Thread: Say "NO" to Styptic Pencils

You know, I'm not sure if everyone is kidding here or not... But I kind of enjoy putting my high alchohol content aftershave on after a shave. A moment or two of sting... It's kind of like a wake up call. :P

I"m beginning to think there are a few folks here who experiment with putting aloe on everything, then report when it works. Among the failed ideas: out of motor oil, aloe!; out of jelly, aloe; shark bite, aloe.

But who am I to complain? It was my grandma's cure all (and she always kept aloe plants in the house so it would be handy), and I go through quite a bit of it myself.

Most of the time that I've used any sort of aloe gel it leaves a sticky residue, any trouble with that after shaving? Have I been using the wrong type?

Interesting. I'll give it a try the next time I nick myself, but I did try it in my lather on Saturday...

I wasn't impressed in the least bit with the addition. I actually ended up with some razor burn on my right cheek. I thought maybe it was my razor needing some work, but just this morning I shaved with that same razor and only my Col. Conk soap, and my face feels WAY better than it did on Saturday.

I'll try it on a nick, but I'm not sold on the lather addition...

BTW, I kinda like the way Styptic feels. I don't think it hurts, but I like the way it tightens up my skin.

The very best part of the aloe vera is the yellow sap that kinda smells like bad BO. Not sure if it helps stop bleeding but it is great on cuts and other abbrasions, faster healing than the clear gel.

Oh thats real aloe I'm talking about too, not the bottled stuff.

I just use Vaseline.

Styptic pencils are like a spanking--it let's you know when you've been bad

This morning I got another little nick, so I tried the aloe vera gel again.

This time, it did not stop the bleeding immediately, it took a few minutes.

So it isn't quite like the styptic pencil, however, it did stop within a few minutes, and when I wiped off the residue, it didn't start bleeding again.

For me it is working at least as well as styptic for all practical purposes, though not exactly the same.

Just want to be accurate here.

I suggest giving it a try.

I don't mind the pain of the styptic pencil, I've only needed it when I was careless. Pain can sometimes be the best teacher for a man.

I stopped using a styptic pencil when I got into straight shaving. Since then I've only been using an alum block and cold water. My cuts become invisible! As for the sting, it really isn't that much. Then again, I grew up practically with cuts everywhere, surprised I don't have any scars, and always used alcohol to clean them. So I'm quite used to it, and don't feel much when I use the alum block.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

Styptic pencils are like a spanking--it let's you know when you've been bad

You get spankings when you've been bad?