>>1764229Cord would work too. Turks head knots are tough but it'd look nice and be real grippy even when wet. See pic for fishing rod handles as an example.
Shellac over cotton was what they used in the old days. You'd do one half strength watery layer of shellac to penetrate the tape through to the bars, then a topcoat for durability which could even be dyed if you felt cheeky.
