Thread: Nicking/Cutting with Toe of Blade

I wouldnt think of modifying my blade, dont worry

Originally Posted by blockhead

This time next year you might regret rounding off a spike, if that is in fact what you have. The same way I regret someone else doing it when I buy a square point that has been altered... Just be mindful and see how it goes. Try to pick up a cheap round edge or oblique point before modifying your current razor.

I did not mean to imply that you should "round off" your spike point.Just temporarily take a bit of the sharpness off it.If you don't take off too much,it should hone right back up to lethal quite easily.

Dulling the first 1/16" of a spike or less, just slightly, would probably not be noticeable. When you get comfortable re hone it. But you will get used to it sooner than you think if you leave it sharp. As a matter of fact, dulling it now might make you careless later when you sharpen it and then you would get nicks again. In the end it is up to you but there is a certain amount of pride in being able to use one the right way.

You have to really "manage" the toe. You have to be very careful not to apply any pressure toward the tip of the blade. You can't be aggressive at all. This makes the shave take a longer time. If you were to try a round point, you probably wouldn't want to go back any time soon.

Originally Posted by dancraig

You have to really "manage" the toe. You have to be very careful not to apply any pressure toward the tip of the blade. You can't be aggressive at all. This makes the shave take a longer time. If you were to try a round point, you probably wouldn't want to go back any time soon.

Thanks
My last two shaves were full face shaves WTG, no nicks or cuts . Just taking practice

Originally Posted by Spartigus

Thanks
My last two shaves were full face shaves WTG, no nicks or cuts . Just taking practice

Great. Like others have said, if you master the spike you will have achieved a high level of straight razor ability.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Afterall if you buy a car with alot of horsepower do you learn to go easy on the gas or cut off two cylinders?

It's automatically done for you these days. It's called traction control. Electronic traction control is virtually standard equipment on mid-range to high-quality European cars. They outlawed it on F1 cars because it made them a bit easier to drive and took away the advantage from the best drivers.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

It's automatically done for you these days. It's called traction control. Electronic traction control is virtually standard equipment on mid-range to high-quality European cars. They outlawed it on F1 cars because it made them a bit easier to drive and took away the advantage from the best drivers.

But that defines the advanced drivers from the standard drivers, sort of like straight edge razors

Originally Posted by Spartigus

But that defines the advanced drivers from the standard drivers, sort of like straight edge razors

Yes of course. Often if you put a standard driver in a high performance vehicle it ends in tears. Even Michael Schumacher learned on a Kart before getting into an F1 car. If you are cutting yourself because of lack of skill/experience maybe it's best to use equipment that compensates for lack of skill while you learn. Some professional barbers slightly rounded off the blade tip to avoid nicking their customers. I suppose the cutthroat equivalent of traction control is a rounded end to the razor.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

It's automatically done for you these days. It's called traction control. Electronic traction control is virtually standard equipment on mid-range to high-quality European cars. They outlawed it on F1 cars because it made them a bit easier to drive and took away the advantage from the best drivers.

Yet we CONTINUE to see middle aged men scratching their heads on the roadside, explaining to the officer how "They don't know what could have happened..." while staring at their bashed up 911. Don't forget about the 17 year old with the twice flipped Land Rover, either. Maybe part of the problem is that we have too much done for us these days. BMW may be the Ultimate Driving Machine, but if the driver can't manage the vehicle then the standard equipment is moot. I'm glad to see you are enjoying the spike.