The one on the far left, I know that the two on the right are faux but the one on the left just kind of has that look
http://imgur.com/7E8bk.jpg
http://imgur.com/mTSFF.jpg
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The one on the far left, I know that the two on the right are faux but the one on the left just kind of has that look
http://imgur.com/7E8bk.jpg
http://imgur.com/mTSFF.jpg
The only way to tell for sure is the hot pin test. I would say thats a good imitation but it looks kinda like a set of faux tortoise scales I handled the other day. Just heat a pin with a lighter and touch the inside of the scales. If it smells like plastic, then its not t-shell.
Nice, my hot pin that smokes up plastic like crazy doesn't make any smoke nor any smell?Quote:
Originally Posted by khaos
Here are a few pics with the light behind them
http://imgur.com/KHIT6.jpg
http://imgur.com/mq9pQ.jpg
Search for the hot pin test. I believe real t shell smells like burning hair, plastic smells like, well plastic.
Thanks, that's what I was saying, a hot safety pin that burns through a plastic scale doesn't burn or smoke this one at all. Leads me to believe that it's 100% not plasticQuote:
Originally Posted by khaos
Well I'm not expert so I won't pass judgement but to me that seems like its Tshell or at least very convincing dyed horn. Though I've never seen horn dyed that well.
oh, that's exciting! I really do like the look quite a bit!
If it is genuine you've broken the law. Send me a PM and I'll forward my address and you can send it to me for disposal. Anything for a friend. :beer2:
I have done the hot pin test on dozens of razors I was not sure of, in the past. Now, it is not necessary because I know what to look for. The pin has to be red/white hot, and taken instantly from the flame that heated it to the inside of the scale you are testing.
Celluloid-vaporizes, POOOFFFF, with a distinctive chemical odor.
Ivory-the pin does not penetrate. There is no scorch mark and if you bend your nose close, you will smell the awful dentist office odor of burnt tooth that comes from drilling.
Bone-may smoke a little and leave a very shallow mark, gives a slighter odor of burnt tooth. Ivory may have several types of grain, bone does not; instead there are pores near the ends of the bone, and they mark the former locations of small blood vessels.
I have two tortoise shell (genuine) razors and they both gave off an odor similar to what bone does, with the hot pin test.
Hope the results of my experiments are of some value to you!
"Vaporizes" is exactly the term I'd use for pin testing celluloid. In that vein, I'd also caution any would be pin testers that you can easily damage celluloid scales beyond practical repair even if you're testing in an inconspicuous spot. Do not thrust the red/white hot pin into the scale. You can get the desired response by BARELY touching the very tip of the pin to the area you don't mind marring.
Chris L
Do be aware, as above, that if these are celluloid, they are made of nitrocellulose plastinated with camphor....
Hot pin at your own risk.
And only if you don't mind sacrificing the scales to know for certain what they are.
One last note about antique genuine tortoise shell scales; they get very dark with age, and it can be hard to see the remains of the striations. But with cleaning and a good light, they fairly glow and have a unique feeling when you run your finger along them; one that does not occur with bone, ivory or any plastic. Very rare to see genuine tortoise shell on a razor.
Well, considering what I've learned and the tests I've done I think I'll call these genuine?
You have to really examine it in person and try polishing it up and see if it changes appearance. Many of the older razors used a different celluloid. I have a Torry that is celluloid however it looks totally different from the stuff later made.
The surface structure is a perfect match.
I've posted pictures of a tortoise shell item in Gratewhitehuntr's tortoise shell thread. There you can see.
I'd say this is one.
http://straightrazorpalace.com/show-...ve-poop-3.html