I prefer to use .021 safety wire. Look on line, Sporty's pilot shop, or Trade A Plane. You shouldn't pay more than $10.00 dollars a roll, and it'll last for a long time. You can find safetywire pliers for about $30.00 a pair at harbor frieght or discount tool supply for what your doing. The proper way to twist safety wire is six to eight turns an inch (twists). To get the gap out of the wire close to the grip, is hard without exceeding 6-8 turns an inch. I'll try to explain it here. After you have twisted the wire, by pulling the twister on the pliers the right amount you will notice there is a gap near the grip, grab the pliers by the handles (not too tight as it will release the wire) at this time the wire and pliers are at a right angle to your work. turn the pliers around as if in a cone shape and just twist the pliers a quarter or half turn of the wrist. Your not making a full loop or turn, your just twisting the pliers in a crescent moon shape with a twist of the wrist. This will take out the gap near the grip. practice on a broom stick handle or something similar. To visualize the action of the last part, the motion of the wire would be like looking down a funnel small end toward the grip and the action of your hand and the pliers would be able to go around the big part of the funnel. I know this sounds a little vague, but it's how the pro's do it. Then cut the end about a quarter of inch, double the end over(to not have an exposed sharp end) and push it into the grip, to hide the cut end. You should not have any sharp edges when you run your hand over the wire. the reason for the 6-8 turns an inch is , if you twist the wire more, you work harden the wire and make it brittle.
I've been an aircraft mechanic for about twelve years and work with safety wire all the time and see co-workers and other friends do it wrong on their bike's all the time. I realize I've probably told you more than you wanted to know, but sometimes, someone will like a difinitive answer. Feel free to e-mail me if you have anymore questions.