One of a Kind: Limited Run Fusion Hybrid Pen Blanks with Stabilized Spalted Tamarind – Made in Canada
Each blank combines stabilized spalted tamarind with resin, creating a bold contrast and one-of-a-kind look. Handcrafted in Guelph, Ontario, every piece is carefully made and inspected to deliver both beauty and performance on the lathe. Limited quantity special edition blanks.
What size are the blanks?
Each blank measures a minimum of 3/4" square by 5" long (19 mm × 19 mm × 127 mm), making them suitable for most standard pen turning projects.
Please note: The blanks shown are representative only. Due to the natural characteristics of wood and the handcrafted process, each blank will vary in colour, grain, and resin pattern. This variation is part of what makes each piece unique. We do not replace blanks damaged during any part of the turning, drilling, or assembly process.
What makes Fusion hybrid blanks special?
Fusion blanks bring together two very different materials — natural wood and resin — into a single turning blank. The organic figure of the wood contrasts with the colour and clarity of the resin, resulting in a finished pen with depth, movement, and strong visual impact. No two blanks are ever the same.
What does spalted mean?
Spalting is the natural colouration and patterning that develops in wood through fungal activity. It can create dark lines, streaks and areas of contrasting colour that give spalted wood its distinctive appearance.
Because spalting is a natural process, the patterns, colours and amount of spalting will vary considerably from blank to blank.
Two fun facts about Tamarind:
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Tamarind has an unusually long history as a food ingredient. Its sweet-and-sour fruit pulp is used around the world in everything from chutneys and curries to candies and drinks — and it's also one of the distinctive ingredients traditionally used in Worcestershire sauce.
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Its name is actually a geographical mix-up. “Tamarind” comes from the Arabic tamr hindi, meaning “date of India.” Despite the name, the tree is believed to have originated in tropical Africa before spreading widely through India and other tropical regions.
How should I turn and finish these blanks?
For best results, use sharp tools and take light cuts to reduce the risk of chipping, especially at the transition between wood and resin. After turning, sand through your normal grits. If using Micro Mesh, wet sand to avoid scratching the resin. Finish as you would a wood blank, and complete the process with a plastic polish such as Novus or One-Step for a high-gloss result. The GluBoost finishing system or friction polishes such as Doctor's Wood Shop, Mylands, Aussie Oil or Shellawax can also be used.
Helpful turning tips:
- Use sharp tools such as a round carbide cutter for clean cuts
- Take light passes, especially near the resin sections
- Fully coat the pen tube with glue before insertion
- Paint the brass tube and inside of the drilled hole (enamel paint recommended) to prevent show-through
- Small natural voids may occur — fill with thicker cyanoacrylate glue as needed
Price per blank in Canadian dollars.
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