I have no access to any online image storage web site. I'll do my best to describe the leather handle.

Handle is composed of many chocolate leather slices compressed. Slices are identical dimensioned and finished to emulate a solid one-piece handle.

The owner says he has cleaned the knife by putting it in a dishwasher and run the cycle. He has also hand washed the knife in his kitchen sink using commercial dish detergents.

Present condition of the leather is a rough, fuzzy exterior with some of the leather slices fraying. Leather exterior appears to have white-ish particles embedded. I think this is undissolved detergent.

Overall condition of the handle is not bad. Handle's gross dimensions appear pretty much okay. The remainder of the knife - blade, hilt, overall integrity - is very good.
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As specifically as you can, please describe what to do to restore the handle to as close to when it was made as is possible. Also, how damaged will handles be after restoration? Would it be better to ask the maker to replace the handle? That would be expensive.

I would make this inquiry on Bladeforums.com. Thereare many knife makers, repairers and modifiers there who might be able to fix the knife at a price you can afford. You might also find advice on how to make the repair yourself.

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Not in jail.

If it were mine I would "Bone" the leather handle as a single unit. Boning is using a smooth tool and rapidly moving it back and forth, kind of like burnishing. A commercial operation would probally use a buffing wheel, to smooth the fuzz not remove it.

Ivan

Chocolate leather slices?

Sounds... tasty... and chewy, too.

Depending on how deep the damage goes (pix would help), you might repeat the final finishing steps done in making the handle.
The leather handle is shaped with successive grinding belts, ending with 180 or so. Using a 180 belt will remove the "fuzz" and smooth the surface. It will also grind the metal at the end of the leather handle. If there is not enough undamaged leather to get a smooth surface, the handle must be replaced.
For final smoothing, dip the handle once in water and carefully obtain a final smooth finish with the 180 belt.
Seal the smooth leather by melting beeswax into the leather.
Use a buffing wheel to restore the shine to the metal parts.

making leather knife handle - Bing video
Good luck!

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Science plus Art

You need a product called Leather Rejuvenator for Damaged Leather .
This product and and a few others used to restore the natural oils and finish removed by dishwasher and detergents is sold by Preservation Solutions , they sell products for wood and leather . Just do a search .
Leather Rejuvenator is formulated to restore the leather but it will not look like brand new only a rehandle by the maker would do this .

I wish you could post some photo's of the handle , some handles can be restored...others are just too far gone . A good look would tell .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

+1 on Bladeforums been a member there since 2002. But, they will need pics for any really informed answer.

Rob

My first thought was rub in some Neatsfoot Oil.
Also would like to see a picture.
Not anxious to recommend you remove any leather.
Some leather washer handles are much better then others.
Generally, the better commercial knives like Marble, Western, etc tend to be tighter and harder than the military knives.

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NRA LIFE MEMBER