simulating wood grain on pioneering tools

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.

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.

cool thank you will try that

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!