Thread: Why don't French razors come with French points?

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I know you hate searching, but there was already a thread about this. The same statements were made there, though the bit about the German helmets was new IIRC.

Yes I hate searching. I like discussing. Can you send a link to that thread, as I could not locate it when I did a quick search myself.

I've seen Bill Ellis state that the proper name for a French point is actually an Irish point. Couldn't tell you any more info than that.

The "proper" name for it is probably an "oblique point", but where is the fun in that?

"Oblique" is not fun?

I'd argue the point isn't even obilque. The angle shouldn't ever be more than 90 degrees. A round point however, would be oblique.

Anyway I love razors where the edge is longer than the back/spine.
I have a Veritable J magnol of Theirs that is a mild Oblique/French/Irish point razor.
I love 'em.

Originally Posted by Lucius

I've seen Bill Ellis state that the proper name for a French point is actually an Irish point. Couldn't tell you any more info than that.

I believe an Irish point is something different. IIRC, it is like a round point from the spine to half width and then like a square point from half width to the cutting edge.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I believe an Irish point is something different. IIRC, it is like a round point from the spine to half width and then like a square point from half width to the cutting edge.

Yeah, that's my understanding too, FWIW. The "Irish" point kind of slopes almost linearly forward directly to a spike point, where the "French" point is more rounded. The picture below shows my understanding of a more-or-less Irish point at the top, French point on bottom:

That top one is a beauty. Joseph who made it?
Thanks Fatboy.

Originally Posted by littlesilverbladefromwale

That top one is a beauty. Joseph who made it?
Thanks Fatboy.

Thanks! That reads "Joseph Fenton & Sons, Cutlers, Sheffield"

It's about 7/8ths and has nice bone scales that aren't shown in the picture. I got it cheap because some bored previous owner had used a red marker to color the inside of the bone "pore holes" red at the end of the scales! Still looks and shaves very nice, tho...