Question about Tortoise shell

[Pipeman]

Hi there. I have a piece of old Tortoise shell off a victorian hand mirror and was thinking about using it to cap a powder horn i'm making. My question is, can tortoise be soaked to make it pliable? Thanks.

Best regards

Robin

 

[Bill DeShivs]

I wouldn't try it. I put some in an ultrasonic once-it shrank up and looked like a booger.
Tortoise (actually sea turtle) works easily as far as grinding and polishing, though.

 

[Pipeman]

Thanks Bill, I thought I had heard something about soaking tortoise but I'm probably thinking of something else. Thanks for the reply.

Regards

Robin

 

[FortyTwoBlades]

You were probably thinking of horn. When soaked in hot water it becomes somewhat pliable.