I would like to make some guitar picks out of tortoise shell scutes and have the following questions.
1. What kind of turtle shell do I use that will provide fairly thick scutes ( ie, about 1/8"). Where can I find such a shell? Obviously, the shell must not be from any endangered species.
2. How do I remove the scutes from the shell?
3. Are there any safety or health issues involved?
4. Any other tips would be helpful.
The picks you are talkin about are made from the now protected Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). The hawksbill is a marine turtle, and not a tortise. The term tortise is a misnomer for the Spanish Torguga (turtle). "Tortise shell" was used as a market term for combs and other paraphenalia, including guitar picks,in the past. Stick with plastic or wood or whatever. It is not legal to play with those things any longer. The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a hangar full of them at their offices on Carondalet in New Orleans. The shells were seized from tourists who tried to bring them back as souvenirs........sorry
Hi,
As my original email states, I would like to make the picks out of a shell that is legal to own. Do you have any suggestions?
As you have been told, the original type were done from the hawks bill sea turtle. The only other tortoise i can think of with strong enough scutes would be an adult yellowfoot tortoise if you can find one. I have a small one about 10" long that may do the trick, but am not sure of the strength you need. They are easilym rtemoved by just soaking the shell. I will let you have it with no guarantees for 40.00 plus shipping. It will be whole frozen
Tom
Tom,
What do you soak the shell in to remove the scutes(ie, hot water, cold water, etc.) and for how long? Do the scutes just fall free of the shell?
Also, is there any health issues to consider regarding handling the shell?
As tom said, only a few of the tortise family would have thick enough "scutes" to play with. You can remove the scutes by soaking in a peroxide solution or a detergent water bath until they fall free. Boiling will help free them up, but I am not sure what that will do to the pigmentation. The original translucent effect from the hawksbill turtle will not be achieved since it is the only species with similar carapace material.
As Curt at Wildart replied a mild peroxide solution with cold water is a great idea. I would not boil them though unless you are very experienced at doing such as it may destroy the scutes. If soaked for a fewq days, they will eventually come free.
Tom
Hi,
Can anyone supply me with the scutes already removed?