maxred, you said
"1/2 clicks were applied on take off, and never re set, therefore landings were generally conducted with 1/2 clicks on."
Crosswind or not, that's dangerous! A potential killer, in fact.
Also, see the above comment about the Chippy pilot's notes. A very valid point!
Use the left hand for the brake. When operating the brake lever in the (vanishingly rare) event of needing differential brake when full rudder is not enough, you are in the latter part of the roll-out, throttle shut, and can use your left (throttle) hand; RH is keeping the stick hard back of course.
What's wrong with the dH design? It works beautifully, all the way from 'brakes always on' (for when parked) to zero brake (any other time apart from taxy). No heavy brake pedals and mechanism on the rudder bar (as you have with toe brakes) makes it delightfully light to operate. And heel brakes get in the way for aeros!