Thread: Are round points safer?

You are more likely to 'stab' yourself with the spike of a spike point off either an oblique or a square if they have retained the spike.

That aside, you will cut yourself in equally the same way due to bad technique or lack of attention with any point.

A cut due to a mishap is not the same as a stab from lack of care with the spike. It is important to understand that it is the edge which will cut you per se, and they are all the same regardless.

It is for this reason that I will recommend a round point to a beginner. You only have to worry about the edge therefore, not the spike too.

The round tips are safer. But, blades with tips can be made almost as safe in my opinion. I don't recommend rounding the tip, as in changing the shape of the blade by honing it into a rounder shape. But, by simply blunting the tip, it is almost as safe as a round tip in my opinion.

The real danger from a square(ish) tip is the very tip, which is the first part of the blade edge to cut into your face. Dull that 1/120 of an inch, and it doesn't sink into your face. And, if the very tip doesn't sink into your face, then it acts as a flotation device in essence holding the rest of the tip from digging in. (I'm describing the most typical way we cut ourselves with the tip.)

After honing, with my personal razors, I drag the dip on a low grit hone, (on the side of the hone, because it scratches), 2 or 3 times from different angles to round the tip. The results are not visually noticeable, and can easily be undone in honing. But, the tip is significantly more safe.

To test, holding the blade at a 45 degree angle, I drag the blade across the palm of my hand. If done right, it feels dull and there is no sensation that the tip will cut.

Again, everything above describes only the smallest, smallest part of the tip of the blade.

Safety razors are safe. Straights depend on you. Spikes just need a modification in how you work them on your face and a bit more awareness. For experienced shavers it's no biggie.

IME paying strict attention to where the point is will be an ounce of prevention in nicking yourself with a spike or a more aggressive point. Read my sig line below as well. Saves me every day.

After some experience is gained, I don't think one tip can be said to be safer than another. Until that experience is gained I do feel a rounded or blunted tip can prevent digging the tip into the cheek. But that is due to inexperience of the user and not any greater safety attribute of the round point.

I on the other hand would say that a blunted point may be safer then a round point
When the blade is cowered in lather it can be hard to know where the round point meet the edge

As said, the shape is of little relevance. Any razor on any day can deliver a nasty cut. Keep it honed, stropped, use good soap, proper beard prep, and pay attention. That's the best formula to prevent cuts.

While both will cut you if you slide the blade parallell to the edge, with a spike you have to be careful of the tip even if you are not moving parallell. Does that make them significantly more dangerous? I don't think so. Plenty of men shave with spikes without cutting their face up.

I learned to straight shave with a spike point and had no difficulties. The only cuts/nicks I've received (which are few and very minor) have had nothing to do with the spike.

When I was first starting out I cut my strop with a spike end. I now shave with round ends except for that special razor or two I have to use.