Stitched pole having a tapered tip

A magnetic head, comprising:

• a stitch pole;
• and
• a main pole formed adjacent the stitch pole,
• wherein an end region of the stitch pole closest to an air bearing surface of the head tapers towards the main pole,
• wherein sides of the main pole taper towards each other in a cross track direction as they approach the air bearing surface, wherein sides of the stitch pole extending along the sides of the main pole also taper towards each other in the cross track direction as they approach the air bearing surface.

A magnetic head, comprising:

• a stitch pole being a laminate of at least two magnetic layers separated by a nonmagnetic layer;
• and
• a main pole formed adjacent the stitch pole,
• wherein an end region of the stitch pole closest to an air bearing surface of the head tapers towards the main pole,
• wherein an average angle of the taper of the end region of the stitch pole is between about 20 and about 45 degrees.