Ontario 499 Pilot/Leather handle help?

[JBK2596]

I have recentaly goten a ontario pilot and it has the classic stacked leather washers, i know a lot of people dont like them but i thought id give em a try.
so to get to the point, how do you clean them? if i were to get them soked what would i do, just let it air dry?
I also heard on another thead that every once in a while you should use leather lotion(i think thats what its called) if thats not i guess just leather softener is what i mean, but so keep the leather from cracking.
if you have any other tips please tell me, and if you have experiance with this knife of other stacked leather handels like the classic ka-bars for example, please give me some tips.

Thanks,

 

[jimh0220]

Sand them until you have fresh leather showing. Now you can finish / treat the leather and it should last a LONG time to come.

 

[james terrio]

Jim's idea will work. Some people put a few coats of CA (super-glue) on them to protect the leather but then you lose the comfy feel. Mink oil, leather conditioner or similar should work fairly well, it will just have to be touched up from time to time like a good pair of boots.