re: BLO

Dick, there was a time when my #1 finish  was 1/3 each of BLO, MS, and Poly. It could be brushed, wiped, or sprayed, and like Nathan said it was a build up of several light coats. You could pretty easily get 3 coats a day on, and after 3, it could survive some pretty rough handling. I would apply 2 coats, then knock down the nubs/nibs, whatever those raised up bumps are called. Then wiped it off with an almost dry rag with MS, to get rid of residual dust. Then applied the 3rd coat. Most times I didn't go further. Almost bulletproof finish, could easily take the handling you would expect on a pen.

Typing this, and thinking about all the different places it is on things around the house, a lot of them. All of them are wearing well, especially the shelves in the pantry, and those take a serious beating daily. Plus using it on them is the first time whatever finish I used DIDN't cause heavier cans to stick to the shelf. Dries fast, dries hard, and takes a beating real well.

I'm pretty sure I would still be using it today, but I quit science, and now just buy a can of Arm R Seal, and I believe it's just about the same stuff. 

On the wrong coast I believe Sam Maloof used up his Blo mixed with Tung oil, and wax on a 1/3's basis. 

BTW, those guns are pretty cool looking, just not sure how you hold it to write? I bet in Ohio they would fly off the shelf at a sale.