Woods For 'Hawk Handles??

[shappa]

I know that hickory and osage orange are used a lot for 'hawk handles...but what exotic woods would also work? It's gotta stand up to impact but still be beautiful and unusual but not freakish.
I'm thinking cocobolo, zebra wood,... maybe stabilizing would help.
Any thoughts, opinions, insites or experiences wanted!

 

[Reg ELLERY]

Gimlet is a good strong timber from the Australian semi arid areas. very strong not particularly spectacular. however some comes with a nice wave in it if it is sawn in the right part of the tree. Pretty much a light brown fine grain.

The others you mentioned would also look fine.