Thanks for the kind words!!
Getting him to use a straight won't happen. he was present when I had a 7 stich accident.
The sweetgum pods are the weak point so I don't think thy will make good scales without a liner of some sort. I think brass would look off with it maybe some G10 I have a pen blank that I could rip down but it is a bit short at 5". I am not pouring my own resin so making one longer is a no go. but I might have a small razor that 5" may work on.