Thread: Like Spike?

I debated whether or not to drop this in the Newbie forum, but since it’s pretty hardware-specific, I decided on here. I’ll start off by claiming total newbie-ness (or would that be “newbie-osity”?). I’ve been shaving with a straight razor for a couple months now (graduated from DEs), and have thus far used mostly a Feather AC. I recently added a Dovo 5/8 round point to my rotation as well, and will soon weave in an interesting vintage A.J. Hague & Co. 5/8 round point with a worked back and carved scales (which incidentally was beautifully restored for me by Bill Ellis).

Anyway – blah blah blah… As a moustache and goatee wearer, I’ve thought that using a spike point razor would facilitate better/easier precision coverage in and around those tight spots. My question is this: are they really as nasty as they appear, visually? I mean, would I be correct in assuming that the actual “point” is in fact at least a bit rounded off? Or are they, as Josh proclaims, suitable for ear-piercing??

Inquiring goatees want to know!

Thx,
Randy

Randy,

Unless someone ground the point off they
are square.

All in all they aren't bad at all. I started off
with one and had no problem at all.

No reason why things should be any different
for you. Just be mindful of the point though.



Terry

I do like spikes. They allow me a bit more precision in certain areas. They're not all that nasty - as long as you always pay attention to where the spike is. You know you're gonna end up with one evenutally. I'd say give'em a try.

Jordan

you can always drag the tip on your hone or sandpaper and dull it a bit.

I started with a spike, there were some accidents but not that bad. You do have to be careful, as said earlier. I use mostly round points or barber's notches now, but still have a couple of spikes.

Cheers
Ivo

Guys - thanks for the informative (and quick!) replies. So... allow me follow that question up with another dumb question - when you shave with a spike point, does the spike itself actually come in contact with your skin? I'd assume so, but again with no previous experience I'm gathering as much data as I can... I’m just imagining a scenario in which, even with light pressure on a shaving stroke, if the point is indeed really pointy and it depresses ever-so-slightly into the skin… How can it not cause a gnarly laceration?

Randy,

Not a dumb question at all.....

For me the point doesn't normally make contact.
The only time that it would need to is if trimming
along the edge of a goatee etc.

Now this is just me. Others may do things a
little different.

Don't be shy or hestitant about asking any
question. You may get a boat load of answers,
but at least one of them will be right for you.......


Terry

Randy,
When I shave with spikes, I make a conscious effort to keep the spike away from the skin. Honing the edge to a slightly smiling profile helps as well. Good luck.

I've never had a problem with them digging in. If I'm shaving a flat portion of my face, cheek for example, the point just glides over with the rest of the edge.

The only time I've cut myself with the spike is if I'm working a particular area - lets say with the heel, and the spike "bridges" over and makes contact with a surface that I'm not aware of....I may not be articulating this well, but I hope you get the picture. You also need to really watch your ears.

Jordan

Originally Posted by FiReSTaRT

Randy,
When I shave with spikes, I make a conscious effort to keep the spike away from the skin. Honing the edge to a slightly smiling profile helps as well. Good luck.

Thanks FiRe - that's along the lines of what I was thinking. It just struck me that having a truly pointed tip - i.e., a hard 90 degree angle corner with one edge obviously razor sharp - would be a recipe for disaster. A slant bar on steroids! Futhermore, I'm trying to imagine the practical disadvantage of grinding the tiniest bit of the corner off a spike to tame it a little. I woudn't think that a 1 or 2 mm increase in effective offset of edge from tip would result in that much of a loss of precision.

I just realized something else. I'm way overanalyzing this! I just need to shut up and buy one already...

You don't even need to do a full milimeter. Just round it off on some sturdy sandpaper or on the side of a cheap hone with a kind of a circular motion. I've done that with my first spike, but I left the others as they were. Proper shaving technique is enough to avoid mishaps.