My first pens in over 10 years

This was my first ever attempt at a "Cigar" pen. It's been about 10 years since I've turned anything and it shows. I really shouldn't be showing these at all but I hope you will all give me a few pointers to get better.
I bought these at two different stores. The gold one on the left I bought from "Woodcraft" and the titanium one on the right I bought from "Rockler". They appear to be exactly the same except for the finish. I screwed up the titanium one by trying to cut it down too fast and misshaped the bottom barrel. Also I HAVE to get myself one of those barrel trimmers to get the ends square. These were done with Granidillo wood and finished with "Shellawax Cream" that I have had in a cabinet out in the garage for about 10 years....still good. I'm not very proud of these but thought I would post however they turned out...I MUST GET BETTER.


Tom

Well...I swear I added the photo...but here it is again

Tom

Well Tom, either you're a master at trick photography and hid the mistakes well, or the pens aren't nearly as bad-looking as you made them out to be in your description. I think they look pretty nice in the picture. Looking forward to seeing more.

Only you can really judge whether they are what you wanted them to be. From here, however, they look just fine.

Nice work Tom!!! Sorry no one mentioned a barrel trimmer before...I'm sure there are other opinions, but needing to put out an order for 175 rollerballs by September, a trimmer is essential. I use an electric drill which will cause a problem with some, but if you can use a "big daddy" drill, get on it! Pens are cool!! and just as much an art form as a hollowform or peppermill. Pens Rock!!

Tom turners are their own worst critics. Those pens look mighty fine to me. Well done.

I think they look very nice.. If you don't want them -- Please send them to me and I will tell everyone I turned them..

Pens are looking fine. The shadows in the photo threw me at first.
Generally, I much prefer gold hardware but, methinks the silver color better compliments the wood in this case.

Tom they look good from here! Hey if they all looked the same, same dimensions, same finish, same color combo's, hmmmmmmmmmmmm wouldn't that be the same as mass produced pens???!!!
All of the little "kinks" you see or feel, that makes that pen a handmade item. I bought I think from Woodturningz.com a barrel trimmer set. Uses the same trimmer but different barrel sizes are included for you to put the trimmer on. Very useful when doing many different pen/turning projects.
Oh, again, those pens, !!!

Good work Tom, the pens look fine, and you will get back into the groove with every one you do

I think the pens look fine. For what it's worth, I prefer the one on the left, but that is just a personal thought. I would be happy with either one.

They look very nice to me Tom, don't be to hard on yourself.

Hey thanks guys. Yea...I tend to be tough on myself all the time. I always want to get better at everything I do. I need to order some more kits from somewhere. I would like to make a couple of really nice pens for my father and father-in law for fathers day. So I need to get something ordered right away. Thanks for all the nice comments.

Tom