mauser, Soft wood will work as well as Hard wood. I use poplar in my laminated strikers to get the white look in the striker. Some wood just will not turn for me seems it has know back bone to it. Most strikers are smaller then 7/8 ths at the largest point, so there is no need to start with anything any bigger then 1x1 and I use a length of 8-8 1/4 long so 10 would be the best. When turning remember not to turn one end down to fast, this can start a woble in the wood and you will have a off unbalanced striker. Good Luck...BT