Used gramophone needle showing wear on tip.

Worn needles.
From: Modern Gramophones and Electrical Reproducers - P.Wilson and G.W.Webb 1929

Songster Needles - unpolished and very sharp.
Manufactured by the new owners of Songster's needle-making machine (c1970s), who did not know that the needles should be tumble polished after they are pointed.

Songster Golden Pick-up Needles with faulty points Sold by Musgroves c1968