Round or Square

[bignickj69]

First off, let me say I am very aware that I know nothing about straight razors, but please don't act like I'm stupid or something... just ignorant :-)

So, I have been thinking about getting a second razor. I know I need one, just not sure if I wanna drop the bucks at the moment. Right now, I have a Dovo (5/8" ??) with a rounded edge (its a "Best Quality" series). I think I like the roundedness, as my technique probably isn't great (I've done ~50 straight razor shaves), but this is the only razor I have ever used. I like to think of myself as a quick learner, but I've never had the guts to film on camera and

That being said, the razor I am looking at is a square point. Will I notice that much of a difference in the razor? I am always open to try new things, but how different will this be? I understand that I will have to be more careful when shaving, especially at first, but I am confident enough that I can do it. I just want to make sure I won't slice large chunks of my face off. A few little battle scars and a some stitches never hurt anyone in the long run :-)

Thanks :-) and rock on


P.S. I wasnt sure where to put this so please feel free to move if necessary.

[HNSB]

Welcome to SRP.

Unlike many other bulletin boards on the internet, no one here will treat you like you're stupid for not knowing something. They may treat you like you're stupid if you pretend to know something that you don't know anything about.

Anyhow... It's a pretty friendly place here.

If you've been shaving with a round point for awhile, I don't see any problem at all with buying a square point. It's not that much more dangerous, you just have to be aware of what the point is doing. But... If you're going to use one, you have to try it sometime, right?

[thehekler]

In my short experiance with straight razor shaving, going on 3 months, I have used round, square (spike), French, and spainsh points. I have found that there is a slightly greater chance of nicks with a spiked point then a rounded one but feel that the danger is overblown in many discussions. I feel that this is more than offset by the added bonus of being able use the spiked point to get into otherwise hard to shave areas; around the ears, under the nose. Maybe I'm the only one that struggles with these tight areas with a round point, maybe not but I'm sure practice will negate any added danger. Good luck let us know your experiance.

[ScoutHikerDad]

Bignick-I too started off with the Dovo 5/8" round-point last Christmas. I "graduated" to a square-point Fili DT 12 this past Father's Day with no problems, though it's not a spike. In fact, I'm still a little leery about getting a spike. Ask LawsonStone what he got from a spike! Still, many members here seem to shave with them with no problems. I think you just have to stay aware of where that point is/what it's doing!

[pcdad]

I have used both round and square ends...square does feel like you have more control over angles n such..rounded is good if you KNOW you knick yerslef more often if you don't see certain parts of you face

PcDad

[metalfab]

I use round and square the only thing that you really really have to be aware of after using a round for a while is were that point is. The real truth is if it is a new spike point they tend to be a lot sharper then say a used one that the previous owner may have blunted off. The round will forgive you if you lose track of the point the spike will not.

[nun2sharp]

The great thing about a square point is it will force you to "get in the game" as far as watching your technique goes, the big thing about the square point is that you had better know where that point is at all times, should you forget it will remind you!

[Scipio]

Round points are easier to learn on, spike or square points can take some getting used to. I have several of both, including factory muted square points such as the C-mon Blackie I just got from Don.

Variety is the spice of life as they say and I like to have a few of each including notches, French points and Spanish.

If you're technique is good, you'll enjoy any point style and it is just a matter of preference. Like many say though, you have to watch that spike point or it will get you when you least expect it!

[bignickj69]

Alright, I'm going to get the square point. Very excited.

Thanks for all the input guys! Hopefully on my way to better shaving... At least now I can send my Dovo in for some much needed TLC, lately its felt like someone is ripping the hairs out of my head when I have to use it!

Hopefully as my educational debt decreases and my engineering salary increases I will be able to afford some fancy razors and build up a collection, and have one of every type. :-) And then I can get a 50 quadrillion dollar japanese one of a kind stone and do the TLC myself.

rock on.

[Scipio]

Which square point did you go for?