Thread: Does this look like genuine tortoise?

They're advertised as genuine tortoise shell from mid-19th century.
The maker has made other surgical intruments scaled in turtle shell.

There doesn't really look like the mottling has much of a 3D effect, so I'm not sure if it may be horn, but the colour is so dark that it looks as if it could be genuine, as it gets darker over time.

Well im no expert in tortoise identification but this looks to me like streaked horn.

Here a great thread on tortoise shell: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...oiseshell.html

They don't have the typical "blotched" pattern that the dyed horn usually has but I think I can see a grain in the second photo that does not follow the direction of the coloring. Those blades are pretty hosed...

Originally Posted by Splashone

Those blades are pretty hosed...

Maybe and maybe not ........ see this thread by Science Guy, with a razor having the same blade profile. Apparently, if he is correct, they made tapered blade shapes for a period of time. http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ml#post1303442

As for the scales, the thread Martin linked to shows the typical 'bug bites' and delaminating that tortoise gets. I don't see that on those but that doesn't mean they are not the real McCoy. I cannot tell about the scales.

Originally Posted by Martin103

Well im no expert in tortoise identification but this looks to me like streaked horn.

Here a great thread on tortoise shell: http://straightrazorpalace.com/razor...oiseshell.html

I'm actually starting to think they might be horn too. They're very linear, and they look too thick to be tortoise.

These are tortoise for sure if that helps .... ;

Yes, looks like horn to me as well, but could be mistaken. In my experience, tortoiseshell looks much 'cleaner', even when broken or bug bitten - this looks more like a cut of horn.

Originally Posted by Suavio

Yes, looks like horn to me as well, but could be mistaken. In my experience, tortoiseshell looks much 'cleaner', even when broken or bug bitten - this looks more like a cut of horn.

I've seen this pair before, this guy is well misinformed. 180% certain those are streaked horn. Blades are toast, but it is an interesting maker.