I am also a fan of Sam Maloof finishes. But not necessarily on pens. Maloof's finish along with the Danish oils and dryers will work great in certain contexts.
Recognize that these finishes that allow the feel of real wood are made for woods that are not handled in the same way that pens are. The hand pressure on pens in specific spots, often done with sweaty palms and fingers are different than the way most furniture pieces are handled. Therefore - regular light touch cleaning is necessary, or it will look like a kitchen cabinet handle after a couple of years of use. High End Pens with this finish will look and feel great, but do need different and consistent care than CA/Lacquer finished pens do. High End pens owners in general will care about the finish of their pens and clean it regularly.
These finishes also require more time to cure - something most pen turners try to avoid. Patience will reward those who allow proper curing times with such finishes. Even with dryers added to the finish. 24 - 48 hours or even a week later after applying the last finish layer will reward you. Japanese lacquer (urushi) commonly takes a month for proper finish and curing.