Thread: Getting to the Point

I like spikes, learned on a spike and have never cut an ear or had any bad cuts.

No question, a spike can cut you, but you will learn to shave with a light hand, and pay attention. It’s kind of like the sharp knife, theory. With a sharp knife you use less pressure and are safer.

I shave with the whole razor and I especially ensure the tip and the heel are fully honed.

The point is very handy, and come on admit it, spikes and square point, just look better.

I use them all. I really don't get the "precision" argument. That last millimeter of a spike point for me doesn't do much.

I learned on a square point. So long as it's not too square (slightly rounded at the point) it's a non issue as far as I am concerned.

I have a round point that came to me with a chip. Now I have removed the said round point is no actually sharp and more of a hazard than my square points.

I have & use all types of blades & I really like a Spanish Point a lot. But I like them all really. To me the weight & type of grind is more important than the point. I love big old W&B near wedges but I don't think I can say I have a favorite razor any more. As much as I love my vintage straight's I just finish honed & stropped a Shanghai made Double Arrow 6/8" round point that is a real good & well built razor. Used it this morning after 50 rounds on my Jager shell strop & I can't tell a lot of difference from my vintage straight's.
I guess you should try them all & find what works for YOU!

I will jump on the square-heel team here as I have facial hair, and as such, actually find the shape of the heel ha more impact on my clean lines than the point does. Like everyone else here has stated, YMMV for each and every user but the point is not always the first consideration I have...it is more of an afterthought for me when making a buying choice.

Originally Posted by bluesman7

Shortly after starting with a straight I acquired a square point somewhat by accident. I was a bit intimidated at first, but immediately loved it to the point that all of my razors now have square toes AND HEELS. I also wear a Van Dyke and find the square heels especially useful for cutting in lines of my beard.

You can also easily mute the spike on glass or a fine stone without affecting the appearance or usefulness of the razor.

Your response got my mind working and I quickly realized that the square heel is probably at least as useful in trimming around a beard as a square toe. More food for thought and I have to admit to admiring the simple elegance of these razors.

Originally Posted by tcrideshd

This is an area I tend to disagree, not much cause I like a square point, but all mine are muted, not so you can tell but they are. My shaving is pretty good these days so I can shave with them, but my disagreement is the precision factor. I have and use round tip razors along with, spikes, I wear a Van Dyke and my lines are cut as clean as any out there. And more to add is I haven't found it any more difficult with the round tip. Plus my Kamisoris are very nimble but my lines are no better with them than with a round tip. Just my opinion, so if precision is the goal, that's in the hands of the man using the razor. Tc

This is probably the most honest assessment, I suspect. While the razor design might facilitate precision the actual determining factor is going to be the skill of the individual. In my case that skill is nonexistent but then we all started from essentially the same place!

Thanks to everyone for your help! I'm probably going to avoid a spike for now but I'm unlikely to simply avoid a square point simply based on fear, particularly when I can mute the point if needed. Since I'm attempting to get started on a budget this discussion has been more about what to avoid than what I expressly want to purchase but any additional bit of knowledge at this point is certainly helpful.

I have them all. I ordered a Mastro Livi and I thought I was ordering a Spanish Point instead I ordered a barbers notch. When I got it I really liked it. Enables me to get in close places without worrying about the point. They look intimating, but once you try one you'll find it really shaves very well.

My first razor was a round point, then got a French point, barbers notch and spike point. Like everyone else I agree about precision using all of them. I grew a mustache trimmed half height like Clark Gable also a V shaped goatee and was able to keep nice straight lines using any one of my razors. I just acquired the spike point recently and drew blood just bringing it to my face I had to focus a lot too on the position on the point. My neck area was a challenge.