Stacked leather handle, taking off the black

[Blue Sky]

I have an Ontario U.S.M.C. and would like to remove the black from the handle. It looks like a coating, not a dye. Would paint stripper do the job, will it damage the leather? Is there a better way?

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Use a sharp, single cut, mill bastard file. File in one direction only.
When finished, apply clear paste wax.

 

[Blue Sky]

Thanks Bill. Maybe I'll do a little test with sandpaper first, my filing skills might not be quite up to the task. Wouldn't want to leave a lot of little facets or take off too much.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

Go in one direction only.