Thread: Watch those spike points!

If you're a noob like me, and decide to buy a spike point as your first razor, be careful. Was shaving today and put a nice 1.5" vertical slice into the middle of my right cheek. I didnt even know I was cut until the blood started flowing. It was even in the easiest area to shave, but apparently it doesnt take much for that tip to dig in. I'm gonna have to wait until my other razor returns from Lynn now as cuts like that aint for me.

It takes a few weeks before you get used to keeping track of the tip, but once you've got a little experience under your belt they're no trouble at all.

I've got one of those, same location. On a good note the scar's gone

This is not good news! I haven't shaved with a straight yet and the only starter razor I could find is a square point. I am in the process of buying it now. Guess I will keep looking for a round point and still get the square...but I will think twice before I go crazy shaving.

I'm with mparker on this one. Spike points aren't as bad as they're reputed to be.

I learned on two razors, a spike point and a round point. One day, I was shaving with the round point and feeling pretty confident. As I was shaving my left sideburn area, I failed to notice that the tip had slid into the lower part of my ear. I merrily sliced downward and cut through the tissue of my lower ear. It bled for 30 minutes, and I worried that I was going to need stitches. I didn't touch my straight for a week after that.

If I'd had a spike or square point, I think I would have been more aware of that tip. I also might have felt the tip in my ear; the round point curved away from my skin, so it wasn't touching as I started the stroke.

I have yet to seriously nick or cut myself with a spike point razor.

Most of the razors I sell are square or spike points, because for some reason these seem to be more common than round ones. If I really felt they were dangerous, I wouldn't sell them to newbies.

Also, if you're really concerned about it, you can run just the point along a hone to dull it slightly. I don't think it's necessary, because most vintage "spike" point razors actually have a slight curve to the tip already.

Shave safely,
Josh

Originally Posted by Bear

This is not good news! I haven't shaved with a straight yet and the only starter razor I could find is a square point.

A square point isn't the same thing as a spike! Square points frequently have the corners radiused a tad, but spike points have an actual point that sticks out from the tip of the razor a bit. It's that extra half millimeter of tip that gets you when you're starting out.

My problem was that I just wasn't being careful. When starting out you have to be slow and deliberate. You can't rush, whether you're using a spike, a square or a round point. Speed comes with practice.

+1 on what mparke and Josh said.

Spikes and square points are not that difficult to learn on - I think several people here learned with a spike (myself included) and I think it encourages proper technique and care from day one.

Also, there are a lot more vintage spikes/squares around and being confident with any style of tip just gives you more options.

Finally, once you're comfortable with a spike/square the tip that's so bothersome at first is a real asset in getting at those stray wiskers in tight spaces.

By the by, my worst cuts had nothing to do with the tip of my razor and the only time I cut my ear was with a roundpoint!

Originally Posted by mparker762

A square point isn't the same thing as a spike! Square points frequently have the corners radiused a tad, but spike points have an actual point that sticks out from the tip of the razor a bit. It's that extra half millimeter of tip that gets you when you're starting out.

What you're describing is more of a French point. Square point razors are frequently if not usually sold as "Spike" points. Case in point the 'Spike' brand which is a perfect square. Since this is a terminology in use to describe them all in the same group I think we shouldn't mislead people into thinking that they're getting some kind of special "Spike" razor when it's just a normal Square. My W&B is as you describe a "Spike" and operates EXACTLY the same as my DD Spike/Square point. Short version ... Same Dif.

Rule number one is be aware of the whole edge is at all times.

Also, a 15-30º Cutting Angle (leading slightly with the tip in the shaving stroke) can reduce a lot of these kinds of mistakes. Putting that tip first makes you think about it.

Finally, rounding off any needle point sharpness on your Spike tip by drawing it roundly, point down on the 8k side of your Norton us a good idea and you'll only need to do about 3 or 4 strokes per year this way to keep it safe.

X

I'm gonna have to disagree with you X. I've got a Union Spike too (I'm assuming that's what you meant by your "Spike" brand) and it's as I described it, the part of the tip near the spine looks like a square point, but about midway down the blade it angles forward just a bit towards the tip. French tips do this too, but they start their angle at the spine, and seem to be a bit more rounded. Some square tips have pretty abrupt corners at the spine and bevel, but some are a bit more rounded on both ends - there may be a different name for the rounded square tips though.