@theluthier Thank you!
Yes, the process of katana making is quite fascinating.
As for the randomizing go,my problem is that, when increased, it would separate the leather strips enough to get the hande part beneath it being visible. And as I already applied the array to randomize, it’s a little complicated to go back. However, on the good advice of @smurfmier1985 , I kept a copy of the fabric part before applying array in an other collection. I may give it a go.
But I have to catch up and watch the chapter 2 of the chest tutorial before tomorrow course also!