Giving the handles some definition is a good idea, and contemplating what might look good. I've seen folks use various colors, saw one using blue, but that just seemed out of place, even though it contrasted decently. Sometimes basic leather browns are good enough.
Mentioned before that your choice of using an actual flesh color to their skin was better the the light grayish white/even greenish white seen in so many other Iron Golems. I think some folks are so busy trying to look like the GW paint version of these that they're forgetting basic ideas on contrast (even when they are using the "contrast" paints), instead of using their own style and making these figures look good. I also think you darker red than so many of those folks trying to look fancy is working as well.
Perhaps since you used that warmer, if I recall Zandri Dust, as a primer, perhaps a mid tone brown would work nicely on the handles, although a darker than mid tone brown might also work to contrast with the flesh . The idea being to get them to look like leather. Then use a mid tone brown wash that will darken the deeper lines, yet give the brown a deeper look as well.
Anyway, go with your gut. Worse that will happen is that we'll learn something.
