Hi folks. I'm building a mahogany ship's wheel per the plans in our Generous Sponsor's book "25 Woodworking Projects for Small and Large Boats". The finishing details call for two bands of holly/ebony/holly strips to be inlaid into the outer faces. The thickness of the three strips combined is 1/4". I've located some ebony that I can cut to size (I can't find any holly at all), but the book gives the impression that these woods may be available already cut as “strings”.
My questions are:
Any source of wood cut into string sizes for use as inlay?
What is the usual method of cutting wood to this small size? A table saw seems like a sledgehammer approach.
Any source for a small quantity of holly or a recommendation for a more available species with a light color and tight grain.

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