating with no "sand throughs"/ridges/scratches/lines/voids/air pockets etc over the entire blank.

Neil, I'll get you to look over some recent pens and get your critique.

Originally Posted by george mavridis

hoppy shops? should that be hobby shops?

Yeah you've got it . Not sure if that was me or spellcheck.