Thread: source for tortoiseshell?

I found an Ern razor in an antique shop. The scales are tortoise, but cracked at the wedge pin (which is odd, but whatever) and the surface of the scales are cracking, like aged plastic. I really like the look of the razor, and would like to make new scales to be as close to original as I can get.

Where can I find some tortoise shell material to make new scales? My local Rockler doesn't seem to have anything but pen blanks and I don't think those will work very well.

J.

shoot a tortoise?

Or just use Faux Tortoise

I hear the Galapagos have tortises.

You could use faux no one would really know. I mean they would, but so what tortises are cool.

Might be an idea to 'invest' in a few 'pet' tortises

Originally Posted by ndw76

Might be an idea to 'invest' in a few 'pet' tortises

...And then just wait 150 years for them to die of natural causes!

Why shoot a tortoise? Where I grew up in south GA you can walk in the woods near river beds and find some where the tortoise has been dead a while or you can find one hit by a car. Probably not the easiest way to get the real thing, but at least its not like you killed it for a razor.

Sorry, the biologist in me likes to keep the rare animals safe. I have no problem with hunting or fishing, but I don't like the idea of killing rare creatures so I can brag about what I shave with.
I just bought faux tortoise from Texas Knife Supply, but they are bad about returning emails if you have questions.
Good Luck!

Originally Posted by treydampier

Why shoot a tortoise? Where I grew up in south GA you can walk in the woods near river beds and find some where the tortoise has been dead a while or you can find one hit by a car. Probably not the easiest way to get the real thing, but at least its not like you killed it for a razor.

Sorry, the biologist in me likes to keep the rare animals safe. I have no problem with hunting or fishing, but I don't like the idea of killing rare creatures so I can brag about what I shave with.
I just bought faux tortoise from Texas Knife Supply, but they are bad about returning emails if you have questions.
Good Luck!

Your thinking about common turtles. Tortoise is a bit different.

Either way, people were just joking about shooting them to make a set of scales. You shouldn't take this site so serious. Most everyone is here to have a good time and joke a bit.

Originally Posted by dkapp

Your thinking about common turtles. Tortoise is a bit different.

Either way, people were just joking about shooting them to make a set of scales. You shouldn't take this site so serious. Most everyone is here to have a good time and joke a bit.

The tortoise is a bit different but there actually are tortoises in GA. In fact, the gopher tortoise is the state reptile of GA. I've never understood why any legislative body ever took the time to pick the state anything, but they all do.

I know nobody here would kill anything for a razor so I didn't mean to appear like an activist. The people are too good hearted on this site to kill anything I would think. I should thank Utopian for his comment, because he is correct as usual. I know you have no way of knowing, but I studied biology and biochemistry in college so I know a little Herpetology ( I mean a very little!). Where I grew up, there was a river about 100 yards from a river and there are many Gopher tortoises there. We folks down south can't remember specifics like tortoise so we always called them "Gophers". The are also alligator turtles, snapping turtles, red-eared pond sliders, and one other type that is highly prevalent. Three years ago I would have named genus and species from memory, but my career choices have moved me away from Herpetology. The tortoise is easier to recognize and they live in these big holes that you have to watch because Rattlesnakes move in when the tortoises are not around. My mom used to get upset because two of them happened to love her Petunias.
I am sorry for the story and random comments, I just love animals . I also happened to buy the faux stuff on texas knife supply and I hope I didn't mess up, because I now have no clue how to cut it.
Best Wishes!