I love mine (of course I did a modified wrapping on the upper handle).
Then I had to buy one for my neighbor because he loved it.
Plus I get compliments for it all the time. It’s definitely worth the money. Especially during the winter.
What did you wrap it with? I’ll definitely use something since I’m sure if wet without gloves it might slip.
I used what’s called parachute cord or 550 cord. I pick some up at my Dollar tree. You can also use leather chord. I put down some double-sided carpet tape first, to adhere it to.
This is what mine looks like finished.
For that wise wizard vibe you’ve been looking to portray. 
Just luv these. I will b decorating our handkes with leather and feathers 
Paracord. Of course! Other than the tape did you wrap anything underneath the cords to effect the bulge in the grip? Or just more turns of the cord?
Oh yeah I almost forgot. I put that kind of rubbery ace wrap that sticks to itself, so it also added a little bit of cushion. Hence the bulge.
The rest of the decoration comes from really thin braided cordage that I wrapped around the top, with the carpet tape underneath. I didn’t like the leather lanyard that came with it, so I pulled that out and filled the holes with the “Trinity” symbol earrings. A little glue to keep those in place and a little black paint band just around it.