Restoring stacked leather handles

[Marcelo Cantu]

I have a pilot survival knife that is about 30 years old. It belonged to a good friend of mine and was his issue knife while he flew air cavalry in Vietnam. He gave it to me when he moved away and it has sentimental value. It is however not in the best of shape. The stacked leather handle seems to have dried up and has contracted, making the guard wobbly. Is there any special oil I can soak it in to help restore it (and the sheath as well)? Thanks.

 

[cpirtle]

You could try soaking it in neatsfoot oil and see what happens but I would hate for you to mess it up on my suggestion.

I would probably take it to a leather store (like a Tandy Leather) or a shoe reair shop and ask them. Sounds like the leather could be rehydrated.

I suppose if it's dry rotting you won't have much luck though.

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

I checked out a bottle of that today I may try that. How would boiled linseed oil do? Or is that only for wood

 

[ArchAngel]

Boiled linseed oil will work fine also. It is even better if you thin the first few coats with acetone, so it will penetrate deeper into the leather.

 

[Marcelo Cantu]

Thanks very much fellas!