Leisure Pleasures Clue 14

[Magic 1]

Bertie W No.14 "Shellbacks' work on shell backs started from scratch" If you used my clue could you by way of return give me a hand with No 14. ?? Thanks in advance or indeed to anyone else who could help

[gen2]

Look up shelback in Chambers. In place of "shell backs" you could also substitute "Whale's teeth"

[Magic 1]

Gen 2 Thanks for that and your other contributions ! Still working at that clue. I assume that your spelling of SHELBACK was correct in this instance? As you know every letter counts so it is as well to check

[crofter]

Magic 1 - he meant to put double L (it's a typo)

The word you are looking for rhymes with the surname of Norman Wisdom's boss!

[Magic 1]

Gen 2. Still have not grasped the significance of whales teeth. I have a 9 letter word P-------S which describes the shellbacks before they have participated in the crossing of the equator ceremony. They start off as tadpoles! "from scratch." In any other context this would seem crazy. probably is. If I am still perplexed in the morning I will come back later.

[prospector]

Clue 14 Shellbacks� work on shell backs started from scratch. (9)

Shellbacks is one of the names given to sailors that cross the Equator .... work on shell backs i.e backs of shells or more usually whale teeth, walrus tusk etc ..... the scratch is akin to drawing or etching ..... so, a 9 letter word for
1. a carved or engraved article, esp. of whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, or the like, made by whalers as a leisure occupation.
2. such articles or work collectively.
3. the art or technique of carving or engraving whale ivory, whalebone, walrus tusks, etc.

[Magic 1]

Gen 2 Crofter and Prospector. Thanks very much for your contribution of clues. It took them all before the answer finally sunk in! Although I have witnessd the Equator ceremony I had not heard of Shellbacks

[Goofy]

I managed to get this by looking up prospectors answers in my reverse dictionary!