Thread: Tortoise Scales?

My brother brought me a razor today for trade. At first glance I thought the edges of the dark spots are too sharp.
But then I looked closer and the spots go through, not just surface.
Also, when viewed on an angle, you can see where the pieces of shell come together, little lines on the surface.
The scale material shrank a little and the liner constricted its movement and caused cracks at all the pins.

I think it's tortoise, but am not sure.
Anybody seen any razors with these scales? Have any experience with them?
The metal liner wraps around each scale at the edges. Overall very cool even if imitation tortoise.

Pretty cool! Only one I had like that was black cell. Outback did a great job.

Celluloid, I think?

Dang. Sometimes we see what we want to see.
Keen Kutter had some great scales, some exotic materials too. Usually I'm not into celluloid, but this one would be an exception.
I traded a nice German blade for it. I'll try to get some good pics of the scalloped spine. This is a good one for restore.

Who knows? Keen Kutters could be most anything.

Don't be afraid to seal them! Will make them last!

So after I fix the cracks, what is the best thing to seal them with if they are celluloid?

Originally Posted by sharptonn

Pretty cool! Only one I had like that was black cell. Outback did a great job.

Celluloid, I think?

Yep, black cell.

Well that seems fairly conclusive. If there's a made of black celluloid, then the others would be too.
Looks great Mike!
-Could you determine what the metal is?
- were the pins original?

Not sure, I believe its plated brass. Fairly soft.

Had no pins, upon receiving. Just cracked at the pin holes. A bit if CA and the holy marker, piece of sand paper attached to the end of an eraser, on a #2 pencil

Yea, the demarcation lines of color change is too defined, most real tortoise I have seen are blurred at the transition and fade into the color change. Tortoise shell transitions lines are softened, multicolored and not hard pointed defined lines.

A pin or hot water test will quickly tell you for sure, interesting that they were pinned collarless.

Nice looking, though. Do keep an eye on the razor, faux tortoise is notorious for kicking off.