stacked leather handles

[mahantango]

I have an  old Western hunting knife that I've been wanting to give a little facelift. It is generally in very good shape, but the leather handle has some scuffs and gouges that I'd like to address. How do you guys work these handles? I'm assuming sand them down and then treat with some kind of sealer. As I recall, when new, these had some kind of lacquer or varnish on them? Thanks for any help.

[milehi101]

I have restored  some old hatchets with stacked leather handles and I just sanded the handle smooth and used 2 coats of West Systems epoxy over the handle and when it cured I sanded it smooth. to finish it I put on a couple coats of UV Varnish to protect the epoxy.  The owners loved them.

[bigbadjon]

If you put a sealer on a leather handle you have defeated the purpose of having one to begin with. Leather handles stay warm and don't get slippery and have been wetted and compressed so they do not rot. You have to polish it to a high sheen by hand. No Western or Marbles knife I have ever seen has had any type of laquer applied.

[mahantango]

Thanks, I'm probably thinking of Estwing hammer and hatchet handles with the varnish finish. What do you use to polish by hand? Progressively finer grit sandpaper?

[bigbadjon]

Yeppers. You might call Mike at Bark River or send him an email. They still make leather handles the original way and I'm sure he can give you exact grits.

[Bazooka Joe]

I use a belt sander 2X72" with a very fine grit. that I use for knife making.  You must be careful of the speed as to not remove too much material.

I recommend using fine sandpaper in 1-1.5" strips and looping it around the handle and doing by hand.

For finish I use a good quality leather finish from Tandy leather.  Tancote works, or a synthetic finish will work as well.  Beeswax heated and buffed in will work.

Rick

[mahantango]

thanks guys