Styptic Pencil Use.. what am I missing??

[redgrandam]

Please forgive me if this is covered somewhere, but I was unable to find an answer after searching..

I have a styptic pencil, that I use on occasion, not more than once every few weeks, that I've had for about 3 months. I understand that many say they will outlast the user in many cases, but I've just replaced mine already, as it looked like something ate through it. like it has holes that go all the way through and it broke in the middle, like the water is eating through it. It is also sharp and spikey on the ends, and rough to use. I wet it to use it, rinse when done, return it to the tube where it sits till next use, with no lid on so it would dry. It's stored on a bathroom shelf, would the humidity from haveing showers do this to it with the lid off? Does it need to dry before it goes back in the tube? What am I missing, I hate wasting money, even if it is only 2 bucks every 3 months. lol..

 

[gollum83]

Like the water is eating through it? I would say it is exactly like the water is eating through it. Ideally you want to minimize contact with water when it comes to a styptic pencil, but then again they are pretty cheap so it's your call.

 

[uberlegit]

I give mine a quick wetting before use otherwise it doesn't seem to work very well. I think alum blocks are supposed to last longer than styptic... I can't imagine someone getting a pencil to stretch more than year even with semi-regular use.

 

[redgrandam]

I wet it becuase it says to 'moisten the tip' before use.. Maybe I'm moistening it too much? I can't put away a bloody pencil either, so it gets a rinse at the end.. maybe wipe dry?

I want to try alum block, alas it is not available locally (that I've found yet anyways)

 

[DSB]

Yes, wipe it dry with a piece to toilet paper or tissue before putting it away.

 

[gollum83]

I want to try alum block, alas it is not available locally (that I've found yet anyways)

Where are you in SW Ontario? Maybe one your fellow Canadian members can help you out?

 

[redgrandam]

Where are you in SW Ontario? Maybe one your fellow Canadian members can help you out?

Near London Ontario, if anyone has any ideas...

Sucks, I was living in Toronto last summer, just before I made the switch to DE and wet shaving could have had everything I wanted nearby.

 

[SilkySmooth]

I'd buy a deoderant stone or alum block. They last so much longer.

 

[gollum83]

Near London Ontario, if anyone has any ideas...

Sucks, I was living in Toronto last summer, just before I made the switch to DE and wet shaving could have had everything I wanted nearby.

London? Well it's been awhile since I've been there, and I'm not exactly Canadian either, but if you can locate some sort of ethnic grocery store near you, you should be able to find some alum blocks or at least some crystal deodorant. Any health food store should carry the later as well. Just a word of warning, if you do get a crystal deodorant stick make sure it is potassium alum not ammonium alum. Don't get me wrong, the ammonium alum will still work just fine, but it will sting more.

 

[taffy]

Alum blocks are much better, i used to use the pencils but like you found that whatever i did before putting it back not very long the pencil would just melt and i never actually ever used a full pencil as it used to melt away before full usage, though they are cheap to pick up, where a alum block is a better thing altogether.

 

[SiBurning]

Always dry it thoroughly and store it in a sealed--not necessarily air tight--plastic container. When wet, it forms a corrosive solution containing hydrochloric (muriatic) acid that will not only eat itself away, but will corrode metal and many other things. The fumes from the solution will also corrode nearby metal. I think this is true for both the pencil and block forms. Humidity in a steamy bathroom is enough to cause this, so keep it in a suitable container. I don't think you need it airtight, but keep it far away from any metal. The main thing is to keep it dry, since the solid form is harmless. I think the containers they come in have a single small hole to stabilize the humidity if you put it in a little damp, since they're very hard to dry completely.

 

[Deltaboy]

I get the tip of my index finger wet and dampin the spetic stick. after use I dry it on my towl and put it back in the drawer. Mine is now 12 years old.

 

[pmast]

Just rinse your face before using. The moisture left on your face is more than enough to activate the styptic. Rub lightly on the cut and wipe the excess water away with the pencil. Give the pencil a quick rinse and pat dry. Allow the treated area to dry well before trying to gently wipe off the chalky residue with a damp cloth.

I have found that minor nicks will close up just as well with a splash of cold water followed by generic witch hazel. Both are cheap enough, but the witch hazel doesn't leave a residue. Styptic is more effective at stopping bleeding on larger cuts and nicks though. Hope this helps.

 

[Unknownsoldier]

I'd buy a deoderant stone or alum block. They last so much longer.

Unless your gf drops them (with my lather bowl..... both smashed :-( ).

I just wipe mine with my towel after use and pop it back in it's tube, no problems so far...

Tom

 

[dpmtherrien]

You might want to try going to a barbershop and looking for a small bottle of liquid styptic. I carry one in my dopp kit that I've had for years. The liquid doesn't go bad, and it only cost a couple or three dollars. When you need to use it just take off the cap and wet the tip of your finger, then dap the weeper/cut. Much easier than the pencil.

Regards,

Paul

 

[guru]

I have a styptic pencil that I have had for years. Comes in a plastic case and just seems to last. Don't use it much, but it's like a first aid kit, you gotta' have it, just in case.

 

[Magruder]

When you keep the styptic pencil in the plastic tube, it doesn't dry out, and it does all the things that you described.

My last couple of styptic pencils were the ones that come in a 'blister pack' -- a plastic bubble glued to cardboard. I discovered that the cardboard absorbs whatever moisture is left on the styptic, and it lasts a lot longer.

Oh, in case anyone is wondering, since I mentioned "my last couple of styptic pencils": no, I don't nick myself a lot. But once you use a styptic pencil it starts to dissolve, and even if you rarely use it, you'll need to replace it from time to time.

 

[www.irishbarber.com]

I wet it becuase it says to 'moisten the tip' before use.. Maybe I'm moistening it too much? I can't put away a bloody pencil either, so it gets a rinse at the end.. maybe wipe dry?

I want to try alum block, alas it is not available locally (that I've found yet anyways)

The pencil is a small version of the block and ye it shouldn't
last for a long time but as the saying goes
'ye get what ye pay for'!

 

[BoldSpice]

The pencil is a small version of the block

Ermmmmmm, ok...

 

[Hanzo]

I think many feel , me among them, that the product " My Nik Is Sealed" is excellent. Its a liquid antiseptic product with a roll on applicator that allows you to stop a nick completely and fast. I have used it for a year and a half and its all I need for nicks.