And they have bamboo too. Not exactly what I was thinking, but for someone that might not have the tools to do it otherwise this is a great option. I was actually thinking of having a long enough sheet that you could make several wraps so that you could get some decent thickness to it. This might be the perfect way.
Make several wraps around a machined hilt or an MHS part putting wood glue between each layer, then then tightly secure it while it dries. I would use tie wraps, strong rubber bands, string tied tightly, velcro straps or tape. When it's dry sand down the seam to be flush and you have a nice wood hilt.
This is a great option.