Thread: Point or Round?

So I am in the market for my first real* straight razor. I am trying to decide on whether I should get a razor with the toe rounded off or ground to a point? Someone please shed some light on the topic. What are the advantages? What are the disadvantages?

*I have been using a horrible shavette. Razor burn and cuts left and right.

It's a mostly a personal preference. I used only rounded blades for a few months and then found that I liked spiked or squared tips equally well. It also matters about the width of the blade. A 5/8 or 6/8 seems about right for me but I haven't tried a full inch of steel yet. The 3/8 and 4/8 are a little too small to my tastes. As far as pros and cons, I'll leave that to someone that has been through them all.

i've read it's easier to reach certain spots like the upper lip with a point, but that a round point is more forgiving for beginners.

i do like the round point i have and i do think that is very easy to begin with because i felt more comfortable with the rounded point. however now i do want to get a spiked point because personally i think its easier to see the point in the mirror and where the blade ends

I think a spike point is more beautiful. It really just comes down to your taste. They say that with a spike point it is easier to jab yourself with the point, but I haven't managed to do that yet.
But you really can't take our word for it. You have to try them yourself and find out what works best for you and what you like best. This is all very subjective.

Welcome at first.
if this will be your first blade go with round blade. anyway you are not going to stop buying blades. it will continue forever. gl. and

Welcome to SRP.

I have square, Spanish, French, round and others that I don't know what you call them. I like them all except the super sharp spikes or squares. They are fine if the very ends are very slightly smoothed out with a hone. As mentioned above, if you enjoy shaving with a straight you will own them all before it is done.

If you are cutting yourself with a shavette you will cut yourself with a straight. If you have not looked at the WIKI for shaving tips, that would be a great place to double check your techniques.

I like to shave with all of the point styles but I don't have to be as conscious of where the point is when shaving with a round as I do with the others. I get good shaves with a round and can get to anyplace that I can get with a spike point or whatever. As has already been said a round doesn't look as cool but it is a good choice for a beginning shaver. If you want to avoid cuts and nicks read my sig and follow what it says. It works for me.

Quite a few experienced users, myself included, prefer square or spike points. I really is a matter of personal preference though.

Usually the recommendation of a round tip for a 1st straight razor is because they are a little more forgiving, and it gives you one less aspect to think about while learning to shave (watch the point!).

For your specific situation I ask; have you been cutting yourself with the point on your shavette? If you have, you might start with a round point or a barbers notch. If you haven't, take your pick of all of the available options.

In the end, you'll probably end up trying them all and deciding for yourself what point (and grind, width, type of steel, manufacturer, etc.) you prefer. If you ask 10 members here what their favorite style of razor is, you'll probably get 10 different answers.

im new too, but +1 for what bubba said,
if the tip of your shavette doesnt scratch you, you should be fine with whatever you want.
and, id cut myself alot with shavette too, they are so light i cant feel what im doing as well, cant feel the blade touching my skin