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Thread: Real Tortoise Shell.

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    Senior Member cosperryan's Avatar
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    Default Real Tortoise Shell.

    So I have a razor that needs some new scales. While I was in the military though and stationed in Diego Garcia, I came across some sea turtle shell. The part that looks pretty. I didn't harm any turtles and found it floating in the water while fishing and its just a piece not the whole shell. Its got some crustiness from seawater and I'm sure some coral or whatever. I bleached it to kill off any organisms and the pattern only shows when wet. I was wondering how to make it look better and possibly usable for scales. Should I sand it and then wax it or something? I will get some pictures up tomorrow.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth
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    Interesting,I bought a hawksbill shell in Mexico decades ago,I tried to work with it but all fell apart.
    Is an artform working with it I think,very complicated.

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    Senior Member JoeLowett's Avatar
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    I think the used to treat it as a primitive form of bio-plastic , and they would build it in layers, heat it under steam and pressure and mould it in to shape under pressure- similar to layered pressed horn. I didn't know the shell was thick or stable enough to work with in its 'raw' form
    ......... Making Old Razors Shine N' Shave, Once Again.
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    Senior Member JoeLowett's Avatar
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    OP pics of the goods ASAP please!
    pfries likes this.
    ......... Making Old Razors Shine N' Shave, Once Again.
    -"Sheffield Style"

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    Senior Member ScienceGuy's Avatar
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    This is correct, the scutes would be heated and pressed together to form thick sheets, as the material becomes soft and somewhat 'sticky' at higher temperatures and can self-adhere.

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Geezer's Avatar
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    A good start would be these three videos.



    One more to come
    ~Richard
    Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
    - Oscar Wilde

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    AirColorado (11-23-2013), ColonelG (12-13-2013), JoeLowett (11-23-2013), MJC (11-23-2013), pfries (11-23-2013)

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    Senior Member blabbermouth Geezer's Avatar
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    Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
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    Senior Member ScienceGuy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Geezer View Post
    Enjoy the learning!![/url]

    ~Richard
    Ah I was looking for these exact videos. Incredibly helpful

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    Quote Originally Posted by cosperryan View Post
    ...While I was in the military though and stationed in Diego Garcia...
    I spent a year @ DGar from Jul 83 - Jul 84. An interesting place in the exact middle of nowhere.

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    Senior Member JoeLowett's Avatar
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    Awesome vids- thanks!
    ......... Making Old Razors Shine N' Shave, Once Again.
    -"Sheffield Style"

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