Road Cycling - carbon handlebars vs carbon fork

My quandary: I need to buy wider handlebars than the stock ones on my bike, a Bianchi Campione (2000 model). I have been considering getting some carbon handlebars (kestrel pro) to reduce shock to my hands and lighten up a bit. They are about $130. I'm on a budget, so I want to get the best bang for my buck. I have noticed several carbon forks for around 80 or 90 dollars, and have seen several good aluminum handlebars for around $40. So, I'm wondering what would make more overall difference: a new carbon handlebar vs a new aluminum handlebar and cheap carbon fork. Would a carbon fork also reduce hand fatigue? Any ideas?

carbon handlebars don't exist to dampen vibration - they are primarily for reducing weight wtihout compromising strength.

A light weight carbon handlebar is much stronger than alum or steel bars of the same weight.

A good fork might help, but carbon's "dampening" characteristics is over-rated.. composite seatposts are another example of it.

i would suggest getting thicker bartape, or thicker gloves to help out your paws. i'm not sure what's on your bike now, but a good, lightweight steel fork would probably work better than carbon for easing the shock to your hands. you can generally pick up a nice used fork at the LBS pretty cheaply if your bike doesn't have one already. but really, i would just get aluminum bars in the size you need and try thicker tape, or gloves.

if you find your hands are just getting tired, or your wrists are getting fatigued, you could try playing with your seat position/height and your stem height/bar position...find a way to keep more weight off your hands.