Thread: JA Henckels Restore -- Need Advice

I am going to restore this JA Henckels SR. The scales are wood.
Scales are loose, but could be tightened easily. There is a tiny crack on one scale at one end. I feel the scales are salvageable. The blade is in good shape...a bit of hone wear but in good shape otherwise.

My questions are: Do I sand the scales and paint red as the original? (I don't know if these were the original scales or if they were replaced at some time in the past). Do I sand the scales and just use some type of wood oil to bring out the qualities of the wood and grain? Or do I scrap the scales and put on new scales. (I have new horn scales that would fit nicely.) Any thoughts or ideas would be welcomed.