HuntAway
IMO only... Laminates (woods) are less expensive than quality clear walnut.... the glues they use nowdays will hold up.... especially if you seal the wood up with a good finish. Theoretically laminates are stonger than the pure wood and I guess I think they are.
Walnut blanks are 1/2 the price of the laminates as well. I could order two in case I screw the first one up.
I did not think that a walnut blanks would be less expensive...
Tough decision - glad you have to make it and not me...