Absolutely no value in spending time on junk IMO&E. Make a set of handgun grips or something similar and checker them. Working with something you have no intention of using will lead to a lack of attention and care.

Retracing checkering is an entirely different skill set from actually checkering... Start with something like rosewood which will cut beautifully and you will learn what it is supposed to feel like.
art

Mark Begich, Joaquin Jackson, and Heller resistance... Three huge reasons to worry about the NRA.