Refinishing wood handles

[Pat-SoCal]

I have a 22" kettle from 1981. It's in good condition, but the wood handles are weathered. The varnish/coating is gone, and they have bits of grease smeared on them.
I was thinking of cleaning them with denatured alcohol to remove the grease & leftover coating, touching them up with some high-grit sandpaper (the handles have lettering), then giving them a clear coat of something.
Any suggestions on clear coat material? Varnish, urethane, ... ?

 

[Jon Tofte]

Spar urethane is your best bet. McCloskey Man O War is really good, but there are others. Do not use polyurethane for outside applications.

 

[Greg in Utah]

I’ve used linseed Oil on mine. Easy to apply more as needed.

 

[George Curtis]

Lightly sand mine and then use spar urethane. They stay in good shape for a long time. And if it gets a bit weathered, just sand and spray again.