Spike points are better

You heard me!

At least for me they are...

I have yet to use a round point razor but I know me, and I'm pretty sure I would have cut myself many times if it wasn't for the healthy fear of of what a spike point can potentialy do if you don't pay attention. I think the toe of my razor has kept me a bit more focused where a round point may have given me the false impression that I could be less diligent I'm my shaving practices.

Although it has not all been red free with the spike, for a few days there I managed to barely touch the (I beleive it's called Targus) of both my ears, during repeated shaves. Giving me a pin point red spot on both sides of my face for a week. (I called em shaving dimples, priloudly I might add).


Anyone else find that, sometimes, the not so best way to learn something is actully the best way to learn something?


I hope some of this post made sense, I'm posting from the bar on my phone.

My first razor was a spike point,
my second was round point.
I personally do not find a difference except that the spike is useful for some delicate work here and there.
I was never negligent enough to cut myself with the spike.
I find the round point quite boring, and my favorite is Spanish point

I could see that. I personally like my spike point just because it makes precision trimming WAY easier and because it just looks cleaner than a round point.

Kevin

I like anything that's not round. I do like spikes; I'm also ok with slightly muted (like many Sheffield blades), but rounds make it tough for me to get close to my ears.

I wonder if Jockeys will come through to tell us his cautionary tale about square points...

Square points look more like a razor should look, like it could take off an apendage.

Well for me Spanish or French points look cool. I am especially fond of the useless barber's notch pointed blades. With any point I have to be aware at all times of where the point is relative to my physiognomy and I've miscued in front of my ear more times than I'd like to admit. :) Round points are boring and to my eye are not cool in the least. They do however provide a nice shave whenever I use them and I have quite a few.

I've noticed that when I go to web pages with assortments of new Dovos, TIs, or what have you they seem to make more round or semi round points than any other style. I wonder how many buyers of straights are first timers ? It would seem to me that the round would be less threatening to a newcomer than the fearsome spike.

I prefer spikes/square points over round points too.

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Originally Posted by TheBaron

I hope some of this post made sense, I'm posting from the bar on my phone.

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:beer1: :D

I like french points. I have much heavier beard growth in the mustache region than on the rest of my face, and that french point makes it much easier to get right up to the nostril.

As an added bonus, it makes trimming around facial hair much much easier.

My favorite is the Irish/French as well.

I own one spike and I love it - I don't feel a pressing need for many round points (unless the rest of the razor is particularily alluring). The spike also forces a bit more thought and control, resulting in a better shave all around.

I have yet to find a place on my face I can't shave with a round point. For some odd reason, I like them better aesthetically.:shrug:

Having owned a few dozen razors now, I've come to the opinion that my general opinion of what I like and what I actually own are so far removed it's a bit of a joke.

I don't like blade etching, but approx 2/3s of my hard core routine have it. I don't like round points, about half have them. I prefer shoulderless blades, I own two!

You get the idea, I love all of my personal razors and it takes quite a lot to make it into my box of keepers.

Spanish point, square point ,round and french point is my order of preference generally, but I'm in the middle of a heavy Little Valley razor period,so right now i guess it's spike points.http://straightrazorpalace.com/images/icons/icon10.gif

I like em all however I like to distinguish between a squarepoint and a true spike. The very few true spikes I have, have a slight flare outwards to the end while the square points are straight down. They look almost the same but they make a very big difference when you shave.

I know what you mean. If I'm not mistaken those are called dagger points too, although less commonly. Much like french and irish.

I like the square point better too! My first straight was a new round point (chosen because it was safer) but less than a year later my favourites are old used square tips. Yes I've cut the flesh in front of my ears with 'em, but I still like 'em better.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I like em all however I like to distinguish between a squarepoint and a true spike. The very few true spikes I have, have a slight flare outwards to the end while the square points are straight down. They look almost the same but they make a very big difference when you shave.

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I have a few of those and I love the look. I am careful when I shave with one though.

I agree. For me, I like spike points more than round points. Imho, they are better than round points, for the way I shave. My first razor was a spanish point, a Dovo Bergischer Lowe. I like the the trimming they provide, I have a thin mustache and goatee, with thin sideburns/chopps. My round point just is a lot harder to trimm with, than the spanish point. I also love the way the blade looks. The spanish point made me pay attention, way more. I did receive a poke from the point on my second shave. I think the spanish point made me a better shaver, much sooner, imho. I'm glad I chose the spanish point for my first razor. It just has a more useful purpose for me {spanish point}, than a round point. Not that my round point is a bad shaver, no way, it's awesome. It's a J.A. Henckels 72 1/2 Friodur 6/8 round point. I would trade that razor, for the same Henckels, in a spanish,or spike point in a heart beat. Actually I wouls just rather purchase another Henckels with a spanish point and keep my currant Friodur. That said, I would buy a spike, square, french, barbers notch, way before I buy another round point, imho. Also the looks are a cool bonus, Just my opinion.:nj

I like the fact that razors vary and that both square points and round points are out there. I like using both and have less of a preference of one point style over another than I have a preference for how the edge shaves.

I like both.

Chris L

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I like em all however I like to distinguish between a squarepoint and a true spike. The very few true spikes I have, have a slight flare outwards to the end while the square points are straight down. They look almost the same but they make a very big difference when you shave.

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Yes! The "dagger" points are a pain for me - you can't put the same leverage on the "point" because there is no spine above it, so I end up needing shave the delicate areas with the part of the blade that would be the point if it was a squarepoint, and occasionally that involves jabbing myself with the vestigial dagger point. But a square or nearly square point I love. And I find roundpoints easy to shave with in every, and great at getting in under the nose and around the ears. So I tend to look for roundpoints, but a squarepoint (or a squarepoint with a very mild dagger flare) rocks for me too. True dagger/spikes with the long flaring out point are defectively designed from a pragmatic perspective in my view, and I recently muted one on an otherwise awesome geneva cutlery with a sandpaper sponge, and now its even more awesome.

The Filarmonica NOS doble temples are great safe square points.

Here is one of my favorite spikes. This razor is almost purrrfect (Sheffield steel, hollow ground, shoulderless, spike, comfortable grip with great jimps, streamlined lines, smooooooth). It gave me a nice shave last night, I do not see spikes being any more dangerous than other points.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_S6Qq2M8hM4g/SY...0/P1030669.png

l like my 7/8's spike point. But it will give you a small reminder cut to pay attention and remind you its sharp. The spike point does come in handy for detail work, but a round point gets the job done well too.

What is more important to me is the following:
a) How well the blade takes an edge.
b) How sharp can it get and maintain it.

Size and style issues do not make a difference to me.

Pabster

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Originally Posted by Pabster

What is more important to me is the following:
a) How well the blade takes an edge.
b) How sharp can it get and maintain it.

Size and style issues do not make a difference to me.

Pabster

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You will get there one day, no worries. At some point, your will dump the bad ones out of your rotation and the style will dominate your RAD outbreaks. :beer2:

I am already there. It will take one heck of a straight blade to get into my rotation. On the short list under consideration: TI silver wing, Fridour, or another RW.

Pabster

Gentlemen,

Preference for a certain type of a razor point, obviously, is subjective, a matter of personal taste and shaving requirements. As a straight razor pilgrim, I don't believe one type of point is necessarily better for me than another. Each in its own place.

If I were to name my favorite straight razor point, it would be Spanish — I love the looks. I also like the square point, and the muted spike. The French point works well for trimming precision. The round point, which some call boring, I feel has its pluses, too. I have examples of all, and like each one for what it is.

Variation adds color to life — and to the world of straight razor shaving.

Regards,
Obie

Here are a couple, a Chandler and a Livi snake, that fall into the spike and wicked looking category. I am careful when shaving with either of these. :)

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Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Here are a couple, a Chandler and a Livi snake, that fall into the spike and wicked looking category. I am careful when shaving with either of these. :)

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Wow! Just......wow! I love those!!! I haven't yet had the chance to try a spike, but I love how they look. I have a square point and a round point and like the look of the square point better, but the round is a German razor and shaves better than the square so I've been using that more often.

Not to mention it was honed by Sham. ;)