Absolutely agree with the critique. I need to come up with a better method for pressing and aligning threaded caps. My other nitpick with this one is I really should have used a bit of sanding sealer or thin CA to seal the pores before sanding as there is a bit of walnut dust the bled into the maple veneer.Scallops are precise and the colors go well together. The apple is rather plain looking so adding scallops are a great addition to this pen. My only nitpick is I'd like it a little better if the long and short scallops matched up on each barrel.