Razor Tip: squared or rounded

Hello group!

This is my first post and I wouldn't described myself as a newbie but more of a "wanabe", because I have yet to purchase a razor (or used one). I have been looking at and reading about different razors. There are two razors that I am considering purchasing, the Dovo Best Quality or the Dovo Ebony Spike. My question is should a novice begin with a rounded tip to develop their skill then graduate to a square tip or would a square tip be fine if I am extra vigilant. I dont want to be too paranoid/nervous using the square tip as to not enjoy the shave itself.

I have also notice on reading parts of this website there was mentioned of being assinged a mentor. I have not been able to find where I can request having one. Can someone direct to where I can request a mentor.

Dave

There are many opinions but I think many would say round point and many would also say it doesn't matter. I personally think a round point would be "better" as I feel that my square point just has a little bit more of a chance to nick me and when starting you probably want to have the lowest nick/cut risk as possible.

Aside from that it is really preference, once I got used to my spike point I liked it better than using my round. Surely others will give their opinion but in the end it's just a personal decision.

Good luck and welcome to SRP!

First off, welcome to SRP,

Either point style will work fine, although there is more bloodshed involved with a square or spike tip. If you don't have a strong preference for a square tip, like trimming around a goatee for example, I would suggest that a round tip is a better choice.

The spikes draw blood with everyone, up to and including the most experienced shavers, so why add that to your learning curve now?

With regard to the Mentors, there really isn't a program to match up a Mentor with a new shaver. What I would suggest is that if you have a problem or question that you would like to work on (without the background noise that sometimes accompanies a forum thread) send one of the Mentors a pm.

For hands on guidance usually geography dictates how things work out. Many of the more experienced members are willing to meet with someone to provide a little coaching. Another alternative, and a really good one, is to attend one of the get-together meetings. They are usually pretty well publicized on the forum.

I got a Dovo Special for fairly cheap and it has the rounded tip. Being a noob myself, I think the rounded tip was the way to go. Not a problem doing the cheeks, but when moving to more advanced areas like the upper lip, I could tell that if I had a spike I would be putting a few nicks in my nose. PM me if your are interested in the Special vendor. His price is about the same as the Best Quality at other places.

After a recent thread with another new-ish shaver, I'm inclined to suggest the square tip to start off with. You WILL nick yourself at some point with any razor. The round tips are more forgiving only at the tip, otherwise they're just as sharp and apt to nick/slice/cut you as a square tip. My first real nick came when I just barely caught my ear lobe with a square tip. It bled like crazy, but didn't hurt, didn't scar, and didn't even leave a perceptible scab, but it reminded me how careful I need to be while shaving.

I think if you do start with a round point and then somewhere along the line you pick up a square point, you'll need to be mindful that some of the muscle memory you've built up shaving with a round point, may need to be altered. On the other hand, if you start with a square and then pick up a round, you aren't going to have any re-learning to do.

JMHO

AND, welcome to SRP!

For your first razor a round tip would be a little safer. But a little blood loss can be a great teaching tool when it comes to reminding a straight razor user to pay attention. Gave myself a refresher lesson just the other day.

Just IMHO, a round point is not cool looking. A square point is and some of the more exotic, French or Spanish, are even more so. I have some round points and find them to be fine to shave with. The place I've most often nicked myself with the square point is the ear in front of the sideburn. One of the first things I was told on shaving with a straight, regardless of point style, is to always be aware of where the point is. If you pay attention to where it is you are less likely to nick or cut yourself. I would suggest you start out with a round point unless you are shaving around a beard or a goatee. Welcome to SRP and the wonderful world of straight razor shaving. Read my sig line below to avoid nicks and cuts. :gl:

Hello, Bluegrass:

Welcome to Straight Razor Place.

For starters, I recommend a round point. I would rather see you focus on honing your skill with the straight razor and without the extra dose of adventure a spike mike pose. You have plenty of time for spikes, square points, Spanish points, and so on.

I'll be more than happy to mentor you, if you like. You're welcome to drop me a personal message.

Regards,

Obie

My recovering earlobe is whispering to you the word: 'round'.

heheheh :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Obie

I'll be more than happy to mentor you, if you like. You're welcome to drop me a personal message.

Regards,

Obie

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Dave,

Take Obie up on the offer - I did. He's a great mentor and a true gentleman!

I was so hyped about starting to use a straight. When I received my first straight, a spike point flawlessly honed by Lynn, my first thought was "OMG, I'm never going to have the b*lls to put that thing to my face". Even though Obie is in Wisconsin and I'm in Alabama, he "talked me off the ledge" and was a cool, calm voice amidst my newbie panic.

As for spike vs. no spike, I don't think you can go wrong with either. I chose the spike as I usually sport a Van Dyke, and the spike makes it easier to define the edges. I also have to agree with Jimmy - spikes and other non-rounds just plain look sexier. That being said not all of my razors are spikes. Obie encouraged me to have Lynn mute the spike, but (sorry Obie) that is one piece of his advice that I, uhmmm, ignored. As others have noted, having the spike means you must really be cognizant of where the spike is at all time. Of all the nicks (mostly minor) I've given myself, none of them have had anything to do with the spike, he said, looking for wood upon which to knock:)...

Welcome to SRP!

Greg

I say go with the rounded. You are going to have your hands full as it is learning the mechanics of shaving with a straight razor. Why add to the complexity from the beginning? True, like Big Jim said, you could try and get it out of the way by learning it from the start, but I think MOST newbies would rather sacrifice that benefit and learn to HOLD and USE a rounded tip before stepping up to something a little more....pokey!

Trust me, once you get halfway proficient with a straight, you're always going to be on the lookout to picking up more, and you can easily pick up a square pointed razor down the road. At least then, you won't be too concerned about learning how to shave, and instead you would only be focused on the sharp corner.

;Square! Get it over with, or get it right!;) It really does not matter IMO ! "The edge is still there, round or square !"

Whoever hones your razor can dull the tip of a square tipped razor, and it will be almost as safe as a round tipped razor in my opinion. It takes just a second, is easy to do, is not visible, and can be easily undone during rehoning.

After dulling, just the very fraction of an inch of the tip is dulled. But, if done correctly, you can hold the blade at a 45 degree angle and drag it across the palm of your hand without any danger of cut.

Think about it. Every time you cut yourself with the tip, the cut starts at the very tip. By dulling, the tip never sinks into your face. Using an analogy, the dulled tip acts like a flotation device holding the rest of the cutting edge from sinking into your flesh.

If you dull the tip - and it is easy enough to do that with a modest amount of instruction you can do it yourself - I don't think you should avoid square tips at all.

IMO it really doesnt matter, its personal preference, but if you learn on a spike a round tip will be easy whereas if you learn on a round tip you will have to learn the spike. Spikes are unforgiving and will ruthlessly take you to task for your indiscretions. A great teacher.

Pick the one that you like the looks of best its going to be your razor so it should fit your personality. If the square is the one that you must have so be it, or go for the round it they are both pro honed they will both shave equal.

Just get both of them and save yourself the tough decision this way you can learn to shave with both. Just be careful of the square point they are known to bite.