Thread: styptics

Hello there,

I am new to straight shaving. Exactly what/where/when/why/who/how is a styptic used?

Basically it's used to stop bleeding/seal up small nicks or cuts.

Styptic is potassium alum, titanium dioxide, or anhydrous aluminum sulfate in a solid (pencil) or powder form and it's used to control bleeding from the cuts, scratches, and nicks the new SR shaver is bound to experience. Swab the blood off, moisten the area and apply the pencil or powder,,,,,and stand by for the burn! It stings like Hell, but stops the bleeding. I personally find the powder to do a better job than the pencil. Your local drugstore will carry the styptic pencil, but you'll likely have to order the powder from a shaving specialty shop (classicshaving.com is a good choice).

Welcome aboard!

Thanks for the info. That is what I thought. I tried it on a cut, but NOTHING happend. No stinging or anything else. Since it is in the solid cylindircal shape, from Vintage Blades, should I prepare it in any way?

I usually dampen mine under cold water

Make sure you have the styptic stick and not an alum block. They are somewhat similar but the stick contains other ingredients. The alum block does little or nothing to stop bleeding.

Originally Posted by SKIMAN

Thanks for the info. That is what I thought. I tried it on a cut, but NOTHING happend. No stinging or anything else. Since it is in the solid cylindircal shape, from Vintage Blades, should I prepare it in any way?

You have to put some water on it.