There are special gloves to prevent cuts to the hands when carving small items like this nut.
[amazon.com]

Power carving of the tagua is much easier, although the dust is really annoying. I don't have a "dust collector". However, my skill with power carvers (which I do own) is not nearly as developed as my knife/chisel skill so I do most of the carving with hand tools then when needing a polished finish will use the power tools to sand and polish.
I've not been carving nearly as much in the last few years, in part because arthritis and nerve issues (rather like carpal tunnel) has made it hard for me to work for very long. I should look at working on more power carving as it would reduce some of the strain. I do a lot of other art/craft things but carving is my first love. If you have the aptitude and interest for it, you should definitely get back to it.

It is harder than most wood I've carved. I think the Osage Orange wood might have been harder. Sanding, very fine sanding grit and the fact it is so hard makes it polish like that. I've done the same swan design in a wooden egg, had to apply a lacquer to get a similar sheen.