Leather washer handle restoration/fix?

[Jester60]

I recently bought a used Estwing hatchet with leather washer handle. All the washers are there and are in pretty good shape but it looks as if there was some sort of (plastic) coating over the washers and it's pealing off leaving them exposed.

What can I do to protect the washers? I was thinking remove the rest of the plastic from the handle and basically soak it down in saddle soap.

 

[David Martin]

Mine peels that off too. I'd soak or rub it down with a lighter penetrating oil like Neats Foot oil or Mink Oil. Thus, causing the leather disc to swell creating a tighter, preserving, weather resistant fit. Those are good hatchets. DM

 

[Alberta Ed]

Neats Foot and Mink Oil tend to soften the leather. I'd suggest SnowSeal.

 

[Jester60]

Thank you for the ideas!!

Jester

 

[Bo T]

You might try sanding it lightly then spraying with some exterior urethane.