I measured out the quick hand-cut prototype I made the other day, made some needed adjustments to it, and went in to the laser shop today to make more polished prototypes of this thing.

The one on the right is what I think I'll go for for commissions. It's made of 2 pieces of leather sewn back-to-back (so both sides look equally nice), with a couple bits of leather in between to give it a bit more thickness and shape. I can stain it in any color of leather stains I have, or it could be painted with acrylics. (Here it's stained with a silver leather stain.)

At left is a 1/4" birch plywood one. Wood was actually the first material I considered a while ago when I was first thinking about, but I don't think it is quite ideal. First, since it's harder, it has more of a chance of hurting you or your surroundings when it swings around. Second, I think it's more likely to get chipped or damaged by hitting things. Or, at least, it would show wear and tear worse.

I think I'm pretty happy with how this is looking. I'm going to retrofit my personal tail to fit these and get some photos of that, and also the next commission on my queue should have one. And, since I'm making these myself, I should be able to make them in just about any shape. (I mention that since someone has already asked about diamond-shaped ones.)