Styptic Pencil

[MCanavan6]

I expect I will cut myself the first few weeks of shaving with a safety razor as I have been using a cartridge my whole life. Should I get a styptic pen or will Proraso aftershave be alright for cuts?

[yomuppet]

I expect I will cut myself the first few weeks of shaving with a safety razor as I have been using a cartridge my whole life. Should I get a styptic pen or will Proraso aftershave be alright for cuts?

You'll want the pencil, around $3.29 at Walgreens, CVS, etc.

J

[tjkirch]

Most aftershaves won't do anything to stop bleeding. An alum block will help a little bit, but you really need a styptic pencil for the gushers.

[reeffanatic]

I would like to tell you not to expect to cut yourself. Just go slow and use short strokes and you will be fine. I use an alum block before and after every shave and stops any small weepers.

[Quagmire]

for the love of god get a styptic pencil! you'll be glad you did.

[castlecraver]

As cheap as they are, it'd be silly not to at least keep one around for any accidents. Sometimes you'll finish up with a little weeper, and the cold splash will take care of things. For anything bigger, I use a styptic.

[bearbeard]

for the love of god get a styptic pencil! you'll be glad you did.

Even if you never use it man!!! Get a styptic.....you'll be glad you did!!!

[jduffy]

Styptic is a must have for every shaving locker.

BTW I cut myself far less with a DE than with the multi-blades. I almost never draw blood, not even the little weepers.

YMMV of course but good luck to you sir! :biggrin:

[aspherical]

You know, it's strange. No matter what shaving method I use, and no matter how much I cut myself (and when I used a Fusion, it was quite a lot), I never seem to bleed badly enough to need a styptic pencil. But then again, I think I've always been a fast clotter.

[rtaylor61]

Anyone here tried Chapstick for nicks and cuts?

Randy

[Opus_Y_&_Z]

Agree with Jduffy. I find it very rare that I cut myself while shaving. I think the key is to go slow and just think about what you're doing. That being said, I do keep a styptic pencil on-hand just in case (both at home and for travel).

[MasonM]

Definately get a styptic pencil.

[Stauff]

Get a pencil AND get ready for one hell of a nasty sting. :eek:

[bearbeard]

Get a pencil AND get ready for one hell of a nasty sting. :eek:

That sting is there to remind you to pay better attention the next time you shave so as not to cut yourself.:a45:

Besides, it will add hair to your chest!! (as my father used to say)

[javyn]

I'd get a styptic. I'd like to say I cut myself less with a DE than when I used a cartridge, but unfortunately that isn't the case. Still, I am doing something with a DE that I never did much with a cartridge also...shaving off hair.

[srk1103]

I've been planning on getting one since I started wet shaving.... but I haven't, and I haven't needed it. I only get very minor small cuts that close with cold water with my DE razor.

Its funny a couple weeks back I shaved ( a pretty bad shave I might add) I thought I was done, so I got rid of the blade, and took a close look around my nose and mouth and saw that I had missed a lot. So instead of getting out a new blade for my DE razor, I reached for one of my double edge cardige razor (I hadn't touched one for about a month) and got the last few spots. Well I opened a really bad bleeder, I couldn't get it to stop. Thats the one time since wet shaving that I've wished I had a styptic pencil! Thanks for listening to my story!

[doctorsimon]

Get an alum block for every day use and a syptic pencil for the larger occasional gusher. Petroleum jelly (aka vaseline) is useful for the gushers too as it stops a horrible scab forming, so I hear.

There are also syptic pencil matchbooks available -- convenient and 'hygenic'.

[Tinzien]

Anyone here tried Chapstick for nicks and cuts?

Randy

I have and it works pretty well. I've found that a Styptic works faster but as an added plus the Chapstick keeps the cut from forming a nasty looking scab afterwards.

My styptic was a lifesaver last night though after my first shave with a slant.

[kuzmo]

my firste DE shave was completelly nick/razorburn/cut- less. But my second (today) against grain took its toll and I had one small cut. The styptic pencil was the answer. You never know when you'll need one in DE shaving I guess ... better to have one in case of emergency :001_smile

[RueTheDay]

Get a styptic - just about every grocery store and drug store sells them. Ususally for $2-3 and will last nearly forever.

I used one for the first time in awhile this morning. I usually am a Derby man, but I'm starting to work Feathers into the rotation. Popped a Feather into my HD, first two passes no problem, third pass - against the grain, no problem until I got to the mustache region at the end and must have given myself about 6 or 7 nicks in that spot. Yowza. Styptic fixed it right away.

[kuzmo]

I was wondering whether it would be ok to use styptic pencil to stop cuts for example by knife when you cut yourself on hand etc.... Or it would not be able to stop the bleeding?

[ouch]

As mentioned previously, I've replaced the tile floor in my bathroom with a huge block of alum.

This way, when I pass out from loss of blood, the floor itself will stop my bleeding.:smile:

[Pablo]

what's the correct way to use the styptic pencil? ARe you suppose to wet it?

[kuzmo]

if your skin is wet enough you don't have to....well at least I do not do it because if you wet it under water it becomes all wet .... but if you use it dry on your wet skin you only get wet the 'top' of it....hope it helps...

[TimmyBoston]

I styptic will stop the bleeding from most minor wounds, minor really is the key here, regardless of where they are inflicted.

Also, IMO, an alum block is a great addition to your shaving gear, but for my face it doesn't stop any bleeding, only closes pores. To stop nicks from bleeding, A/S or alum aren't going to do it, IMO, but styptic will. It's inexpensive, might as well always have it on hand.

[kuzmo]

Now I do not know what to think ... I bought a styptic when I was about to 'commit' my first DE shave. ... The problem is that I only used the pencil once (so I give it a try). Did not have to use it and thinking of how could I have spent them money elsewhere :bored: But better to have one and not need it then vice versa :001_smile

[peacefrog]

Now I do not know what to think ... I bought a styptic when I was about to 'commit' my first DE shave. ... The problem is that I only used the pencil once (so I give it a try). Did not have to use it and thinking of how could I have spent them money elsewhere :bored: But better to have one and not need it then vice versa :001_smile

Yep, it's cheap insurance.

[RueTheDay]

I was wondering whether it would be ok to use styptic pencil to stop cuts for example by knife when you cut yourself on hand etc.... Or it would not be able to stop the bleeding?


Probably not. However, in an emergency, if you cut yourself bad and can't get to a hospital quickly for stitches, a squirt of Krazy Glue will stop the bleeding and fix the wound. It also works for bad blisters when hiking - drain the blister first and then apply some Krazy Glue over it, and you will be able to continue hiking. Also works on dogs, if you clip one of their nails too short and they start bleeding from their paw a drop of KG will stop it immediately.

Legal Disclaimer - I am not a doctor and take no responsibility for your results.

[kuzmo]

Legal Disclaimer - I am not a doctor and take no responsibility for your results.

Thank you :wink: you meant: As I am no doctor I take no responsibility for result of using this method. You should consult a doctor with this question as only he can provide you with answer. :wink:

[ratcheer]

what's the correct way to use the styptic pencil? ARe you suppose to wet it?

Yes, it only takes a few drops of water right on the tip. After use, rinse it clean (try not to get water all over it, just the places that need it) and gently dry it with a tissue. The sticks melt away pretty quickly, so minimize the wetting and rinsing.

Tim

[scruffyv]

I have one, and I think it is a very painful way to stop bleeding. It hurts like freakin hell. I think vaseline is very effective.

[Edcculus]

Just an FYI, I just picked up a Clubman styptic pencil from Wal-Mart for $0.98. It says "Travel Size", but seems big enough for me. I havent really needed one before, but for .98, why not?

[peacefrog]

It hurts like freakin hell.

Think of it as aversion therapy. :smile: I actually like that little sting the styptic provides.