[Chuck Burrows]

I'd try using a sixteen penny sinker nail as used by carpenters - the ones with the points of the head - file to shape if need be and only randomize the stamping enough to avoid "rows"

I've used a bunch of these over the years as backgrounders - usually use some 1/4" solid brass rod with the correct size hole in them to set the shortened nail in as a handle.

I'd offer an example but I never though to use them for checkering only as an overlapping backgrounder.

If that doesn't work I wouldn't cut the lines, just emboss them since cutting the lines would be just too close together and would leave a bunch of hanging chads!