Straight razors can be complicated tools. You might have been confused by references to a straight razor’s spine, tip, tang, scale or edge. We’re here to explain everything you need to know about straight razors. We’ll have a few blog articles focusing on different aspects of the straight razor. This week’s we’re taking a look at Point Types.
Point type refers to the shape of the blade’s tip. There are five standard point types that differ in sharpness and precision. We’ve compared their major differences in the chart below;
| Point Style | Level | Key Features | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Point | Beginner | - Semi-circle shape - Forgiving point | $ Gold Dollar $$ Boker $$$ Thiers Issard |
| Square Point | Experienced | - Very sharp point | $$ Ralf Aust $$$ Wacker |
| French Point | Advanced | - Sharp angled curves - Mix of round and square point - Preferred for shaping | $$ Ralf Aust French Point 4/8” Straight Razor, Wenge Wood Handle $$$ Wacker |
| Spanish Point | Advanced - Expert | - Slightly concave arch - Extremely precise shaving | $ Gold Dollar $$$ DOVO “Barbarossa” Spanish Point Straight Razor 5/8”, Imitation Tortoise Scales |
| Barber’s Point | Expert - Professional | - Precise shaving and trimming - Rounded point with concave arch | $$$ Wacker Chevalier Straight Razor 6/8", Black Horn Handle |
Want to learn more?
Download a copy of our ebook – “Mastering an Ancient Art: The Perfect Shave.”
