Thread: Fin: fact or fiction?

Here is a beauty Note the micro chipping in the edge.

Originally Posted by Ben325e

Okay - I guess this should have happened a long time ago, but I'll put what my definition of a fin and an edge would be.

For a straight razor, an edge would be the intersection of two planes where the distance between them increases as the distance from the intersection increases, such as a V.

A fin would be a section of steel whose thickness is constant for a distance, protruding from the intersection of two planes where the distance between the two planes increases as the distance (opposite the fin) away from the intersection increases, such as a Y.

If the fin IS a V, then I would not classify it as a fin at all. It is in fact a V, albeit thin and easily deformable.

Ben. you are right, this is exactly what i think

Originally Posted by Ben325e

Okay - I guess this should have happened a long time ago, but I'll put what my definition of a fin and an edge would be.

For a straight razor, an edge would be the intersection of two planes where the distance between them increases as the distance from the intersection increases, such as a V.

A fin would be a section of steel whose thickness is constant for a distance, protruding from the intersection of two planes where the distance between the two planes increases as the distance (opposite the fin) away from the intersection increases, such as a Y.

If the fin IS a V, then I would not classify it as a fin at all. It is in fact a V, albeit thin and easily deformable.

That may well be your definition, but I would say that the original "fin" spoken of in ancient tomes of barber lore is simply refering to the pliable V edge.

I do not think that there is a way to achieve a Y edge, without perhaps honing on a convex surface, which would impart a concave surface to the edge bevel.

I hone my razors under magnification and I have seen fins. When I do, I hold the razor vertically on a very fine stone like a Shapton 16k or 30k and with very little pressure draw it toward me. I then do three light pushes on the stone on each side moving away from me. This removes the fin in the same way a short, steep slope stropping will i.e. by fatiguing the fin and getting it off the edge. I'm in agreement that the V formed with no chips, fins, curls, fingers, etc. is the best shaving edge I get.