Thread: styptic pencil just for show?

I've had similar results with my styptic; stinging and bleeding. The cold water mentioned by others works best for me. Truthfully the styptic pencil is the only thing I regret spending money on, even though it's so cheap. It hurts worse than the cut itself and does nothing for me. I stopped using it after the third time I cut myself. Interestingly though after I decided to stop using it I stopped getting nicks, maybe there was a psychosomatic thing going on.

My styptic pen just sat unused on the shelf. That was until one shave the razor found a zit or something and left me with a nasty cut. Good thing I had it because that cut bled like a sluice. Best Dollar Eighty I ever spent.

I have used a styptic pencil during my entire experience as a wet shaver, which is all of my adult life.

To be honest, I have needed it less using a straight razor than I did when using a multi-blade catridge or de razor.

I have one but haven't used it in years. As I recall in my early days when I needed it I was able to stop some major bleeders with it. You have to wet it with hot water first and then rub it over the wound.

Just make sure its not a alum stick.

Holy old thread resurrection!

I bought my styptic when moving to a straight a couple months ago. Have not taken it out of the container yet. I started the wet way to change the routine mainly. I would just spash my face and run the quattro against the grain real quick a few times a week. It is nice to slow it down and enjoy what used to be a 2 minute chore for me.

Its nice to know I am not the only person whose face is baby butt soft steel.

I just look at the styptic pencil as doing its job sitting there nearby. You know if you throw it away, you are going to start gauging your face. And if it is sitting there aparently doing nothing, you wont get a nick. So how can you say it dont work?

I have to agree with those who've said...the more skilled you become at shaving, the less you will need a styptic.

That said, if you are bleeding and any of these apply:

You're on blood thinners, you've recently taken aspirin, you're a decendent of the Bourbons....it takes a looong time for your blood to clot. It's probably NOT the fault of the styptic pencil.

I use my styptic all the time!for my dogs nails if they get cut too schort, cuts on my arms after pruining, after that dog fight i split up, oh and once I think on my face after i popped a really big zit.

Originally Posted by HNSB

Mine always works fine for me. I get it wet with hot water and then rub it around the cut area. I then dab the area dry with toilet paper, and then re-apply the styptic if needed.

I know some here have said cold water works best for them. I've notice for me that dipping the styptic pencil in hot water seems to make it more effective for me. The other day I had a small cut and used warm water instead of cold. Applying the styptic felt very different with the warm water; it almost felt as if the wound was sucked closed and it really felt that way. I had never experienced that before when using cold water.

I sprang for a tube of "My Nick Is Sealed," and find it works faster and more effectively than a styptic pencil. YMMV.

I think styptic pencils are magic.I have always been amazed at how well mine works.I always wet mine in anticipation before it even make up my lather.Never failed me.One of these days when i finally succeed in cutting my ear lobes off completely I will no longer need it,since that is the only area it ever gets used on. Cautionary note: styptic pencil+tile floor=alot of little shards which WILL hide and lodge in your bare foot on a 2 AM potty adventure...not cool