Thread: Rounding a spike point

I have a C-Mon Diamond you can see in the picture just after I restored it. It was in a pitted mess sitting there in the showcase and I got it for 20 bucks. I didn't know anything about straights, it just seemed like the best of the lot.

A trip to Ken Rup to hone it up and I was in business. I really like the razor quite a bit but that spike point can be a hazard and here's my dilemma. I like how a spike looks, but I'm not caring for it's pin point sharpness.

I'm still very much in the learning stages of straight razor shaving and I find the spike point to be one more thing to worry about when I'm shaving and I'm thinking of rounding it off.

If I do, what is the best method for doing so? I have a Punjab, two sided hone I picked up at an antique shop that I spent the better part of an afternoon getting lapped. I'm torn about changing the razor from the way it entered the world. Part of shaving with an old razor is the history. You know, will it look bad with the spike rounded?

Should I keep it original and suck it up? Or round off the point and tame that incredibly sharp point? And what is the best way to round off the point?

Thanks for any advice and help fellas.

Honsestly, its just practice. The first time I got a spike point I kept catching myself with it, but now I really like them.

So do bear in mind that eventually you'll get used to the spike and then it wont bother you. But if you round the tip off, it'll always be rounded off.

If you really do want to do it though, a low grit hone or a piece of 1000 grit sandpaper on a flat surface will do the trick. Just round the point off very lightly on the paper or hone and thats it. Two or three strokes will be plenty to take the lethality away, without dramatically altering the look of the razor.

If you do it on a hone, use the side of the hone not the top. Rounding off the point can leave gouges in the hone, and you dont want them in the surface you usually use for honing!

Leave the spike!

You'll probably cut yourself more often with blade's edge than the point anyway. With practice you won't even notice the spike. (I think I only ever caught myself a couple of times over the last year, and that was early on).

I personally prefer the look of non-rounded razors - and your razor looks nice as is!

All the best,
Michael

It's already rounded man! You should see some of mine. I'd leave it. It's something you'll start to remember is there. Nice razor. You've done a great job!

Don't do it. Chances are, it wont look as good as if it started life as a round point, you might not get it shaped right and every time you look at it, you will be wanting to kick yourself for doing it. It is a beautiful razor, don't turn it into an ugly razor.

As Ben says it is already slightly rounded. Leave it as it is.

That's a stunning razor. I especially love the hammered shank and tang. And it looks in perfect condition. I take it you don't have any before photos? How bad was the pitting and what exactly did you do to restore it? I'm asking because it looks perfect.

I also say leave it as is. If you really are afraid of the square point my barber said that they just put a small radius on the point with a hone just enough to break and dull the point. There is no need to round the whole end of the razor. Round points are more a style.

I also say don't do it! I had the same mentality for a awhile...Just liked the round tips..they seemed safer. Now I like the spikes because they can get the angles better..So hold on to it and your tastes will change over time...If you ant to alter it you chance ruining the form....If that's the case just buy a round tip and sell that one to help cover your cost.

As Ben & Scipio already pointed out that one has been neutered already, you should see the factory point...

Here:
C-Mon "Blackie" 6/8 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

and here:
C-Mon "Diamond" 11/16 - Straight Razor Place Wiki

The "Diamond" is a C-MON trademark, the hammered tang and the H.F. designate the name of that C-MON, as a "Hand Forged"

These razors when honed correctly are one of the best you will ever feel...

You have to really look hard to beat a Vintage C-MON razor for pure shaving pleasure...

Nice razor BTW

Hate C-Mon's, terrible shavers, don't hone well at all......get rid of them......

I round out spikes every day for people on a diamond plate. Takes very little effort to mute the point without changing the looks that much (personal opinion). A lot of guys don't like them and then as pointed out, many enjoy them after they get used to them. I find the biggest problems from them are the ear lobes and the cheek when shaving across the grain and you lean the spike into the face. Keeping the razor at a flat angle or with the spike angled away from the face will fix that.

Have fun,

Lynn