Thread: How do I properly round a square or spike point razor?

First I want to thank everyone who has contributed to showing newbies how to wet shave, safety razor and straight razor shave.

I've actually had a fun and relaxing time doing this. I was talking to my mom and mentioned that I was using a straight razor, I thought she was going to cry because saying that brought up memories of her watching my grandpa shave when she was a little girl.

I've been using a round point to shave and so far no nicks with it, fantastically close shaves.. I got a new (used refurb) square point, after I opened my face up (Bled like crazy) the first time I tried it I thought a rounded blade is a better choice for me.

What is the best way to round off a square or spike point so that I don't damage the blade. I have several that I want to do this to, they are all full hollow ground, Solingen marked blades.

Thanks

Mike

P.S. the scar looks pretty badass, but you do get a few weird looks when you tell them how you got it.

You really don’t want to round off the edge, like a round point, the chances of damaging it are too great.

You can mute the point by lightly dragging the point on a high grit stone.

Chances are you will want the point when your technique improves, so just dull the point very lightly, so it can be restored.
Points are very handy, but you do have to be careful.

Most probably it is your technique and you are trying to shave with too much of the blade.

Shave with just one inch of blade at a time, either the tip, heel or middle. If you try to shave with 3 inches of blade on a non-flat surface… your face… the toe or heel will cut you… even with a round point.

I'll try that first. It was totally my fault, from the way it cut I think I know what I did wrong. Like everyone says "Pay Attention"..
I don't consciously try to use the entire blade, when I got cut I was concentrating on the heel and wasn't paying attention to the point, and dropped the point right in my cheek. One lesson learned..

Thanks

There is a member here, I can't remember who, that recommends lightly dragging the tip of a spike point through the underside of a wooden window sill. It won't take much to mute the point, just be sure not to damage it.

I have a few spike points and I don't like the spike either. As was said a stroke or two on the finisher of your choice works well. You should be able to bring it back to a spike on the very next sharpening. I have a spot near the edge of my right nostril where I will get bit if the spike is sharp. It is all about personal preference and I prefer not to get bit.

Like many here I started with 5/8 and 6/8 round points
Early encounters with Spike and Square points where bloody - I have this Red Imp that was trying to remove my ear (I was convinced)

Fast forward a few hundred shaves and I try again with a loaner and I'm won over by the end of the shave.
Working around a Mo is so much easier with the Square/Spike/Barbers/Spanish, now its all I use.
Loose focus for a moment and there will be blood BTW.

So mute it if you must - and shaving is very YMMV, but a good workman never blames his tools...

Smooth Shaving...

If I'm going to mute one, I do it while setting the bevel. On the last stroke or two, lift the heel to really hone the toe. Again, just for one stroke or two.

That member has since switched to a barber's hone as I understand it......I don't think he would like to be reminded of window sill method which may have been passed on to him as a practical joke by a more experience straight razor user Anyway, it wasn't me, I started with a shavette so I thought you were supposed to bleed when you shaved. When I got a spike point...my first razor...easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Originally Posted by ChopperDave

There is a member here, I can't remember who, that recommends lightly dragging the tip of a spike point through the underside of a wooden window sill. It won't take much to mute the point, just be sure not to damage it.

I love the spike and square points!!

The type of point may be moot. Your facial contour (like RezDog's nostril) may be the major contributor to nicks and slices.

Case in point, if I attempt a down stroke on my cheek with any type of point I will get a slice. I have the scars to prove this.

When I do my cheeks I absolutely most stretch upward on the cheek and shave XTG.