Dulling sharp points?

The part of the razor I seem to get the most cuts from is the sharp angle (close to 90 degrees) where the point rounds to meet the edge. This is sharpest on square points but even some round points seem to be particularly catchy here. My barber friend suggested dragging that angle across a hone to dull it, holding the razor perpendicular to the hone so that just that point is contacted. I have begun trying that regularly and it seems to make a difference in the liklihood of cutting myself that way (better, not worse). Anyone else try that?

Yea, I have used my DMT D8C to reshape some tips and points that way.

Bob

Just one man's opinion, but I think it's better to address whatever it is about your technique that causes the problem (if possible) than it is to dull the point. But, they are your razors, so do what works for you.

Mute it under the windowsill! That's what I do! :D

I used to have this problem all the time. Until somebody showed me what I was doing wrong. I was putting far too much pressure against my face, and not stretching my skin enough. Once I began pulling my skin tighter my shaves improved remarkably, and with less pressure, I never cut myself on an edge again. Trying adjusting your pressure first, then try pulling the skin a tiny bit more, and make sure you always run the razor in a perfect line. no "arcing" or guillotine positions

Mump, I'm not settled on whether to mute or not, but if you do choose to (I have more than once), I would add to your barber friend's advice that if you run the last 1/32" or so over a hone, use only the weight of the blade. That's all it takes to collapse the edge & you prob. don't want to collapse any more than that. It does make the shave a bit more friendly while you figure out some technique. Every now and then, I'll try a new blade & seem to nick myself repeatedly. I'll mute it 'til I get the feel of that razor.

I appreciate the input. BTW, I obviously erred in placing this thread in the Shaving w/ Safety Razor category. I need to improve my posting technique as well as my shaving technique!

I would do it on a friendly surface, perhaps the side of a 12K hone, certainly not a 1K or a DMT. It is just a matter of very slightly dulling the edge, not changing its shape, just taking the razor edge down a bit.

After reading Ace's reply I should clarify that I use my DMT to round the spike slightly not just dull the edge.

Bob

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is that a slight burr,chip,ding etc. on the tip can also promote a nick. It can often be diagnosed if the strop is getting scratched but lifting the heel while shaving is guaranteed to bite..

I wondered about that -- seemed like a real possibility and could be worse than just geting a minor cut w/ a sharp point.

That is referred to as muting the point, as pointed out by some of the responses (no pun intended). There is an easy way to do it on a hone while honing, without "bread knifing" the tip on the hone or anything else. It does not take long, and makes the point much friendlier and forgiving. I, personally, like a square point, althout one did bite me pretty good on the neck one morning while going against the grain.

Muting a point on glass is about the safest way I've seen to dull it. Don't trust myself to do it on one of my hones.

Steve

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Originally Posted by mikeadams

Muting a point on glass is about the safest way I've seen to dull it. Don't trust myself to do it on one of my hones.

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You would still get a small burr at the tip that needs removing.

What is the advantage of a square or spike point? I think that the mention of the lack of technique is a excuse to cover up a poor design.

Some barbers would dull the point on the edge of a hone.

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Originally Posted by 32t

What is the advantage of a square or spike point? I think that the mention of the lack of technique is a excuse to cover up a poor design.

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Hi T,

The square, french/oblique, spanish points allow close work on the mustache/nostril area. A round point where the point extends any distance beyond the cutting edge takes more work to get the stubble close to the nostil. Not everyone gets used to the care required to use one. I've butchered myself w/ them a few times, but still prefer almost any point to a bulbous roundpoint. If a roundpoint doesn't stick out much beyond the cutting edge - they work great too. I LOVE the pronounced radius on the Williams SRP special. 'Very handy for concave surface shaving.

Most of my rotation, have points. I have 4 hairs high on the moustache near the nostrils that the point gets nicely. I also like it for sideburns across the grain and at the corners of my mouth.

I would not round it, but perhaps mute as recommended, don’t do anything that can’t easily be reversed. Once you develop more experience, you may find your preferences change. I for example like smaller, thinner blades as opposed to large heavy blades.

It’s like the difference in driving a well-tuned sports car or a Hummer.

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Originally Posted by pinklather

Hi T,

The square, french/oblique, spanish points allow close work on the mustache/nostril area. A round point where the point extends any distance beyond the cutting edge takes more work to get the stubble close to the nostil. Not everyone gets used to the care required to use one. I've butchered myself w/ them a few times, but still prefer almost any point to a bulbous roundpoint. If a roundpoint doesn't stick out much beyond the cutting edge - they work great too. I LOVE the pronounced radius on the Williams SRP special. 'Very handy for concave surface shaving.

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Hey P,

I have to admit in my 51 years of life I have never shaved my mustache so I can't disagree with around the nostril area.

My latest razor that I have used exclusively for the last 2 months is a Hess with a square point. Last week my coworker came in to relieve me and said "How did you get that scratch on your neck?" It didn't even dawn on me at that time over 9 hours from when I shaved to blame the razor and looked at my finger nails. At least I hadn't walked around all day with a Hickey there! When I got home I immediately took the C-12k and muted the point. I don't even want to think about it. With my technique, right or wrong, I use the heel more than the toe.

Tim

Just for info,

If done correctly, Muting or Neutering the Spike can be reversed with the very next honing cycle.. It does not have to be permanent

My first razor was my Burrell Top Flight that has a nasty sharp spike toe. At times I did catch it on my neck as I shaved along the jawline and did consider muting the toe. However, I decided to teach myself to respect it rather than mute it. Often I read that a spike toe is not good for a beginner, but I feel it taught me to shave better, really.

If you bought a nice big thumping V8 as a first car, would you pull out some spark plugs to tone it down a bit? Maybe not; just learn to live with it. Just my opinion :-)

I do it all the time.

I wouldn't think that dulling just the very point, like the last 1/10mm, wouldn't change the tip's ability to get into tight places, but would do a lot to save face. Since I just slashed my cheek this morning in a moment of inattention, opening a bloody little flap about 15mm long on the side of my face, I'm probably going to do that to mine tonight. No machismo here: I can do without the scars.

In the now eight months I've been shaving dailiy with a straight I've had amazingly few significant cuts -- maybe a dozen tops. 3/4 of them have been with these points on 3 or 4 of my razors, all of which are otherwise really nice shavers. I found I was getting a little gun-shy and decided that can't be a good attitude. Otherwise I simply don't worry about cutting myself but was beginning to with these. I muted them have had no more slices and, most importantly maybe, am no longer worrying about it.

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Originally Posted by gssixgun

Just for info,

If done correctly, Muting or Neutering the Spike can be reversed with the very next honing cycle.. It does not have to be permanent

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unlike circumcision!

I like what Carl said. I too have learned to respect the razor and always know where that point is, by leaving that wicked point on 4 of my 8 razors.

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Muting the point was and is common practice and is perfectly acceptable to most of us.

I bought this carborundum hone from my barber in the 1960s and you can see the muting tracks along the side of the stone.

This stone was well used when I got it so it is fairly old. Probably from the 40s or 50s.

Jerry
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Yeah, I mute the spikes and also mute the politicians on TV. Both save me some pain!! :D

Howard :)