I think you did just fine. I learned the lesson about cheap tools as well. The devil is in the details, and that is what you don't get with cheaper tools.
Maybe a dark marksalot and the point of a edging beveler/burnisher? I ran an ad on next-door for a wood turner. I got a response, and for a contribution to a local charity I got a burnisher turned with a point on it. This is great for those inside spots that need a bit of burnishing.
I like it. I've had customers ask that I put it on the front before. I had mine made by Leatherstampmaker, one of our supporters here. You can get a heating iron for it to do other leathers that dont take an impression well
I like these. I made a very simple one for a timber cruiser that wanted to pack a 30/30. 1" 8/9 oz HO with a 2" pad of 5/6 HO. Not quite what you have, but, thanks for the inspiration!