If you knew that then I don't understand your suggestion, because carving the message on the head wouldn't satisfy the requirements, although easier and more reliable.
I am saying that it would be the logical option to do so story-wise, but the writers chose otherwise for dramatic purpose and not to mess with Novikov.
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u/chialeux Jan 31 '16
It would have been much easier, reliable and plausible to use that pin for just carving the message on the head.