>> that plastic stuff that you can either dip handles in or brush it on works wonders!
The soft, red goopy stuff that becomes like rubber? I've meant to try that ever since I saw the ad where a nerdy-looking guy with a gleam in his eye is chasing a cat, with a can of the dip-it goo in one hand.
I've thought that I would use urethane on any wood that got TOO cracked and nasty. But for now, mineral oil or "orange oil" furniture polish to soak in, and wax to coat, have worked OK.
I use beeswax where I want a "grippy" handle, and paraffin where my hands need to slide, e.g. a rake.
