I have inherited an old Western Knife, and I'm thinking about cleaning it up a little bit and wondering if anyone has restored a stacked leather handle before. I was also wondering if anyone can help me figure out how old it is.

Could you post pictures?

It has "western boulder colo usa" stamped on the tang.
I read that they quit stamping boulder colo around 1961. I didn't know if there was another definitive way to date it.

I am no expert so hopefully Karl will chime in. From my experience a knife in that condition will need a belt. The tip is broken off, and the level of rust is to point I don't think you could manually do it. I don't have a professional bench model, but my works belt sharpener has worked well for reprofiling the edge and tip. If you don't have a bench grinder with a heavy buffing wheel you can purchase them for a drill. I have brought some knives back from the dead with time and effort.

I have zero experience rehabbing these things.
I do know the most important thing to verify is to see if the leather washers are all still tight.
As they age they can shrink if they have not been properly treated.
They need regular mineral oil applications to keep them full-sized.
Take some 220-ish sand paper and lightly smooth the surface of the leather. Then to 400. If you sand too much you will make them smaller than the fittings on each end. Then coat with mineral oil.
Try different grades of Scotch Brite on the remainder of the knife.

Thanks guys! I'll post the after photos .