Do you think it would be wise to just ditch this whole idea of using wood dowels?
Yes....but did he actually use them?...
Yes.
The main objection is the velcro attachment method. And secondarily, not too flimsy, but rather too flexible.
The wood dowels were heat-dried, BLO-sealed and then waxed. They work perfectly. And I have no more concerns. Strength is a non-issue. Similarly sealed wooden rifle stocks are in contact with gun metal for a hundred years without causing corrosion.