Thread: 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

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?

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.

Originally Posted by carlmaloschneider

soul patch

Carl, what's a soul patch?

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Carl, what's a soul patch?

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

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Carl, what's a soul patch?

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.