Point type recommendation for newb with beard?

Despite having read JILLIONS of posts about shaving around moustaches, goatees, and beards, I didn't see any that addressed a question that's bugging me:

Should someone (me) new to straight razors stick with a round point despite needing to shave around a beard?

It's clear to me that the general recommendation is to start with a round point, but that seems to assume that a clean-shaven face is the goal. I understand that a round point is a good way to reduce the chance of cutting off protruding parts while learning to handle the razor, but is the round point worth it when fine work is also needed? Is a square point a reasonable alternative, even though it's not common on 'beginner' razors?

I'll let others chime in here about the shape of the point. I would just recommend that you have the point and toe edge of the blade blunted a bit.

Oh. I'm new to it as well and have 2 square point straight razors and see the point a complete non-issue. I could be wrong, but my concentration is always where the edge is going on my face.

Welcome, Dzanda!

SPIKE !!!!

Perhaps a French / Oblique point but if you want the straight exact corners and lines you want a Spike and you want a stupid sharp edge on it :p

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

Despite having read JILLIONS of posts about shaving around moustaches, goatees, and beards, I didn't see any that addressed a question that's bugging me:

Should someone (me) new to straight razors stick with a round point despite needing to shave around a beard?

It's clear to me that the general recommendation is to start with a round point, but that seems to assume that a clean-shaven face is the goal. I understand that a round point is a good way to reduce the chance of cutting off protruding parts while learning to handle the razor, but is the round point worth it when fine work is also needed? Is a square point a reasonable alternative, even though it's not common on 'beginner' razors?

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I have a goatee and three round points (1 5/8ths and 1 6/8th). No problem getting precise cuts against the beard. I use the middle of the blade, place it against the beard and shave away from it or do the reverse. I've felt zero need for a square/Spanish/etc at this point.

I'm going to differ and say you need a razor with a big square heel. I'd say a 5/8 at least with a really square heel. I use the heel to shave around my goatee, soul patch and moustache thingy. I find a wider razor allows me to use the heel without my thumb getting in the way...

Im still a newb for all intents and purposes, but I will give my 2 cents:

My first straight was a square point. First few shaves werent too bad, then all of a sudden I started looking like I tried to give a mountain lion a prostate exam! My face was getting tore up, until someone suggested that I mute the point a bit. I have since picked up a roundpoint, and use it primarily. I noticed with the roundpoint that not only was I no longer looking like I was slap boxing a bobcat, my shaves were also a lot closer, and I was not getting any skin irritation whatsoever. I think that may be due to the roundpoint being possibly a better steel than the squarepoint, not really sure. Bottom line is this: you have to choose which is right for you, so maybe you get both and see what works best.

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Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

soul patch

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Carl, what's a soul patch?

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Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Carl, what's a soul patch?

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Like a miniture Brazilian ladies wax but on the lower part of a man's chin.

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Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Carl, what's a soul patch?

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It's also called a "tickler" by someone I used to know, I believe it's the area below your lower lip where your lip and chin join, but prior to the curve of the chin. No idea why it's called that. It should be the really quite tricky to shave patch.

The shape of a full wedge, if you will.

Dzanda,
A good razor point for you would be either a French or a square. Because of their design, they are ideal for shaving around the beard.

A round point will work. A square/spike/French is handy though.

I started with a spike and survived to tell my tale..... and yes, I have had many beards over the years so this isn't a blind testimonial :)

I have both square and round point razors and see no difference.The thing is I shave with both hands so all the detail work around my beard gets done with the heel.

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Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Carl, what's a soul patch?

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What they said. Where your hair grows under your bottom lip. I do notice some guys don't grow hair there very much. I'm unsure of what my 'configuration' is actually termed, I have a moustache, soul patch and goatee all separate from each other. I think the closest terminology is a Van Dyke with a moustache...

Good to hear from you Frankie, you've been quite silent. Not back in the attic again are you?

Intentionally blunting any blade just seems so WRONG! :nono:

But I may find that I need to take you up on your suggestion. Thanks.

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

Intentionally blunting any blade just seems so WRONG! :nono:

But I may find that I need to take you up on your suggestion. Thanks.

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Here

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ing-spike.html

We all just had this convo

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Originally Posted by Ryan82

A round point will work. A square/spike/French is handy though.

I started with a spike and survived to tell my tale..... and yes, I have had many beards over the years so this isn't a blind testimonial :)

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I'm beginning to think that I may opt for two similar razors... one round and one either French or square. That way I'd have the benefit of having two razors, especially as I learn edge maintenance.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Here

http://straightrazorpalace.com/works...ing-spike.html

We all just had this convo

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I was speaking philosophically!

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Originally Posted by Dzanda

I was speaking philosophically!

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I guess I am at a loss as to know how one is to distinguish the difference between the "Philosophical", and the "Actual" request for information :shrug:

Either way the info on how to mute a point so that it may be brought back at a later date is in that thread...

While I am also new to this, only 2 months into it, I have a goatee as well. I have round and square point razors, and they both shave around my goatee the same because I use the heel to shave around it. This brings up a point that I learned, if you send your razor(s) out to be honed make sure and tell them you use the heel to shave around your goatee (if you end up doing so) because some folks don't really hone the heel because they may not use it.

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Originally Posted by Headcrowny

I have a goatee and three round points (1 5/8ths and 1 6/8th). No problem getting precise cuts against the beard. I use the middle of the blade, place it against the beard and shave away from it or do the reverse. I've felt zero need for a square/Spanish/etc at this point.

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With math like that I sure am glad you're not an engineer; I'm not, but I think 1 and 1 still adds up to 2 not 3.

The first spike toe razor I shaved with witch wasn't muted I cut a 2" spot on my neck. It was where the neck starts to curve back out on the sides of Adams apple. I then started asking about why and how to mute. I don't keep a beard though I keep a door knocker goatee. Hope this helps.

Agree with the spikers. Straight razor shaving has a built in learning curve velocity multiplier....also called cutting yourself. You do it and you don't want to repeat it....reminds me of my daughter 40 some years ago finding out the gas heater was hot...her first word after mama and dada.....hot-tah.

I will agree that a nice square heel is useful while shaping your beard.

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Originally Posted by 75kyle

With math like that I sure am glad you're not an engineer; I'm not, but I think 1 and 1 still adds up to 2 not 3.

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Crowden is an engineer :)

When I had a mustache all the touch ups were done with a square, or French points that were extremely sharp. The logic is the sharper the blade the less pressure; less pressure= less cuts and nicks. For goatee styles, for mustaches precision is a must and French point razors along with square points and to a lesser extent Spanish points can't be beaten. I think that round points might present a challenge, but what do I know? I learned to shave with an 8/8 henckels with a Spanish point and have never ever shaved with a round point razor.

My first razor was a really spiky spike and I asked about muting it here but decided not to, and just respect it and learn. I'm very glad now I didn't mute the point...

I keep a short beard(swmbo orders) so only shave side of neck, bottom half of front of neck and top of cheeks. Have both round and square points. Use heel for side of neck and toe for front.. with flat for line on cheeks. A round toes will help if you have hollows in your neck as you can get the toe in there. Very tricky and nicky with square point.

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Originally Posted by edhewitt

Crowden is an engineer :)

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I know, I was making a bit of a joke. He's usually so precise and that precision and him being an engineer probably go hand in hand.

A rounded toe is probably indicated for any new guy. The reason? One of the necessary skills that a novice usually does not have is the ability to shift the pressure point of the blade from toe to heel at will, while moving the blade across your rounded face. A problem if you have a spike or razor that has the ability cut you at the very tip. These are usually nasty cuts because it is a "scraping" cut caused by the pressure at the very tip of the toe being higher than the rest of the blade and you usually don't notice them till they are pretty long. I got a French tip going after I had been shaving about six months and I would get these weird cuts thinking, how in the H..ll did I do that? :banghead:

Another thing to look out for with slightly muted points is that after a couple times honing it is back to being a spike! Ouch!

Take Care,
R

Whilst only a newb myself I have a goatee and my first 2 and still favourite blades are 13/16 & 5/8 both square point W&B's I only really use the point for under my nose & side burn area near my ears.
For my goatee I usually use the middle of the blade and shave away form it while pulling the hair to keep the skin tight with out any problems I do this with squares & round points no difference that way
Never even contemplated muting them but you have to respect them, same as any other sharp edge on your face,
the only time the point has cut me (Touch wood) has been when I got excited with a recent purchase of a 1" W&B also square point and did a 3 razor shave with all for comparison and the auto pilot didn't allow for the extra length of the blade & nicked my ear slightly with the longer blade on the down stroke :gaah:
IMO It is only technique and we all have our own we learn and like, at the end of the day I don't think the point maters as much & it is more about learning to use the blade you have.
Others with more experience may say otherwise but just my findings so far,
I am sure you will enjoy your choice regardless

It seems many with goatees recommend shaving away from it towards the ear. May I ask why this is easier or recommended as opposed of ear to goatee? In my mind, pushing towards it would create a perfect line, but I'm new and clearly missing something (I currently have a full beard so haven't run into this issue yet).

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Originally Posted by MrWiggly

It seems many with goatees recommend shaving away from it towards the ear. May I ask why this is easier or recommended as opposed of ear to goatee? In my mind, pushing towards it would create a perfect line, but I'm new and clearly missing something (I currently have a full beard so haven't run into this issue yet).

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I've seen the odd guy do that in shaving videos but I never do. After my initial WTG pass I always go XTG from ear towards chin, whether I have a goatee or not (I currently do). That makes the most sense, at least to me, especially when you hit the beard line.