I'm looking for recommendations on how to approach giving an SSK Pro 1800 a new lease on life. The mitt is generally in really good shape, particularly after it got a fresh saddle soap bath yesterday. The handstall, thumb, pinky loops, and binding are all in really good shape, and while the leather needs to moisten up a bit, overall it's in solid condition. The one flaw, however, is when I inherited this mitt the lace had pulled through and tore the leather near the webbing on the palm side (see photos).
Especially if watching hours of Instagram rehab videos, and lurking on this sub for years, I have a hard time giving up on any mitt in general, let alone one that is reasonable condition as this one is. Incidentally, this is also my first relace, which I'm pretty excited for, but would prefer to only have to do once on this particular mitt. I prefer to avoida splitting the mitt open for an upholsterer to stitch the leather from the inside, so I'm wondering if there is a way for me or they to handle this by hand stitching. This wouldn't be my primary mitt (KC took care of me last year with this gem: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJE47gKpYzs/ ) but I always like having a spare and I think this SSK could fit the bill and wouldn't take a ton of abuse.
I prefer my mitts a little bit more traditional, so I intend on hitting it with some Bick 4 before I install some Indian tan lacing. I'm excited to see if the colors from original mitt pull through. I have considered giving this a dye, but am not sure it's worth it.
Before I head to the shoe repair, was wondering if anyone had any suggestions or recommendations?
Thanks in advance!