I find it is better to cut it long. I peen the first side in a Jacobs chuck. I develop a nice peen, pretty much the size you are going for. Make sure to have the collar installed on this side, or the pin can bulge and you wont get it on. If you just lightly peen you do not need a collar yet.

Then put it in the razor with the collars and file the other side down leaving it a little long. As you peen you can adjust the size if the peen is too large or the pin too long, (file the head ) the peens will not come together.

Once you have a peen on both sides you can alternate sides to even the pins up. A divot in your anvil helps to hold the razor in place.

I buff the pins smooth and round on the buffer with Green Stainless compound, so if I nick the scale it will buff out. Pin the wedge side first, I leave the wedge long and trim when pinned tight with a file or sander, then buff smooth. This way you get a super tight seamless wedge fit.

Once you have a peen on both sides of the wedge side I wedge a rubber eraser between the scales to hold them in the proper angle, otherwise they flop down and get in the way.

Have taught a few guys to pin with popsicle sticks. Pint 3 sticks, the middle acts as the blade. Sticks are unforgiving and will crack if you miss or peen too tight.

It really is much easier than it looks.

Make a post if you need help. A polished ball on you hammer helps as does doming and polishing your hammer face. A Dremel drum and sand paper will make quick work of it.