Both the Shulchan Aruch Harav and the Mishnah Brurah use similar terminology when describing the importance of the shin being "pointy" on the bottom and all three branches of the letter shin meeting at a point or "chad" at the bottom of the letter. There is a strong foundation in Halacha for this and for the bottom of the shin to be flat like a moshav (base) is considered questionable (Pri Megadim) and definitely not Kosher Lechatchillah. It is worse if the moshav is very wide, but it is still questionable if it is lechatchillah if there is a thick noticeable base rather than a chad. Even for Sephardim, who lechatchillah make an angular base, it is still important that the base is indeed on a (significant) angle. If the base is flat, even if all three branches of the shin come out of the base connected , as in the top picture, it is problematic. It is worse in the bottom picture below where the right head/ branch comes out of the right part of the base and the m
It is lacquer based and highly toxic but to the best of my knowledge is the only option.
ReplyDeleteUse in a well ventilated area, wear gloves and preferably a face mask too.
Acetone
ReplyDeleteThe base is thinner 21 and that's what everyone uses in Israel. It's not available in the US. Acetone is the only thinner that I've had success with in the US. It evaporates quickly and is not as good as thinner 21 but it suffices. They both have a strong odor and a well ventilated room, preferably with a good exhaust system is needed. If you work with super glue be sure to have Acetone close at hand as it loosens the glue, for example, if you get your fingers stuck together.
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