Thread: Is this a tortoise shell scale?

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

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.

Originally Posted by khaos

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?

Here are a few pics with the light behind them

Search for the hot pin test. I believe real t shell smells like burning hair, plastic smells like, well plastic.

Originally Posted by khaos

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 plastic

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.

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!