Please grade my work

[GRAM]

I am confused and need help. I have turned about 30 pens. My first few were horrible. I watched lots of videos and read lots of articles. The next several were better, but still needed help. I went into my local Woodcraft store and received good turning tips from them. I haven't taken any classes.
Here are the last few pens I have turned. My big question is the little scratches, is that a scratch or the wood grain. It feels completely smooth and was completely smooth when I was done turning.
Please don't hold back on any criticism. This is Cocobolo wood. This is going to be for a PSI executive pen.

 

[KenB259]

To be honest, I don't see any scratches.

 

[GFHWoodWerks]

To be honest, I don't see any scratches.

I was going to say the same thing.

@GRAM what finish are you planning on using?

 

[ed4copies]

Cocobolo intrinsically has voids. You have done a great job of turning, without filling the voids with sanding dust--WELL DONE!!

Try some different woods--woods that will be smooth, generally the darker the wood the more you will see scratches--ziricote, dark walnut or even dark redwood (although this also is porous). In short, look for wood that has less "character" so you can more easily see what your finish looks like.

Most important, keep turning-you are doing GREAT!!

 

[KMCloonan]

I ditto everything said above. Some people prefer to leave some of the wood pores showing, as that is a natural part of the wood. Some parts of your blank that has lines are most likely just the grain. If you use a medium or thick CA glue for your finish, it will likely fill in the pores and smooth out the surface.

As Ed said, you're doing great!

 

[GaryMGg]

Looks goid.

Cocobolo is an open grain wood—this is what you're seeing.
Coco's dust is also potentially harmful—it's toxic to some.
Moreover, it's also a serious sensitizer: some people have a bad reaction immediately and some have none or very little but the more they're exposed to the dust, the worse it gets.

Wear a good mask when turning cocobolo.