Thread: 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!

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 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.