Lightening Stacked Leather Handles?

[NothingCoherent]

I've got a Ka-Bar with the typical leather handle, but the material has gotten very dark over the last few months. Aesthetically, I prefer a light coloured leather. Is there any way for me to lighten the colour up? Would bleach do anything?

The knife handle used to be about the same colour as the sheath. As you can see, it's gotten much darker. Also, sorry for the terrible picture quality, it's from a webcam. And before anyone asks - paint stripper and sand paper.

Ideas?

 

[Bob W]

It's gotten dark from being used. The oil and dirt is likely deep into the leather, and any effort to remove it or lighten the color will result in damage to the leather. Maybe some saddle soap with a toothbrush would remove some of the dark stained oil, but when you use the knife again it'll be right back.

Want to keep the leather light-colored, don't use the knife.

 

[din]

I generally just smear some white out on it. works like a charm.

 

[Tostig]

Any chemicals you use to try an lighten it will probably also dry out the leather in the long run.

Just some food for thought

Tostig

 

[Bobby Craig]

11111

 

[OldKnife007]

When I took apart this Ontario Mark 2 knife to add a d-guard, I lightened the handle my own way: Using a 1" belt grinder (bench type), I rolled knife in my hands, as I held it to the belt, removing the very dark finish. I like the look of the dark in the grooves.

Don't get all bent out of shape about treating the leather. Use a little tan leather dye, or just Tandy leather sealer, and then apply shoe polish. Buff it well with a shoe brush. Give it a spit shine. KiWi was good enough to protect generations of American soldier's boots.. it will do on your knife handle.