A method of making a perpendicular magnetic recording head for use in a data storage device includes forming a first pole layer, a second pole layer, a third pole layer, and a shield layer of a write section. The first pole layer, second pole layer, third pole layer, and shield layer are formed without using a chemical mechanical polishing process. The method next includes concurrently trimming the shield layer and a write pole that is defined by the third pole layer to a predetermined track width. In the trimming step, the shield layer is used as a mask for the write pole.