I like the shape. It looks very ergonomically (sp?) designed. I hope to be making a couple of these soon....if I can shovel the junk off of my lathe. I bought a couple of cheap HF drivers for a buck apiece and will make a kingwood handle for one and something hard and durable, yet nice looking for the other. It'll probably be lignum vitae (verawood). That'll give the driver some serious heft. I like your nickel idea. I just moved a ton of squares to my basement, from my office, that'll be perfect for it.
Rob