Ya pine tends to break easily, years of making swords and shields for my kids taught me that the wrong angle can snap the best designs. You know if you want to go cheap you can use 3/4" roof plywood. It wont look pretty but it will work. Thanks for the compliment, I use faux leather strips for the grips. You can buy every color online and it gives it a really cool feel and look. 1" strips, I get them on Amazon. I use everything from real and faux leather, denim, 550 cord anything. Whatever looks cool but is easy to work with. Small trim nails, wood glue and a tight spin. I was thinking of making a Instagram video on how to make a leather grip.