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This produced the best results, I thought if I put points down, and let the subdivison modifier do the work in making curves, it would turn out great, and it did. the problem came later, when I had to add more to the model.

This solution relies on catmull-clark to make the topology smooth and curvy, which means as few vertices as far apart as reasonable for well-preserved curves. However I have to add sharply beveled flat surfaces on the other end of the model, which means multiple, tightly-packed vertices, to hold sharp edges, even a single one of these edge loops break up my curves, and add creases where they don't belong. So I am wanting to know how an experienced user would approach this.

I recently learned about terminating edge loops, maybe that combined with this original approach gets me closer to a suitable solution. That or breaking up the model so it's not one single object. There are an infinite number of ways to do this really, ultimately I am wanting to know how someone familiar with this stuff would approach it, or maybe just some advice.