I find making sticks is a relaxing way to spend anything from a few minutes to few hours. Nothing else to worry about except producing an object that is both pleasing to look at and to feel. They are practical and no two can be the same.
Whittle the rest of the handle and spacer to make a neat joint between the handle and stick. 
Start by cutting the handle shape from a block of wood. The wood needs to be about 25mm thick and sound. For strength I like a close grained wood and I usually have the grain going across the shank of the handle. 
‘Whittle’ the wood to produce a rough, rounded shape but leave the section where the handle attaches to the stick untouched. 
Drill the stick, handle and spacer so that an 8mm piece of threaded bar can be inserted into the holes. 
Ensure that everything will line up nicely by bending the metal rod as necessary and then use a ‘rapid’ epoxy resin to glue all three parts together. 
Sand the handle and spacer (taking care to avoid the stick itself) using finer and finer sanding cloths finishing with a 400 grit paper.
Finally finish off the handle, spacer and stick with something that will protect it; I use ‘Patina’