Thread: I should have known RAD would kick in... Frederick Reynolds Sheffield - oh boy...

I had NO idea that RAD was as bad as all my other 'ADs.. I should have known I would do this like I do every.....single....other....thing I get into.
Japanese Chef knives? Check
Japanese Whetstones Sunthetic AND Natural? Check
Belgian Coticules? Check
Guitars? Check
Amps? Check
Owning THEN BUILDING my own guitar pedals? Check...
Blacksmithing and forging so I can make even MORE knives? Check Check Check..

Anyway, enough of my compulsive history and literal "top" of my hobby lists... I was doing the usual thing I do when I get into something... Surfing eBay, Etsy, forums, basically any place that will feed me info and pic porn of the items (lol)..... Then I saw this.... I didn't even wait to do much checking, I literally purchased on instinct due to assuming it was a good deal and not caring... I got this relatively cheap... I think...
Thoughts?

Freddie rattler is always a good one if they're not honed out or otherwise trashed. Looks in good enough condition. No cracks or chips I can see. A little pitting but looks to be mostly on the surface. Not too much hone wear either. Should clean up well enough.
Mike (Outback) is the Freddie guy. I'm sure he'll be by to post some thoughts.

I'll just post this since I know he'll be by.

"Hey Mike, you think that's real tortoise? Look how dark it is up by the pivot on the one side."

I don't think I've ever seen one of those that isn't dyed horn faux tortoise but you never know.

To the OP: the way to tell is that with dyed horn the spots are just on the surface. With real tortoise shell the spots go through the scale.

So the listing had it listed as real tortoise, but I had my doubts as I had searched and saw a majority of them were dyed horn. Giving that, and then the little bit of pitting I saw, I made an offer in line with others I saw in that range and snapped her up for $50.. Hoping I didn't get hosed with that price, but if I am being honest, even if I got a little hurt, I am not too upset because I liked it enough.
Another note, it's supposedly dated at 1890, would this in fact potentially be correct? I kind of take that with a grain of salt until I verify myself.

Thanks! I can't wait to try it with my Torrey and Geneva!

Nah, earlier than 1890, probabably by 20-30 years, maybe more.
Most likely it's dyed horn, since tortoise is really pretty rare, but it could be.
If it was done well faux and real tortoise is kind of hard to tell apart. But the main thing is that the dye will fade. Whereas the dark spots in the tortoise shell get even darker plus they have a tendency to spread.

Oh wow, that's really cool! I liked the look of it, but honestly I was more attracted to the age.. Something about holding something that old in my hands and just wondering about it's history, where it's been before now kind of thing really gets my brain thinking. I love this stuff. I am going to have to hide credit cards. lol