Thread: What are you working on?

Just picked up this ERN. Pretty sure that the scales are tortoise. They’re badly warped but otherwise completely intact. I assume I should treat the scales the same way you would horn, but that’s just an assumption on my part. Any recommendations?

JFK, I have very little experience with tortoise shell but it is my understander that they are more or less the same construction as horn and I agree with your logic.
Jerry I am with you on scale thickness. I think the sweet spot for bone is right there. Bone is also very strong and will not flex well if it is more than 080. It’s also surprisingly heavy and can throw a small hollow grind out of balance fairly easily. It will function well right down to 050 but the it starts feeling vulnerable.
Nice planing work MikeT!

I was able to flatten out a set of tortoise with a clothes iron, for MikeT. Very much like horn, but it better be either one, or their gonna melt.

It took me a bit to understand what you had written, but I am presuming that you are saying that if the scales are horn or tortoise that heat will be of some help but if they are celluloid then they would melt and be ruined.

If they are celluloid then some moderately hot water and clamping would be of choice? Just wondering.

There’s some small longitudinal splits on the scales, very un-celluloid like ime, though I have been wrong before. So would a nice steam bath be ok if they do turn out to be celluloid? I figure I’ll sandwiched them between glass. I’m actually most worried about the sword embossing coming loose, though I assume hot water won’t hurt it?

On another note, some nice recent razor additions to the thread.

I think it was steam that turns celluloid white. But see if someone knows this.

I had an Ern like that though the blade was different, still a fancy blade though like yours. The scales looked very similar with the sword.
At the time, I had determined that mine was celluloid, but that doesn't mean yours isn't real.

I’ll check with a hot pin tonight, hopefully they smell like burning hair. If celluloid, I want to get rid of them, is there a recommendation for imitation tortoise?

Could be horn, made to look like tortoise (faux).

Hot pin the inside if the scales, smell like burning hair. ?
If so you'll be safe with the heat.

I reserve the plastic scales to a heat lamp, and flat surface.

Slow and steady. I've got the scale template made with tape and paper, pictured is an original length and a shortened.
Blacked out the tip to give an idea what it will look like.
Not perfect just rough.
Will cut and shape tomorrow.
***The damage to the scales is not too significant, definitely repairable. I'm wondering if I should save them for a full length blade...?
I've got some very unique material to scale it with.