For the pens, the usual finishing wax or whatever
will do nicely. Being smaller, the chance of them splitting is greatly
reduced. BRBR

Don't try turning pens from green wood. Will crack every time as the wood
dries. Must use dry wood. Once wet wood is glued to dry brass it can no longer
move as it dries, but drying stresses will prevail and it will crack.
You can try cutting some pen blanks (3/4 X 3/4 X 5 1/2) and drying them in a
food dehydrator to speed up the process. You can seal the ends with yellow glue
to equalize drying through the end grain. Once dry you can make your pens.
I have found that Deft lacquer thinned about 40 percent with lacquer thinner
makes a nice finish, including cedar.
-Jim Gott-
San Jose, CA