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id say the same here, look into getting some modelling tubes and see also if you can pin it into the hand for extra strength.
Also, to keep the top part of the shaft, cut off about 5mm down of the bar and shave it down a bit and see if you can insert it into the rod you buy.
for extra banners, try looking into other armies that may carry similar style of simple flowing banners if you want to give some more variance.