Snapping turtle shell as a handle material?

Jake Evans

Jake Evans

Joined
Dec 13, 1999
Messages
1,729
I've seen several older knives with tortise shell handles and it was rather striking.I was wondering if anyone has ever tried using the shell from a snapping turtle. It might be good looking stuff and legal since its not on any endangered lists or anything, The fishermen around here catch then on a regular basis, so the shell would be easily obtained.Any input would be welcomed.




------------------
Jake Evans
 
My only thought is that it might be hard to get a piece flat enough. I guess if you got your hands on fairly big turtle shell that wouldn't be a problem.And you could always come up with some type of spacers for it.

------------------
Fix it right the first time, use Baling Wire !
 
I was lucky enough to have a real piece of Tortise from WWII, the piece was curved and I flattened it like you do sheephorn, just heat it up carefully and clamp between 2 board till cool.

------------------
www.simonichknives.com
 
Hey Steve, you mean you've never caught,cleaned and cooked a snapper? The meats almost as good as gator.

------------------
Jake Evans
 
:
I have caught and eaten my share of snappers.Jakes right,they are mighty tasty.A bitch to clean though,Unless you know how.The best way I know is to put them in a tub of very hot water until the outer skin starts coming off,rub it with a stick or something.Don't leave it in the hot water any longer than necessary or the meat will start to cook.
That makes it easy to cut the underneath of the shell and get to the meat.Another old Indin taught me that when I was in my teens an was chopping the meat out.

Jake the hot water has another benefit it will let the outer layer of shell come off too.
Some guitar pickers prize these pieces for picks!
The actual "tortise shell" on most snappers weighing in at about 20 Lbs is rather thin in my experience,about 1/64" or so.
I think it would make nice inlays though.

What's your take on this?


------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ


 
Well, I guess you know a bit about snappers. I usually just chop out the meat too. It never dawned on me to use it for handles until I saw the fake stuff in supply catalogs. If its that thin I guess it would be best used on folders and for handle inlays, but there are some species in Lousiana that have shells that are a lot thicker, about a half inch or so. I lived there for 15 years and I still have a lot of friends, so I can probably get a shell sent here to Yankeeland. When I do I'll let y'all knoe how it works.

------------------
Jake Evans
 
OH Yvsa, by the way...you should try Vodka and prune juice...it's called a pile driver...

------------------
Jake Evans
 
:
Good one Jake!!
smile.gif


Yeah it's a shame that the actual shell is a lot thicker than the pretty part that layers on top of it.
I found out about it the hard way when I had one that weighed 25 lbs.
I left it in hot water a bit too long and the shell come off the bony part.It was one I was gonna use for a clock and it really ticked me off.

If they were colored all the way through it would be wonderful!!

Speaking of "pile drivers"...
That's kinda like missing an old gurlfren.I had one I really missed.
I had the hemorhoids once and I miss them too.(veeseg)


------------------
>>>>---¥vsa---->®

If you mix milk of magnesia with vodka and orange juice do you get a phillips screwdriver?

Khukuri FAQ


 
No Jake I haven't ever tried it but I would if I had the opportunity. Sounds good to me.

Probably ranks right up there with Possum Belly.
Steve
 
Steve, how does possum belly compare to armidillo? In Lousiana we called that Possum on the half shell..

------------------
Jake Evans
 
Possum is not as greasy as armadillo, and a lot easier to skin. Have you ever had Jack Rabbit La Crunch?
Steve.
 
No Steve , thats a new one on me, but I did try smoked rabbit once and that was pretty good.
 
Smoked rabbit? How the heck do you keep the end lit?

Sorry, just couldn't pass that up
smile.gif


------------------
I love my country! I just don't trust my government!
 
Hey Jake!
Good idea. I would like to buy a couple of pieces from you if you get that far.
Regards,
Dave
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top