Thread: Why on Earth were Square Tips Produced - it beats me?

I'm another one of those who are squarely in the camp of those who prefer square and spike toes. Part of this is the fact that I simply find round toed razors aesthetically unappealing. I am also a fan of the greater precision that I feel I can get with a square or spike toe, which has only increased as I've spent more time using these razors.

This probably accounts, at least in part, for the reason why my first razor was a square toe. The Shumate Barber in question was muted but even then it tended to be a reminder to keep my mind on what I was doing. I never hurt myself with that razor and I think it kept me out of trouble as my collection grew as I was already mindful of the toe.

The only razor that really bit me was my F.W.E Special, one that I'd qualify as a spike. My first time out with that razor probably rates in my top two most damaging shaves. I didn't actually cut myself with the F.W.E. but I did scratch myself pretty badly and I set the razor aside for quite a while as I reassessed my shaving technique. Now I can pick up almost any razor and go to work with no fear of the toe but I definitely have learned to utilize heel, toe and middle sections of the blade with discrimination.

With all of this I can say that I can wholeheartedly encourage new shavers to forego the round toes for a square (though I'd still advise muting it). This isn't to say that I would necessarily recommend the square toe in all cases but I know that many around here share my aesthetic preferences. Yes, the square toe is more likely to bite someone new but I found that pressure was a much bigger enemy than the toe. I also feel that the fear that the square toe engenders in most is a great reminder to keep your attention on the task at hand, which isn't a bad thing at all.

Is not liking a square toe sacrilege? I don't think so but then I believe, like so many things involved in our hobby, YMMV. Of course if anyone is avoiding them out of fear (assuming you haven't used one to produce a great Cut of the Day pic) then I tend to wonder how you found yourself using a straight razor in the first place.

I cut my ear lobe once, with a round tip. It bled for hours. I could only imagine what a square tip or spike would have done.

I've owned one true spike point and still have sever square points but my favorites are the round. It seems like when I go from round to square I always get little nick until I remember to watch more closely.

TBH, on spikes (muted) aside, I can easily trim up close with various type tips.
Round, square, spike, etc. Does not seem to make much of a difference.
Using a bad-pointed spike is not a good thing, nor necessary, IMO.

I am of the opinion these things get bad worse as we freshly hone them.
We are talking of more modern razors with totally straight edges?
This is why I hone them toward a smile, esp on the toe. Just a bit.
A slightly-rounded tip which will shave will get the job done perfectly.
Round or square!
YMMV

Wow, thanks for all of the interesting comments guys.

As a few guys have pointed out, immediately after honing is when they are most 'edgy'. As it's other peoples razors that I've just honed though, I'm not sure if I should be dulling the tip before shave-testing.

I suppose I could ask.

I prefer square points over round points because of the abiliy to trim better around facial hair. Like many others, I just mute the point slightly and all is well!

Originally Posted by BobH

Q. Why bother with a square tip if you are only going to blunt them?

A. Still manage to cut myself once in a while though.

Bob

A muted tip on a square point is every bit as precise as a spike.

Square, spike points do a much better job for me doing the detail work around the goatee.

Pete <:-}

Originally Posted by BeJay

A muted tip on a square point is every bit as precise as a spike.

I do use square/spike point blades none are blunted. It just seems, to me, kinda poserish to blunt them in the first place.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I do use square/spike point blades none are blunted. It just seems, to me, kinda poserish to blunt them in the first place.

Bob

I compare it to castration. To each his own.