Thread: Toe question / Sharp or not sharp?

It seems like no matter how sharp, or dull I manage to get the rest of the blade. My toes come out like lasers. Every nick I’ve adorned my face with has been from the toe, and these are round points. Guess I’m a klutz.
I’ve had attached earlobes all my life, but not anymore. At least not on the right side of my face. Not a big deal, right? But I was already on my left side before I even knew it happened. Just felt a slight breeze under my ear. Didn’t feel a thing, or realize anything happened, but it must have been more like a swish from Zorro’s foil. Got myself a Dangler for an earlobe now.
Anyway I’ve been thinking about calming those toes down a bit. At least until my skills improve.
What’s the group consensus on toes? Keep’em sharp or do folks tone’em down a bit?

If they cut you, dull them up a bit.

Sharpton like to pull the toe on the bottom of a window sill. Works for me.

The blade is supposed to be sharp. You have to concentrate when you move it against your face or you could lose more than an earlobe.

I cut myself much less with a sharp edge than a dull one. Keep the touch light and focus on what you are doing. Shave the lather, not the skin and pay attention.

Originally Posted by Sl8r

It seems like no matter how sharp, or dull I manage to get the rest of the blade. My toes come out like lasers. Every nick I’ve adorned my face with has been from the toe, and these are round points. Guess I’m a klutz.
I’ve had attached earlobes all my life, but not anymore. At least not on the right side of my face. Not a big deal, right? But I was already on my left side before I even knew it happened. Just felt a slight breeze under my ear. Didn’t feel a thing, or realize anything happened, but it must have been more like a swish from Zorro’s foil. Got myself a Dangler for an earlobe now.
Anyway I’ve been thinking about calming those toes down a bit. At least until my skills improve.
What’s the group consensus on toes? Keep’em sharp or do folks tone’em down a bit?

Originally Posted by rolodave

If they cut you, dull them up a bit.

Sharpton like to pull the toe on the bottom of a window sill. Works for me.

If you have a SWMBO that's on the 'Fussy Side' you could use just a block of wood instead of the bottom of the sill--

Yea, unless your situational awareness improves dull the toe. The one thing you can't do when shaving with a straight razor is be inattentive to what you are doing. Fast complacent shaves do not work out well.

Bob

So, long have you been shaving with a straight razor?

It’s not the razor that jumps off the counter and cuts you. It’s the driver.

You might want to re-evaluate your technique. Toes and heels are super handy for shaving, or they would all be dull round points.

It is possible that your edges are not as sharp as you think, and you are using too much pressure.

As most new guys are advised, your shaves a year from now will be vastly improved. Slow down.

If my toes get too sharp I usually cut my nails.

I've heard of guys 'muting' the toe, but I've never tried it. If you feel like it would help, go for it. Just remember you muting it a bit,not killing it.

If you really think the toe is a lot sharper than the rest of the blade, that could indicate it needs some more time on the hones as well.

I’ve muted square points before by running through wood. It works nicely.

If you’re talking about a spike or square point scratching you, mute it one bevel width (more won’t help). If you’re talking about the last few millimeters of the edge digging in and cutting you, it’s likely dull and needs to be sharp. Dull feels sharp, sharp feels dull.