Thread: Round or Square

I'm going to go for this one right here:

Bengall – $40 « Holli4's Straight Razor Page

I'm also having Dylan clean up the Dovo I have, I figured it'd be easiest to just grab a razor from him too. I know nothing about names or any of that, but I have gleaned from this site that pretty much any brand razor can be used to shave (obviously people think there are exceptions, no need to argue with the newbie though haha). It seems to me the order of what really matters is the quality of the edge on the blade, the craftsmanship of the blade, and then from there the type of metal used then just a bunch of personal preference stuff. I figured id go basic, cheap, and from a reputable guy on SRP. I'm still in college, so cant really drop multiple hundreds on razors. Maybe I'll get a fancy one for my birthday in a few weeks though

Bengalls are a highly reputable Sheffield brand, and said to be wonderful shavers. Plus Dylan is an authority on honing, so you really can not go wrong!

Enjoy

Hello, bignickj69:

The square point will give you more precision around the earlobes and other spots requiring it. The square point is in essence a spike point with the sharp tip rounded out to take the bite out of it.

If you have a round point already, I think it's a good idea to add a square point to your lineup. For newcomers, I suggest staying away from the spike. I have several square points and love them. Next to barber's notch, the square point is my favorite.

Regards,
Obie

First of all, congratulations on your newest acquisition. Feels like Christmas, doesn't it? Most of my razors are round edge but I have three square points and for whatever reason, all three shave better than any of the others. That may be just me. As for cutting yourself, yes, you will do it. It's inevitable. We all do it. But the truth is, you can probably get a much more serious injury from sloppy technique than from using a different style razor. By all means, watch where the point is but don't focus on it to the point where you neglect the rest of your technique.

I started with a spike tip and poked myself numerous times. Since then I have used round end razors. I did shave last week with a vintage spike point and i guess my technique improved so there was no blood shed.

I have both, and with one notible exception I cannot tell any difference.

While everyone likes to talk about how the spike-point will "force" you to refine your technique, the fact is, that education is a very, very costly one. With a spike, you cannot make one, single, minor mistake. Get your angle wrong, that spike doesn't nick, it gouges.

I'm not in straight shaving to prove my manhood or engage in high-risk behavior. After about 4 painful, unsightly whacks with a spike, I just retired them. My spikes have all either been rounded off or sold off to guys who are more manly and skilled than I!

Below is one of my tuition payments to Spike-point Shaving University. The scar still wants to catch the edge and get cut again.

To me, it just is not worth it. Round points, and rounded off square points for this old guy!

I started with a spike and have my original in rotation and will be adding a few more. While I find I tend to reach for round tips more, my skill level has advanced enough that the spike really doesn't spook me any more. The better your skills the better you are with the tools!

Originally Posted by woodturner

I started with a spike and have my original in rotation and will be adding a few more. While I find I tend to reach for round tips more, my skill level has advanced enough that the spike really doesn't spook me any more. The better your skills the better you are with the tools!

So what if the spike point does not "spook" you? It can still cut you. And I promise: about the time you think your technique is together, you'll slice an ear-lobe! Overconfidence about technique is what gets us in trouble in the first place.

I'm just making the point that you only have to make one, single, isolated mistake to have an inch or more of jagged slash on your face. I decided that no amount of good technique was worth the needless risk of mangling my face with a literally razor-sharp spike sweeping across my face.

Are any of us sure that we will not make one single mistake?

Just my opinion, as one who does not think my technique will ever bring me to the place where I won't have one careless moment with a spike.

I make it simple.

I shave shave shave with my round point.

And then I clean up under my nose with the square point.

If you are going to have all these razor, and not use them, whats the...