ive made some outa dowel rods and corncobs like you.....but my favorite way is splitting a log and making it out of good seasoned heart wood...and carving out solid strikers with a knife...then finish it up by sanding it......speaking of that.....i better go fishing this week while im off.....thats my favorite time to carve them...sitting on the lake shore waiting for a trout bite.....better sharpen up the knives tonite......