To tar tool handles, use a small amount of pine tar or tar-oil finish on dry wooden handles, concentrating on weather-exposed areas while keeping the grip comfortable and not sticky.
Tar can suit handles for axes, garden tools, mallets, drawknives, and rough outdoor tools where a dark grippy finish is wanted. It is less suitable for fine indoor tools that need a clean touch. The aim is to protect the wood and add character without making the handle unpleasant to use.
Clean the handle and remove loose dirt, old varnish flakes, and surface grease. Rub in a thin coat with a cloth or brush, then wipe back any excess around the grip. The end grain at the top and bottom of the handle can absorb more finish than the smooth middle, and those ends often need the most protection.
Leave the handle until it no longer transfers tar to the hand. If the grip remains too tacky, it was probably overapplied or used in poor drying conditions. A tool handle benefits from a restrained finish that can be renewed later rather than a thick black coating that interferes with use.