Should I/ how do I prep this?

[Miocene_Mason]

I recently took a trip to the lost river site in West Virginia (Devonian, needmore fm) and I found a few partial trilos. Here is a plate that has at least three ( I assume Eldredgeops, but I have to see the cephalon first), and I'm wondering how I can tease them out. The shale is delicate (already had to glue a little just in case), and the three trilobites lay under about 1/2 an inch of stone, which is just a painful amount to go through with a manual scribe (which I lost, so I need to get a new one). I don't really wanna take my chances with a split, so what should I do? Is it worth sending to a pro?

thanks!

[Fossildude19]

For things like this, I have an exacto knife with a wide blade. 

I split it using that and a very small ball-peen hammer. 

Not worth the price of professional prep, in my opinion. 

The only way to learn is by doing.  

 

[caldigger]

We will of course be patiently waiting for the outcome. ☘️ Good luck!

[JohnBrewer]

Go for it M!

[Miocene_Mason]

4 hours ago, Fossildude19 said:

For things like this, I have an exacto knife with a wide blade. 

I split it using that and a very small ball-peen hammer. 

Not worth the price of professional prep, in my opinion. 

The only way to learn is by doing.  

 

Okay, I'll go for it! I'll let everyone know how it works out!

47 minutes ago, caldigger said:

We will of course be patiently waiting for the outcome. ☘️ Good luck!

Thanks! I'll post what happens here!

44 minutes ago, JohnBrewer said:

Go for it M!

I will, hope it works out, it will be my most complete trilo from the place if it does (except for one roller that is definitely not coming out of the rock)

P.S. Have not forgot your sharks teeth, will send incredibly soon, sorry for the delay!

[Ptychodus04]

Similar to @Fossildude19 said, I have employed a razor blade and a small hammer to split shales with good results.