What's the difference between an alum block and a styptic pencil?

[Swan]

What's the difference between an alum block and a styptic pencil? I know that they are made from different materials but their purposes seems to be the same.

Is there something I am missing? Is there a reason why one would be preferred over the other?

Thank you for your insights.

[10Pups]

Thanks for asking this. I will be watching too. From what I gather the alum is used on the skin after each shave and the other difference is about 17 bucks ?

[sbonder]

I believe that Alum is good for small nicks and weepers. Also a good antiseptic that closes the pores after a shave. Some folks use the block all over the face after a shave, let it sit while cleaning up brush, etc then rinse and put on after shave. Styptic is for nicks and cuts and not some thing you would put all over your face.

[ZeroCool]

It's my understanding a stypic pencil is for closing cuts that are bleeding. The alum block is for sealing micro cuts with no blood, more like an stringent to tighten the skin and prevent bacteria in micro cuts.

I may be wrong but that's what I use them for. You can pick up a block pretty cheap...from $3-$10. They sell more expensive ones but I haven't seen a benefit from them.

[Storsven]

My own personal use of alum block is to rub it all over the still moist face after a shave. It does close minor weepers and small cuts. The styptic stick is more for hard core repair, the larger cuts. BTW don't pay more than US$7-8 for one. Someone said you can get them for a couple of bucks at Indian stores, but I haven't looked.

One alum block will last forever - or until you drop it in the sink and it shatters - whichever comes first. If you put it in a sealed container or a zip lock bag I have heard that it will melt.

Alum - Straight Razor Place Wiki

[unit]

Are they different materials? I thought the styptic was the same except it is more porous so it dissolves product onto the area more readily?

Alum is pure aluminum sulfate according to my resources. Where as styptic is ~56% aluminum sulfate (alum) with the remainder being titanium dioxide and alcohol.

The styptic uses these other ingredients to make the skin look more natural (not to aid clotting) so that the product can be left on.

There is your primary difference. Styptic is intended for bigger cuts and to be *left on*. For if washed off, the cut may begin bleeding again. By contrast alum is a temporary treatment that is intended to be washed off the face prior to leaving the shavatorium.

[Pyrateknight]

+1 to unit there. Styptic is for actual cuts and is left on.

[Storsven]

The two are related but quite different chemically.

Styptic pencils are normally made from aluminium sulfate. Alum blocks are made from a different form of aluminum sulfate.

Alum blocks are made of potassium double sulfate of aluminium. Its chemical formula is KAl(SO4)2 and it is commonly found in its dodecahydrate form as KAl(SO4)2·12(H2O). Alum is the common name for this chemical compound, given the nomenclature of potassium aluminum sulfate dodecahydrate.

[Swan]

I guess I will purchase an alum block to complement my styptic pencil.

I noticed that with the styptic pencil you have white residue on your face if you do not wipe it off.

After my first shave I had only 1 cut and quite a few little nicks. I ended up just using the styptic pencil like a giant crayon for my face.

[Pyrateknight]

I guess I will purchase an alum block to complement my styptic pencil.

I noticed that with the styptic pencil you have white residue on your face if you do not wipe it off.

After my first shave I had only 1 cut and quite a few little nicks. I ended up just using the styptic pencil like a giant crayon for my face.

After the bleeding stops wet a finger and gently rub the white areas. They should disappear.