As you've found, a problem with making/buying something really nice is the almost insurmountable hesitance to use it ! LOL
You’re abdo-lutely right! It came out so nice, that I’m afraid to put a scratch on it! It’s a showpiece, as demonstrated by what I was offered for it. I took it to the show just to elicit opinions on it, and was stunned by the offers! I carved the handle first with my Dremel. You can grip it well blade up, blade down, or blade to either side. It came out wonderfully, and strictly by chance,,, well,,,, chance,, and a lot of thought!
And it’s like my custom-colored ‘57 Strat,,, it never left the house except for studio work, which I have retired from.