Thread: Muting a spike?

I very gently have muted the toes of all my razors, even the really collectible ones. It is not a matter of changing the shape of the toe, just taking that area from razor sharp to maybe "knife sharp". I do it because I am really happy with my earlobes just the way they are. My right earlobe learned the hard way, with a cut that was hard to close and is still visible one year later. I can return any of them to razor sharpness, still without changing the shape, with just a stroke or two on a finishing stone. I would never alter the shape of one of my razors, but that is not what happens when I mute them.

Looks like there are different opinions on gradations of muting.
Here's a picture of what I thought it was. The Bengall has muted itself over time, the Union hasn't.
So you guys are saying you are only desharpening the tip, not actually rounding it?

Originally Posted by ChopperStyle

Maybe, if you don't have 20/20. If you're like me and have 20/10, you buy razors for the details. If you're going to mute a spike point. Don't buy a spike. There are plenty of other fish in the sea.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Looks like there are different opinions on gradations of muting.
Here's a picture of what I thought it was. The Bengall has muted itself over time, the Union hasn't.
So you guys are saying you are only desharpening the tip, not actually rounding it?

Yes..

It is much like explaining to people about beveling the sides of Hones, it only takes a few strokes to just barely knock off the very edge yet some start grinding in 45° bevels
All you have to do is just barely take off the tip to make it not bite as bad, then after 2-3 honing cycles it is right back sharp and deadly as ever...

Some like the one in your pic actually have a Clipped spike, one that protrudes out almost like a Spike Spanish point, myself I love those but yes if you just barely mute the tip it is much safer.. A few honing cycles and it is right back, this is what works so well for newbs buying them, they can shave a bit safer, then as they get better it gets "spikier"

is that a word

Originally Posted by gssixgun

"spikier"

is that a word

Get it into common usage, and the OED will eventually recognise it and there you go. Though I think spikier is a word, ie spikey, SPIKIER, spikeiest. These could become definitions of mutedness by default too . Well if mutedness is a word that is. I have seen descriptions of razors as heavily muted, and these are slightly rounded off.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

is that a word

Yes, it's just a comparative adjective. Spikiest being the superlative.
It only sounds strange because ordinary people don't go around comparing the spikiness of things.

Originally Posted by Frankenstein

Yes, it's just a comparative adjective. Spikiest being the superlative.
It only sounds strange because ordinary people don't go around comparing the spikiness of things.

Well maybe fork Cutlers might, or nail makers, or armourers making spiked maces might. Nice to see you getting involved again Frankie. I am off to do some ironing then bed.

From the standpoint of shaving, the slightly muted toe allows the shaver to be more aggressive when shaving near the ears and where the jawline meets the ear area. I could shave there with a razor sharp point, and have done it, but it goes much more quickly when slicing off your earlobe is not an option. I refer to the toes of blades and not just spike points because even a razor sharp round toed blade will give you an earlobe cut that will wake you right up in the morning. I continue to look for ever more mild ways of muting toes as I continue in this hobby, and no longer use stones for it. Sometimes just a single pass on wood or a counter top will produce the desired effect. I check it by seeing if that area reflects just a bit of light. When it does, I know that my earlobe will survive another day.