How to treat a new leather sheath & handle?

[Double Ott]

I have wanted an Ontario pilots survival knife for many years. Well I just got it The blade edge is terrible, it appears to have been factory ground with a rock. I'll have to tackle that with my new Spyderco Sharpmaker that arrived with it.

The sheath and the handle of the knife appear to be untreated in any way. I would appreciate any suggestions to treat the sheath and the leather handle.

It would be a plus if the treatment would help give both a warm used look (darkened).

I'm thinking of bees wax (heated & buffed), NeatsFoot oil, a glove conditioner/treatment oil or mink oil.

Any suggestions and how to apply would be appreciated.

Regards, Double Ott

 

[uncouth]

I'm sure that any of the above options would work. I'm sure no matter which method you use lots of rubbing and buffing should help break in the leather giving it a nice worn look.

 

[Unk]

NOT an expert however the worst thing that can happen to leather is to dry out, then crack.

I use Lexol sparingly..it restores leather oils [ or whatever]. I first read about it as being used to restore War Between the States tack. I used on tack until we gave our horses away, still use on leather knife handles.

I have heard that neatsfoot oil has some downsides as to over softening leather. I like saddlesoap, again used sparingly, to clean tack and boots - work up a lather with a damp but not wet sponge, work into the item and wipe off with a clean rag.

Did I say sparingly..believe it is the secret to maintaining leather goods but as my disclaimer said, no expert.

 

[james terrio]

Yes, too much neetsfoot oil is bad. A little goes a long way.

The good news about the lousy edge on your USAF knife is, it's very easy to sharpen any way you like. I've owned three and they all seem to be a hardness roughly equal to warm butter. I think they do that on purpose so the knives can be sharpened on almost anything... of course they also go dull in a stiff breeze.