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Hi all,
Basically I've decided to get started with the sight unseen deal from whipped dog after seeing a lot of good feedback for him on here. The thing is I have a beard and I was wondering if a pointed blade would be better than curved one for trimming the beard? I've heard pointed blades can be more difficult to use for beginners but I dont want to get something that cant do a decent job of trimming the beard.
Cheers
I can't imagine why a rounded blade couldn't handle the task. I think the rounded blade would be your best first choice.
If you are planning on cutting your beard into odd shapes like scroll work, then maybe, but not likely.
As a newbie, I have had the opportunity to shave with a point...and the rounded. The point is rather easy to scratch and dig in - from personal experience. The rounded seems to be more forgiving of my "skill-less set".
The problem with a spike for a beginner is that when starting one tends to not have good blade control. When using a straight straight across you cheek, for instance, is the pressure along the cutting exactly equal? Or is it supposed to be? The beauty of a straight is that one can put more or less pressure on any part of the blade and with a spike that has to be controlled. For me personally I had been using a straight for almost a year and it was a challenge to go to a spike. Got a few scrapes...
Later,
Richard
While I certainly can't argue that a round point is more forgiving for someone starting out...it just makes sense...I started out with square points. I nicked my earlobe twice, that was it. Never hurt, though it did bleed.
I believe that if you start out with a point you'll never have to "re-learn" anything to shave with a round. But, if you learn with a round, you may have to re-learn different strokes when you go to a point, which is why many guys who started with a round tip have problems going from there to a point.
Currently I have beard, but I keep it shaped and trimmed with my straights, shaving my neck and small portions of my cheeks. For that, I much prefer the square points over the round. I could still keep things generally the same with a round point, but wouldn't have as sharp of angles.
FWIW!
Peace,
Jim
I'd vote for a round point also. Can't beat it for a first shaver I think.
you could go for either. the square point is more precise and easier to use for that purpose by an experienced shaver. but it is less forgiving as you are more likely to get cut by the point. I think a french point is what you want. try to opt for that if it is available.Quote:
Originally Posted by NewMan
Dan
Ok well it seems like theres an argument for going either way. Think I'll probably go for the safer option and get one with a round tip. I'm going to give your man at whipped dog a shout and see what he has. I'll let you know how I get on. Cheers!
Larry is just one of many folks selling razors. Check them all out.
When I got my first square point, I would occasionally nick myself around the ears but nothing bad. Once you get the feel of the razor and your technique down, it'll just come down to preference but they'll all shave great.
The grind of the razor is going to make the most difference to be honest.
I wouldn't buy "sight unseen" anything from anybody. Choose a razor that YOU want.
There are many good deals out there, also in the Classifieds here.
My first razor was a spike, and a deadly one at that. It taught me respect. I think it's most dangerous when it come up against the area just under your ear lobes, when shaving down the jawline. I think method is the same, basically, regardless of it's a spike, rounded, Spanish or whatever point, I very rarely actually USE the toe of the razor to shave; I use mainly the heel and the body. In regards to the reasoning behind the original question (ref beard trimming) I use only the heel to trim around my goatee, moustache and soul patch, the toe doesn't enter in to the equation. Generally, all I do with the toe is watch it doesn't dig in or slice off my ear lobes.
Having said all that, it's clear to me from the design of very early razors that they were 'all toe', with almost no heel and tapering like denim flares to a wide toe. It appears it may have been pivoted from the heel quite a lot, cutting with the top third towards the toe end, whereas I pivot from the heel only a little, cutting mainly with the belly and heel as said. I find, also, that the width of the razor determines the action, a narrow (4/8 or less) means your gripping digits can almost get in the way of shaving much with the heel, and make shaving with the toe a better option. Many narrow razors have little heel...
Get the rounded point to begin with. I have a Henckels that has a square point and I've cut myself more with that razor that I have with anything else.
Go with rounded points to begin with and you'll cut yourself way fewer times, IMHO.