simulating wood grain on pioneering tools

Howdy, Shroomy!
I paint the handle a light "wood" color (usually tan or light brown), then after it dries I slop on some flat black or dark brown and then use a rough rag to wipe most of it off, leaving streaks of the darker color which to me do a good job of representing the wood grain.
Some folks do it the hard way, painting grain on with a fine brush, but the "wipe method" works for me, and it's quick!

cool thank you will try that

I paint the handles just plain ol' yellow acrylic, then follow with a rather thick wash of burnt sienna oil paint. By playing with the wash with a small brush as it dries, you can produce very convincing wood grain. If you zoom my signature, you can sort of see it on the shovel handle.

I paint the handles different shades of wood. Some dark and some a lighter shade. I then rub a small amout of black pastel chalk on the handles to give them a used and dirty look.