Interesting Dagger For Comment

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by Shakethetrees

Tortoise she'll can be "welded" into a thick mass and carved into handles, etc.

I think it's tortoise shell. I've examined a lot of it over the years. Horn, while also having the translucence of tortoise shell, does not have the color or richness.

Thanks for your comments Shakethetrees. I wish the photos were a little better.

I own an excavated Berber Sabre. Its grip is made from layers of cow horn glued and pegged together, so I've seen something like what you are talking about.

The daggers handle really looks like it is one piece. There is no visible evidence of layering that I can see.