Making simple strikers

[g8rvet]

Found some 5/16 hardwood dowels for a very good price.  Going to make some 2 piece striker by drilling and inserting into a large dowel of different species.  I have enough wood projects going I did not want another hobby.  I bought a few different species of wood and am gonna give it a try.  Not going to be fancy, but we will see how they sound.  If they sound nice I will give them to friends and family as backups if they lose theirs.

How do I finish them?  I was looking in my shop and I have some teak oil.  Also have Waterlox, but that takes a while between coats.   Not trying to make them pretty, just if one accidentally sounds good, I want it to last. 

Can I stain them and then use a spray poly? (just to darken the wood?).  Do  I leave it unfinished the last 1/2" or so?