The Aesthetic series batons, regardless of color variation, are made of several layers of birch wood laminated together under intense pressure. Due to the nature of these woods, there is a fairly narrow band or lengths and balance points that will work with each handle. We will contact you if we need to tweak your order. This model was developed with Maestro Floyd to accommodate his behind the collar grip with the balance point under the index finger. The "flat-spot" is for the thumb to rest. The flat-spot also allows for the baton to become an extension of the thumb. There is a slight concave for the middle and ring fingers to rest as well. Daniel's grip is modeled after that of the great Sir Adrian Boult and the amazing Carols Kleiber. This was our #1 selling baton in 2013 and has inspired a whole series of models with a flat spot which have dominated our sales.