Thread: long finned blade

Re:Initial honing attempts on two straight razors, I have developed, on each a long flexible not very sharp fin, I arrived thusly,using what was then available ,12k chinese hone,crox,strop.
New arrival today, as yet, unused 1k,4/8k norton.
Tried placing razor 90 degrees to stone and reducing fin then touch-up,which did help some.
I have sharpened various tools over the years,some have developed wire edges,
I have never seen a fin before, logic tells me shortening the fin making it less flexible would carry a better edge. Can anyone address this interesting phenomenon? Thanks,Yoster

Welcome to SRP. Here is the SRP Wiki with a beginner's guide and tutorials on all things related to straight razor shaving including honing. If you're using the Norton 4/8 there is a tutorial on pyramid honing here with those by SRP founder Lynn Abrams in the honing section of the Wiki. It is hard to visualize what you describe without perhaps photos.

If you set your bevel on a Chinese 12k perhaps you need to go to something coarser ? Try a pyramid on the 4/8 and see where you end up when you are done. Have you shaved with a straight yet ?

When you say fin, do you mean wire edge? If so, it must be removed. Running the edge along a matchstick should take it off. Based on what you said you were using, I would suspect you stropped on the Chrome Ox waaay too much. I would say go back to the 1k or 4k to reset the bevel and start over, using either pyramids or circles and X's.

would you be able to get a picture of what you're talking about with the "fin"?

ya, I'd love to know what you mean by "fin" as well...

Thanks each for your helpful replies and questions.As far as pictures,I am sans camera,gave it to my brother an avid online trader of finer junque.
By fin;along the entire shaving edge blade length extending 1/8"+ is a thin flexible area easily pushed side to side moving somewhat like a fishes fin.
I suspect,perhaps I know, how I created this anomaly and it ain't pretty,in deference to those with delicate sensibilities,let's leave it as, enough said.
My courage renewed,by you goodfellows of SRP,newly armed with ,1k,4/8k in hand I will apply your hard won,and generously shared knowledge and vanquish the sharpless,shameless fin and resume my delight in a satisfying daily shave.
I have returned to straight razor shaving after a fifty plus year hiatus,the art originally taught to me by my grandfather,now long gone to that mansion in the sky. Regards,Yoster.

Well, now based on what you are saying about the "fin," your razor just sounds like the average singing hollow blade - they are so thin they can easily be bent when pushed on with a finger.

In short, I still have no idea what is going on with your razor.

I have one question . Did you hone with the edge leading , or the spine leading ?

I am honing with the edge leading.

Originally Posted by Yoster

I am honing with the edge leading.

Good , that is the correct way to hone . If you were honing with the spine leading , it could easily cause the condition you describe . I would reccomend that you rehone on a 4k or lower grit hone , to remove the wire edge , then go back up to the higher grit hones . Be careful that you don't hone too much on the higher grits . Once I get to 8k and higher , a little bit goes a long way .