I just received a set of English Mortise Chisels I purchased on eBay. One had a very short handle, so I split it open and will be making a new handle for it. I understand the typical woods would be beech, ash, maple etc....woods that would compress to receive the tang.

I'm interested in using maybe purpleheart, African Blackwood or padauk due to aesthetics. I know these are more prone to cracking if the tang is too tight, but if the tang is fit just right, are they likely to split in use?

How do other domestics like cherry or walnut fare?

The rest of the chisels are handled in apple, judging by the red patina on them.