Rethinking the Styptic Pencil

[1OldGI]

I've known about these for years but never bothered with one and never really thought of buying one until just recently.

My face shaves are normally nick and weeper free but here lately my head shaves have very often resulted in small nicks. Of course on your head, the minutest nick results in the loss of at least a gallon of blood. I'm not squimish or anything but control of the bleeding without proper tools is a bit of a P.I.T.A. Witch hazel seems to help some but I'm now thinking of investing in a styptic pencil of just such events. What do you think?

 

[tblech]

They work, though some tend to stear away from them in search of a more natural method. I use one one the ocassional nick with great if somewhat painful results, I say go for it!

 

[Arthur]

as a newb, I can attest to the fact that they work great. they just burn. A lot.



better than bleeding to death though.

 

[Nozzlejocky]

I find it a good thing to have on hand. Like so many other tools we gents tend to find a way to prove to the missus that we just have to have and can't possibly live another minute without, it may not get used often, but when it does, it's the cat's meow. I shopped around a bit and ended up getting one at a local grocer for 99 cents and it even came in a little travel tube. I say, pick one up. They're cheap insurance. Now for the really bad nicks, a person may want to invest in some of that military medic quick-clot stuff! Styptics should work for the most of us though.

 

[thirdeye]

I think everyone should have one on hand just in case. I haven't used mine in ages but I'll always have one around...knock on wood....

 

[strat1117]

I've known about these for years but never bothered with one and never really thought of buying one until just recently.

My face shaves are normally nick and weeper free but here lately my head shaves have very often resulted in small nicks. Of course on your head, the minutest nick results in the loss of at least a gallon of blood. I'm not squimish or anything but control of the bleeding without proper tools is a bit of a P.I.T.A. Witch hazel seems to help some but I'm now thinking of investing in a styptic pencil of just such events. What do you think?

They work, though some tend to stear away from them in search of a more natural method. I use one one the ocassional nick with great if somewhat painful results, I say go for it!

I have recently stumbled upon something that may interest all of you gentlemen. I was actually considering starting a thread about it, just because I haven't seen it anywhere else. It is called the Nick Stick. It is made by Pacific Shaving Co. It resembles a chapstick sized roll on deodorant, and it applies a liquid styptic which works as well as a styptic pencil, but is cleaner, stings a little less, and doesn't leave any white residue. It claims to be self sterilizing because of the roller ball applicator (I rinse it a little anyway) and it is marketed as being natural and containing Vitamins A & E and aloe. I picked it up at Harmon Drugs which, I think, is a division of Bed, Bath & Beyond. I'm sure they must have it at other chains as well. The investment is not large, so it pays to have one around.

Of course, I don't really need one, since I never nick myself anymore, but I thought you guys would want to know about it.

 

[SRock]

I think everyone should have one on hand just in case. I haven't used mine in ages but I'll always have one around...knock on wood....

+1 I've only used mine once and that was the one and only time I nicked myself (a few months ago) about 6 months into the whole DE thing. Never needed one for my nugget though. When I shaved my head I used the HeadBlade and never had any issues.

 

[MaxJ]

I find it a good thing to have on hand. Like so many other tools we gents tend to find a way to prove to the missus that we just have to have and can't possibly live another minute without, it may not get used often, but when it does, it's the cat's meow. I shopped around a bit and ended up getting one at a local grocer for 99 cents and it even came in a little travel tube. I say, pick one up. They're cheap insurance. Now for the really bad nicks, a person may want to invest in some of that military medic quick-clot stuff! Styptics should work for the most of us though.

Dear God, I really hope no one has ever tried that! You know how that stuff "clots"? It basically just basically causes a nasty chemical burn that cauterizes the wound... Not the stuff you want to put anywhere near your dome!

 

[SRock]

Dear God, I really hope no one has ever tried that! You know how that stuff "clots"? It basically just basically causes a nasty chemical burn that cauterizes the wound... Not the stuff you want to put anywhere near your dome!

Oh they have dumb@$$e$! Last tour in Iraq I was told that certain units were collecting the Quikclot because Soldiers (Specifically Army) were doing just that.

 

[Johnny Dale]

Of course, I don't really need one, since I never nick myself anymore, but I thought you guys would want to know about it.

After I got my 3 wolf T-shirt I just threw my pencil out. Perfect shaves every time!

 

[David in Boston]

Did use Styptic Pencil in the past.

Then discovered Alum Block from joining B&B.

It stops the bleeding and doesn't burn like those pencils.

Plus the Blocks can be bought for cheap in "Indian Stores".

David

 

[JECIII]

In is very nice to have!

Keep in mind that if you apply a good bit of it to a larger area it will make lotions turn thick and sticky if you dont rince it off, not a pleasant feel.

 

[michael.scheller]

Oh they have dumb@$$e$! Last tour in Iraq I was told that certain units were collecting the Quikclot because Soldiers (Specifically Army) were doing just that.

That's not why they collected them.

 

[Joshua Da Silva]

A styptic pencil is certainly handy to have around. Considering they are so cheap everyone should have one, or an alum block, around just in case.

I have recently stumbled upon something that may interest all of you gentlemen. I was actually considering starting a thread about it, just because I haven't seen it anywhere else. It is called the Nick Stick. It is made by Pacific Shaving Co. It resembles a chapstick sized roll on deodorant, and it applies a liquid styptic which works as well as a styptic pencil, but is cleaner, stings a little less, and doesn't leave any white residue. It claims to be self sterilizing because of the roller ball applicator (I rinse it a little anyway) and it is marketed as being natural and containing Vitamins A & E and aloe. I picked it up at Harmon Drugs which, I think, is a division of Bed, Bath & Beyond. I'm sure they must have it at other chains as well. The investment is not large, so it pays to have one around.

Of course, I don't really need one, since I never nick myself anymore, but I thought you guys would want to know about it.

I saw that stuff online...I thought it was just a styptic pencil with a fancy name. Now I know better.

 

[Tone deaf]

Alum block for me Sir...a quick wet and rub over my dome and the nicks are toast. Anti bacterial too.

 

[JBLAZE725]

I've only ever used mine once, but it did the job very well. I bought it because I expected some nicks and cuts while learning the DE and haven't had any real need for it, but the one time I used it was quite a surprise. Of course the fact that it stung like hell which I wasn't expecting, but also in the fact that it stopped the bleeding in about half a second. It may not see much action, but it's a good thing to have around.

 

[juleswinnfield]

I have a styptic pencil in the drawer but I never use it. I have tried to use it and it burns like a mother, but it did seem to work. Might as well grab one, it's about a buck or so..

 

[BobS]

I have had a styptic pencil for years, but after I found this site and started wet shaving, I bought two products I think are better.

With my first order of shaving products, I found a product that looks like a "Q-Tip" that has a liquid contained in a glass container (?) inside. You snap one end and the other becomes wet with styptic liquid. These work like a champ. Sorry I cannot remember the name and they are not accessable right now.

Later, I bought an alum block. I use that every day, after the cold water rinse. I do not have weepers, but just like the way it makes my skin feel. It is much better than alcohol.

I hardly ever nick myself, but have had about 3 weepers in my first 6 weeks.

 

[adamant]

I chopped myself up pretty badly on my last straight shave. The styptic was nasty too me, but it worked to stop up the blood.

 

[Blade II]

Is there a difference between alum blocks and syptic pencils? Same idea?