Making your own handles - why not?

[jake pogg]

Or painting the end with almost anything. Wood glue thinned with water is favored by some. Any can of spray paint you have around will do. Old can of paint for your batroom?

Many,many moons ago,while staying with a good friend in New Hampshire,i noticed that in seasoning sections of apple and other woods for carving he sealed the ends with this odd-looking compound.Turned out that it was a commercial,rosin-based product,that he normally used for grafting in his orchard.
What impressed me was that the stuff was so stout that it not only sealed the end-grain for moisture,but actually mechanically held it from checking...
(At least the more moderately-sized dia. sections...).

 

[cityofthesouth]

I have noticed that the Locust I've been using checks on the outward facing side as well as the ends (presumably the ends - I sealed them and they've been fine) but my billets are 3-4 inches thick and the checking only runs 1/2" deep or so. I dunno what kind of handle you're making but I'm not sure small limbs will work at all. This tree was 20" across or so - if I remember correctly.