Thinking there are probably about 20 hoops to jump through to import snake skin into the states? But don't let that stop ya from whackin' every one of 'em ya see!!!!
The PITA...just grain structure, absolutely nothing that can be done about it until it's on the lathe(glued/epoxied to the tube). I fired up the lathe, ran the 1/2" gouge across the belt sander(fresh edge), started knocking off the edges and BAM!!! grain blowout!!! I've had this happen to many types of wood, and I don't know what causes it....but I've learned the 'repair'. And you'd be hard pressed to see where I put it back together(most people never know it came apart).
Haven't had the chance to turn anything else yet....wanting to get your stuff out of the way first.(I'm funny like that)
Did have a wood sale during the turning of the first one, local fella came by....think he wanted your blanks. Told him they were spoken for, so he started digging into the spalted pile.
Scott (sweat running in your crack is a PITA) B