Leather washer handle treatment

[Hamon]

Hey folks, sorry to bother you about this question. I tried the search function but it wasn't working for me.

I work in a knife store and a customer brought in a knife for sharpening. It's a SOG of some sort, and it has a leather washer handle. He said he had been sea kayaking with it and the handle is now prematurely aged, which he does not like. He was wondering what kinds of treatments would be best to get it looking and feeling like new again.

I could not give him an answer right away, so I figured I'd come on here and get some expert advice from, well, the experts. So, my question is, what can one use to get a leather washer handle looking like new again?

Thanks a lot for your input.

Travis

 

[Bruce Bump]

I dont think sea water and leather go together very well. I bet it does look bad now. If he sent it here I would just wet a small spot with water to see if it looks good, if so i would saturate it with thin (penetrating) super glue. When it is dry just sand it down and re-apply. Do this until it has consistant coloring. Be sure to wax it as a final coat.

If it is blackened already you may have to sand it down to get some brown color back before applying the glue.

 

[HomeBru]

I've used LeatherMate to recondition what I thought were trashed boots with lots of salt damage. Turned them into really nice boots! Follow the directions for salt REMOVAL (you have to get the salt out!) and the handle should rejuvenate nicely.

Bruce's super-glue trick should work well to seal the leather once it's been brought back.

I get it at TSC or a tack shop.

J-