What does the blunt point of a cut nail help with?

What does the blunt point of a cut nail help with?

A sharp nail penetrates the wood by chiseling its way between the fibers, forcing them apart. A blunt nail, too dull to act as a chisel, simply breaks through the fibers as it goes. You can see the same forces at work if you've ever split firewood. In order to split wood, you need to use an axe.