Shell Shock - Let's See some Tortoise

[Will Power]

I think this is a striking photo, Will! :thumbup::thumbup:
In days of old, knife covers were simply cut from a shell like this?? Seems like whatever direction you look on the tortoise shell, there is substantial curvature. How was that straightened to use on a knife handle? Or could a vertical strip taken from Will's shell be held flat against the liners just by 3 or 4 pins?

- GT

GT Thanks , most kind. I agree with Jolipapa, the shell for knives came from the sea going Turtle not the land bound Tortoise. Mind you, the same problems-but on a larger scale would've presented themselves in sawing,curing and bending the shell HOW did they do it? Maybe steaming the material and using clamps? When I was very small, the cellar of our house had a tin of Turtle Soup that my grandfather had been given before the First War, somehow it never got used but later on nobody dared touch it, rusty:barf: The frames of glasses/spectacles used to be made from 'Tortoise' too in far off days. I have to say that I'm glad we have very decent and stable acrylics to use nowadays and that hopefully all genuine clad 'Tortoise' comes only from old recycled material and not from endangered and beautiful Turtles.

Regards, Will

 

[philllll]

HOW did they do it? Maybe steaming the material and using clamps?

You hit the nail on the head Will. From what I understand, the shell needs to be gently heated and then pressed flat, similar to how rams horn is treated for use in handle scales.

 

[RobbW]

All my Tortoise is GEC Acrylic. I really like what they are using!!:thumbup:

Beer Scout:

 

[RobbW]

Two-blade trapper:



And one-blade trapper:

 

[Ratbert]

Agree with all on the Erickson whittler...what a beauty!

I don't have any tortoise shell in my collection. But as far as acrylic handles go, it would be hard to beat...very easy on the eyes.

 

[btb01]

All my Tortoise is GEC Acrylic. I really like what they are using!!:thumbup:

Beer Scout:

Great photo!

 

[RobbW]

Great photo!

Thanks Barrett!

 

[stezann]

I think this is a striking photo, Will! :thumbup::thumbup:
In days of old, knife covers were simply cut from a shell like this?? Seems like whatever direction you look on the tortoise shell, there is substantial curvature. How was that straightened to use on a knife handle? Or could a vertical strip taken from Will's shell be held flat against the liners just by 3 or 4 pins?

- GT

Actually the tortoise used is the hawkbill sea turtle, but even then the shell is made of keratine (like ram, cow or buffalo horn), so if heated it is pliable and cooling it retains the new form. Thin slivers of shell are heat welded one over each others to have more thickness and layering of brown and gold color.

 

[stezann]

I'd love to see the process of going from shell to product.

here you are: http://www.thecarvingpath.net/forum/...l-eye-glasses/

 

[5K Qs]

I think this is a striking photo, Will! :thumbup::thumbup:
In days of old, knife covers were simply cut from a shell like this?? Seems like whatever direction you look on the tortoise shell, there is substantial curvature. How was that straightened to use on a knife handle? Or could a vertical strip taken from Will's shell be held flat against the liners just by 3 or 4 pins?

- GT

No, Will 's turtle does not risk anything! The shell used to come from the Hawksbill sea turtle, much larger! The first to use it were the Japanese, then Portuguese brought the fashion to Europe during the Renaissance.
...

GT Thanks , most kind. I agree with Jolipapa, the shell for knives came from the sea going Turtle not the land bound Tortoise. Mind you, the same problems-but on a larger scale would've presented themselves in sawing,curing and bending the shell HOW did they do it? Maybe steaming the material and using clamps? ...
Regards, Will

You hit the nail on the head Will. From what I understand, the shell needs to be gently heated and then pressed flat, similar to how rams horn is treated for use in handle scales.

Actually the tortoise used is the hawkbill sea turtle, but even then the shell is made of keratine (like ram, cow or buffalo horn), so if heated it is pliable and cooling it retains the new form. Thin slivers of shell are heat welded one over each others to have more thickness and layering of brown and gold color.

here you are: http://www.thecarvingpath.net/forum/...l-eye-glasses/

Thanks for the education, gentlemen! :thumbup::thumbup:

- GT