Baz is right - it's the wood you choose that counts, but so much nicer than a chunk of lifeless aluminium.
Hazel is too flimsy and rots pretty quickly. Buckthorn is good - heavy and very strong. As Baz, says, holly is really strong. Briar, if you can find the right bit, is also good.
Stop the end splitting by shaving it down to accept a short piece of 22mm copper plumbing pipe, or you can buy brass end ferrules.
The most important bit is the loop of cord at the handle to stop you dropping it in.