I use a FD Polar # 5. I usually cut them out of Mahogany. Definitely not as hard as Cherry, so a #7 for the Cherry is what I would use. For pins, I use 7/8” thick wood or there about. I center the front view pattern on the thin face of the blank and the profile view of the pattern on the wide side. When you cut the reindeer out, you will be left with two blanks for the pins. Using a disk sander, sand off the contours to flatten them. Then glue on a pin back and spray on a finish. Noe you have three products for the price of one!