I'm sure you have dirt all around you. Nothing like paying for something that's not going to work and is free, minus the work you have to put in to dig it up. Find soil that has about a 60% moisture content. Something that will clump in your hand. Find a dry river bed or lake, and dig a few inches down. Magical isn't it? The problem comes with keeping that moisture content in captivity. Too little, and it won't hold a burrow, too much and you'll make mud.........
It shouldn't stink either, it should smell like clean soil.......
^^^ This. That's what to look for. But if you can't find/dig any, or you're worried about pollutants etc. mixing sand and topsoil will work.
As for the handling, I think you're on the right track. The trick is to not go chasing him around the viv, stick your hand in and do what you have to do in there, and eventually he should get pretty comfortable.
