Tortoise shell handle anyone?

[RN0601]

I'm new to Bladeforum and its a very helpful web forum with many interesting information. I was curious if any of you member could help me with answering questions regarding to tortoise shell knife handle.

1. Is tortoise shell handle durable (as in being able to stand average use under frequent wet or dry condition)? Or does tortoise shell acts or demands care such natural handle materials like mop and abalone?

2. How often do artist-knife maker uses such material? And if artist-knife maker is to handle such material, he or she requires experience in working with tortoise shell previously for better result?

If anyone could help me to find facts on tortoise shell knife handle, I would appriciate very much. Thanks

 

[Daniel Dorn]

I have no experience with REAL Tortise shell handles, but have seen lots of tortise shell celluloid. The artificial handles hold up very well, and the only thing you have to worry about on them, is light scratching from harder objects, like keys, or sometimes, coins. I have never actually seen real tortise shell used in a knife handle before.

Welcome to the Forums, by the way!

DD

 

[bob bowie]

I believe use of real Tortise shell is illegal, or at least tightly controled.

Tortise shell will break down like all natural materials, if not taken care of(oiled, etc....). It seem's to act much like Cattle horn.

While on the subject of Cattle horn, it was often used as a substitue for Tortise shell, when done right it is very close in looks.
Celluloid also looks very close, but has it's own problem's.

Check with Bernard Levine, or in the Shop talk forum for more information.



HTH.