In a discussion elsewhere, I've encountered someone who claimed that the oft recommended round point razor is not the best choice for a beginner.
So, what do you think? What razor point style is best for a beginner, and why?
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In a discussion elsewhere, I've encountered someone who claimed that the oft recommended round point razor is not the best choice for a beginner.
So, what do you think? What razor point style is best for a beginner, and why?
I believe for a beginner I'd say the typical round point. Or even a spike point as long as the spike is muted. But mostly round point, there is so much going on in the beginning why have one more variable to consider i.e. nicking an ear or cheek.
A round point razor since you don't have to pay equal attention to the tip while learning all the other variables that come with shaving with a straight razor.
As a new shaver myself I just would like to add my two cents. I have two "round" points that are very different a Ralf Aust 5/8 that has a steep curve, and a Dovo best 5/8 that has a rather "flat"curve, and the point is also very sharp. I feel that as a beginner I have to pay equal attention to the point no matter which razor I use, whether it be a square point, french point, or round. As always YMMV.
If the new user "feels" more at ease with a round point then a round point should be used.
I really don't think it matters. A round point will cut just like a spike if used incorrectly.
I think a normal round point is best for a beginner. While it is possible to nick an ear or give yourself a dueling scar with one, it takes quite a bit more effort to do so. Any edge that is at or close to the point of the toe will be easier to damage yourself with.
Bob
While I won't dispute that a round point may be the best choice for a beginner I think that this advice is taken far too often as gospel.
I personally started with a muted square point and after six months of shaving I haven't done any major damage with any of my razors. I think one advantage of starting with a square point, or a muted spike for that matter, is that you start by paying close attention to where the toe is. The worry I would have is that if I had begun with round tips I may have developed a certain amount of complacency that would have come back to bite me when I finally stated using a square or spike.
My foundation for this is my first experience with a non-muted square resulted in a not particularly pleasant shave. I didn't clip my ear or anything nasty like that but the sharp and unyielding toe certainly caused some unintended damage as I carried on with the lax habits I developed with my muted razors.
I think everyone's first shave should be with a 13/16 slanted spike wedge. You'd learn REAL quick...might need reconstructive surgery, but you'd learn!
Having to be contrarian, I started out with an unmuted Dovo square point. No real problems apart from the usual mishaps in starting out. After that, I stayed with a few generic American square points from the first half of the twentieth century. Never really had a problem until a couple of years later, when I accidentally rolled the tip of a square point by running it off the stone in honing. That thing left a scratch like a squirrel's claw. Luckily, no Prussian dueling scar though. Since then, I've been very careful in honing the tip of any razor, muting tips of square points as a matter of course, whereas before I was a purist. In any case, with an non-muted square point, it's best to use a straight up-or-down or heel-leading pass, avoiding a toe-leading pass lest the toe dig in there.
Round point.
Another vote for round point for beginners, I have 3 or4 in my 10 day rotation.
A found a Square point (not a spike) a better option when I started & still prefer them over a round,
as you know exactly where the point is when using it, without the added length of the rounded point when trying to get into corners like the top lip to nostrils area etc
JMHO
I definitely like a square or spike for getting around my mustache and such. Im glad starting out though I had a round point. As long as one is careful I spose it really doesn't matter much.
I'm not much for the vintage razors where pricing isn't as much of a consideration. All 14 of my razors are new production or NOS. So my first advice would be buy what you like and learn to use it. Don't be pressured by "best for beginners" advice. Having been at this now for nearly two years, with razors in different sizes and point styles, yes, a round point is probably easier to learn with for a beginner. Let me hasten to add, my worst cut was on my first SR shave with a... wait for it... round point.
The round point, why, keeps you from possibly cutting your ear on that first downstroke. Yes?
What did I win?:beer1:
just about all of mine are evil spike or French point, or even worse a Max Sprecher point!( those of you who have one know) but every one of them has been rubbed on the bottom of my bathroom window sill to take off the dreaded point I don't know which would be best for a beginner cause I started with a spike,, but the ears would be a little safer Tc
My first razor was a barbers notch, and the second was a square end. I see the appeal of a round tip for a rookie. It looks much less intimidating.
Any mistake I've ever made with a razor, was my own fault, not that of the razor design.
To me , anything but a spike and some Frnech points that are not muted will work. All other points should be more user friendly.
Round Point... It gives the "Illusion" of being safer so it makes the newb more at ease..
They will cut ya just as fast, but Shhhhhh don't tell the new guys that :)
I think with a round point it helps avoid a certain type of cut that you are more likely to get with other points such as a spike point. A round point will most certainly still cut you all the same. OTH I do not see much use in muting a spike point as that negates it's much touted benefit of being better to trim with. Six of one half dozen of the other sort of thing.
Bob
When starting out I prefered the round point after cutting my ear a couple of times. In fact I still prefer a round point.
The don't think it matters. I started with a square point and prefer it over the round point, as others have mentioned round point will cut as much as a square point.
There is no reason to shy away from any point if you like the style of it. It is easier with a round point, but since you are learning a new skill anyway why not go for what you like.
When I say easier with a round point, I simply mean that there is less to worry about is all. Once you pick up the basics it won't matter too much. For what it's worth I still occasionally forget about the point and am promptly reminded by the razor when using my square point. It is always down to carelessness on my part though and is very occasional.
There is no real need for a square point unless you want to do detail work. For me the point is more about aesthetics than anything else, I usually find myself drawn to a barbers notch or Spanish point.
You will get lots of opinions here, but go with what you like and be careful. Once you get to grips with this hobby you will almost certainly get more razors anyway.
Enjoy.
The only thing with a round point is that you are less likely to cut your ear or get a dueling scar cut. Other than that they will cut you up in all the other ways. As always there are at least to ways to approach learning something. One is a graduated approach and the other is to jump in all out.Quote:
Originally Posted by Canuckshaver
Bob
Round point. Hard to catch an ear, nostril, jaw line or dig the point when you are learning proper methods. More strop friendly too for beginners
The whole visual appearance of the razor has a way of making new guys feel uneasy or comfortable.
A radical spike point looks much more intimidating than a round point. I don't think that the added subconscious uncomfort is something that something that a beginner needs to deal with.
Using a round point until totally comfortable with shaving skills makes the most sense.
Pete <:-}