Parnell, cool to hear you chase a ring first. I was always told you dont need to if you build up enough sinew. But i still do it also.
Now once you have it down to one growth ring do you prefer to etch the back with a hack saw blade or something? Ive been doing this, but at the same i think thats almost kinda semi-violating the entire ring, but at least its even down the entire back.