Thread: Square or round end

Im a newbie so I hope you'll bear with me. I have two razors in my collection a Dovo Best and a Bolger Tree Brand. Both have round ends primarily, I must admit, because I'm a little scared to shave with a pointed end razor. It just looks like one can cut themselves on that point more easily. I want to add to my collection Is my fear misplaced?

I suppose you should ask yourself the following question: why do I want to use a square-point razor? One reason is that the edge, carried to point, will aide in establishing very defined lines for sideburns, moustaches, goatees, and the like. If that is not your goal, than you don't really need one.

That said, I started out with a square-point razor, just because it was said to be difficult for newbs. Main thing there is to use a heel leading pass for the most part, and never use a toe-leading pass. Straight up and down near the tip is fine for defining lines as mentioned above. Just be careful.

For a while I was really into square points. Then, in honing one, I accidentally rolled the point and didn't realize it. When I went to shave with it, it looked like I'd gotten into a fight with a caged racoon or something. Since then, I've always run the very tip through a cork to dull it, although this defeats the purpose of detailed lines I suppose.

As far aesthetics and tradition go, I think a square-point is a very nice blade.

Thanks for your help

Very early in my straight shaving I accidentally won a square point on ebay. I was a bit worried about it, but after my first shave I knew that any purchases or razors that I made would have a square point or equivalent.

Like you I was very apprehensive (hope I used the word right I'm as country as turnip green) but after using almost all of the different points I've found that once you get the basics down the point really don't make any difference. or at least for me.

To be honest IMHO, it really doesn't matter which tip you use, it's what your preference in the look is. I get just as good a detail line in my Van Dyke with round or spike. My preference in look is the French point( I know it is called something else )but I still have 2 round point razors that I use, and my lines are very accurate and clean with it as with my spikes. And I rub my spikes on the underside of my window sill to mute them, so do you need a straight spike? No! Do you like them? Then buy them. But they will dig n real quick if you go toe first, not being careful. Tc

The only difficulty i have had with different points is due to length of the cutting edge.
Many folks just slightly dull the very toe of a square tip blade. It all is what you become used to.
Care is required to assure the tip of the cutting edge is where it should be on your face. A longer blade can cause interesting complications; especially if it is a square or spike point.
So go with what you see as the best type of blade for you and your face + experience.
JMO
~Richard

I am pretty new to SR shaving myself, I do use square / french point razors for the purpose of detailing as previously mentioned. I have cut each ear once, not badly, (I just grazed the targus on each ear with the same Spanish point razor during my first two shaves with it) but I learned and did not repeat the issue. As long as you are careful and go slow while learning the particular razor, even if you do cut yourself it will not be bad, and should heal quickly.

I did cut my neck with a square point, that was from trying to do the straight down pass under my neck with the right hand while trying to go to far to the left. I should have switched to my left hand to continue shaving. Again the cut was not bad and healed after a few days.

Have that septic pen handy, it will take care of things.

Yup, the square/spike points can cut you if you get sloppy. Just cut my targus this morning as the razor reminded me to pay attention. That is my fault not the razors. No I do not mute the tips on these.

Bob

Sure, but that fear never stopped me from purchasing square and spike points within a few months of learning how to shave with a straight razor. I found my attention drawn very quickly to what the toe of the blade was doing, where it was at, etc. while shaving. As soon as you lose focus on the task, you wind up with a nice nick to remind of your lapse in attention. This happened to me just last week with a very familiar blade.

Ultimately, I didn’t want to limit my razor choices to round points. Want trumps need for me in this sport.