Thread: Working with realL Turtle Shell -Questions

I have been given a very large turtle shell that is approximately 75-100 years old. It has not been taken care of that well, but it is 85-90% intact. I am still researching the laws of ownership and trade in regards to the shell. From what I can tell the laws are very much the same as Ivory - legal as long as it is antique.

Does anybody here know the best way to use the shell as material for scales? Again these are schutes, not slabs. Do they layer like a composite? Do I just try to cut slabs form the schutes? I am clueless...


** I will have pictures later this evening**


If this is in the wrong area, pleas move it. Thank you.

The laws are not like ivory as far as trade within CONUS.
As far as working with it,I tried 30 yrs ago with a legal shell I got in mexico,sort of all falls apart,never did figure out how the worked it,a lost art I think.
http://www.fws.gov/international/DMA...nstruments.pdf

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

The laws are not like ivory as far as trade within CONUS.
As far as working with it,I tried 30 yrs ago with a legal shell I got in mexico,sort of all falls apart,never did figure out how the worked it,a lost art I think.
http://www.fws.gov/international/DMA...nstruments.pdf

Thank you for the link.

I am still trying to identify the species of turtle the shell came from. Its most resembling a large fresh wather snapping turtle, but its hard to tell. Since it was a gift I think it will just hang it on the wall in the "cave" for now. Maybe take it to my buddy down at the aquarium see if she can help identify it.

Although "a rose is a rose is a rose", I don't believe a turtle is a turtle is a turtle, or "not all turtles are created equal". The commercial tortoise shell used in so many products over the centuries appears to have come mainly from the hawksbill sea turtle that was hunted to the brink of extinction to provide razor scales, combs, guitar picks, etc., etc. for the masses. I don't believe any old turtle shell can be used for this purpose. It appears that yours may be much better suited for hanging on the wall.

Regards - Walt

I did a google search on tortoise shell sometime back researching a Case Bros razor I acquired with TS scales. I found an article that said that items made with tortoise shell, back then, were laminated, pressed together with heat, to form it into combs, scales, guitar picks, whatever. So it is cut to shape, layers pressed together with heat and maybe moisture. Hope this helps .... and that it is correct.

Its going on the wall. If anything people will ask where it came from or how I got it. I am going back to the Faux Tortoise slabs I can get from Mascraft without having to cut or press anything.

Since this post no longer has anything to do with the Workshop can it be thrown into the General Conversation area please. Thanks Mods.