Thread: A few pretty tortoise scale "reference shots"

Originally Posted by FatboySlim

Wanted to share this with others who may be wondering about some specifics to look for when checking for real tortoise, as I was.

- The spots go through the entire thickness of the scale, not just the surface

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

This is what I found here "...The plates, too thin for most purposes in their original form, are usually built up in layers that are molded or compressed after the surfaces have been liquefied by heat; thus, a firm union is effected after resolidification.

Also note how the layers are built up in real tortoise products, meaning that the spots would NOT go all the way through the thickness of the scale. I believe the notes about what to look for in the first post are perfect for 'imitation' tortoiseshell scales.

I'm not going to weigh on one side or the other, but I will say that tortoise shell should produce a burned hair smell when subjected to the hot needle test. I don't know if its also resistant to a hot needle, like Ivory or bone.

Tortise shell is keratin. Just like your fingernail, hair, hooves, horns, etc.

hey man, i got the same razor same scales, same everything, took a match to the end of one of the scales (the blade is pretty much useless) and it burst into flameronies, yes sir, thats some grade A celluloid

I have one real tortoise shell scaled razor. It is an Underwood, sold in a fancy Victorian era shop in London. The scales are darker than celluloid imitations, feel very smooth and slick, and are very flexible. This is not the "other" imitation tortoise shell material, which was dyed horn. Genuine tortoise scales were pretty rare.

yeah, croaker, those underwood ones definitely look like something different to me - and super-fantastic, I might add. the ones at the top look like a nice version of what I *thought* was imitation. if ritchie and stewart got this wrong, that is real, real bad.