Best finish for stabilized burl pen blanks

Is it pourous? If so, then I would go with the thick ca glue finish. If not, I think a few coats of 50/50 Behlen's 701/Woodturner's finish followed by carnuba wax would be just fine.

I usually use thin CA, its a good hard finish, or spray on polyurethane.

on burl wood - which is typically unstable - I apply 3 coats of CA glue (after filling any voids or cracks with a quick drying epoxy) - (letting it dry completely between coats) and then burn on several coats of mylands or shellawax friction polish. This has made a very glossy and durable finish for me that seems to last quite well on pens.

I apply a coat or two of Rennaisance Wax to pens made with stabilized blanks. On occasion if there is a void I'll fill it with CA glue before I sand it. I use micromesh sanding pads and sand up to 12,000 grit. That's all I do. I think the hardner in the stabilzed blank is stronger and more durable than CA glue or any other finish. RennaisanceWax is a great finish because it doesn't show fingerprints.

Thank you gentlemen for all the advice, I think I'm going to try the rennaisance wax since it is a stabilized blank. (and thats what I have on hand), Just wanting to make a nice pen for my mom's 60th birthday. Thanks for your help.

Craft Supplies out of Utah has a great friction polish that I use 90% of the time.

I also use CA to fill voids. And also if it is a porous wood or the grain needs filling. (Not much of that on stabilized burl.)

The "secret" I had to learn was that more coats of less finish is far better than fewer coats of thicker finish.

Lee