Thread: Dealing with a square point

Hi folks,

I've got a couple of square point razors and I'm considering blunting the point slightly to keep from getting bit by it every time I shave. I find that with a square point, it seems that if I even get near the skin, I'll get a nick. Some folks have recommended running the point across a hone to dull the edge, but I'm not sure I want to risk taking off too much metal. What do you square point shavers do? Do you just live with it or do you dull the point?

Ed

Originally Posted by EdinLA44

Hi folks,

I've got a couple of square point razors and I'm considering blunting the point slightly to keep from getting bit by it every time I shave. I find that with a square point, it seems that if I even get near the skin, I'll get a nick. Some folks have recommended running the point across a hone to dull the edge, but I'm not sure I want to risk taking off too much metal. What do you square point shavers do? Do you just live with it or do you dull the point?

Ed

I have 6 razors and 5 of them are square points. None of
them have the point dulled. I can only assume that it is
luck instead of skill that has prevented me from nicking
or cutting myself. I actually like the looks of the SP
better.


Terry

I have a few SP and a french point I have n't been cut anymore by them than by my round points.

Well, it must be my technique then. I consciously try to watch the point but if I even try to use the outside 1/3 of the blade then I usually end up getting nicked.

Ofcourse I dull the point, the very edge. Its crazy not to. The point should still shave without trouble. I raise the blade at a 45 degree angle and wipe it along the edge of the hone. Honing will over sharpen the tip or point and you'll tear yourself up on what is essentially an overhoned tip. You want the edge of the razor shaving all the way to the tip but the tip NOT cutting or tearing the skin.

I'd say if the entire 1/3 of the edge is a problem that it may be overhoned in that one section.

I had trouble w/ the SP as well. My first good straight was a Dbl Duck Dwarf (still have it) and had the SP ground into a RP by Stoddard's Cutlery as I was living in Boston at the time. I like the RPs much better. I think they're more forgiving. Anyway, maybe one of the honemeisters here can round off the point for you.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

Ofcourse I dull the point, the very edge. Its crazy not to. The point should still shave without trouble. I raise the blade at a 45 degree angle and wipe it along the edge of the hone. Honing will over sharpen the tip or point and you'll tear yourself up on what is essentially an overhoned tip. You want the edge of the razor shaving all the way to the tip but the tip NOT cutting or tearing the skin.

I'd say if the entire 1/3 of the edge is a problem that it may be overhoned in that one section.

Out of the 5 sp's I have.
1 was Lynn hones
3 were honed by Bill
1 was honed by Joe Chandler

Perhaps the tips weren't overhoned....
So that may be the reason why I've had no
problems with a sp.

Terry

I always tend to clip my earlobes with a SP. But to avoid cutting my face, I've found that if I concentrate on shaving with the center of the blade I don't get nicked by the tip.

Yes, earlobes were my hotspot w/ a SP as well. I think they were mainly for barber's use, as they could see more of what they were doing w/ it. Also good for defining the edges of a Clark Gable moustache

Originally Posted by wvbias

Out of the 5 sp's I have.
1 was Lynn hones
3 were honed by Bill
1 was honed by Joe Chandler

Perhaps the tips weren't overhoned....
So that may be the reason why I've had no
problems with a sp.

Terry

Jesus, who's next in your rotation. You've got a bull pen of honemiesters in you living room?