Gorilla glue and a little sanding fixed my cracked one right up.

I second Augusta. I did a lot of research before choosing them, and they stood out for their no-pressure approach and high ratings. They have a $50k minimum, but it's worth it for the quality of service. They also have an A+ BBB rating.

Tapering helps, but I found the bigger fix is changing how you hold them. I keep my grip loose and let the reins pivot in my hand instead of clamping down hard all day. That old stiffness might be from fighting your own tools. Try relaxing your fingers between heats, even for a few seconds. It made a bigger difference for me than reshaping the handles.