Thread: OUCH! Styptic Pen

I'm only 36, but have had to shave for 25 or so years. I use a straight supplemented by a DE and an electric. Depending on the condition of my face and stubble length. I haven't cut myself with a straight in years other than the slightest little weep spot.

Sunday at the very bottom of my shave line 'bout 3/4" below the adam's apple and slightly left, I knicked myself a decent one. Had to actually open the styptic pen package. Wet it and rubbed it on and whoa what a sting. Felt worse than pure alcohol. Package said sting free. Did I get a bad pen or is that just some liberal advertising.

Any styptic pencil I've used gives a little
zing when applied. Nothing treachorous, but
it's still uncomfortable.

John

Originally Posted by dickenscpa

Did I get a bad pen or is that just some liberal advertising.

It's not liberal advertising, it's a flat out lie. Styptic pencils hurt, end of story. If the cut's not bad you may only get a little sting, but if you rub it on a bleeder, it's gonna wake you up!

I've had a stiptic pencil since before I started shaving. They do sting a fair bit, but remember that it's better than bleeding for long while. Unless you want that tough, just got your face split open look. Handy for getting the last seat on the train or bus...

Originally Posted by jockeys

It's not liberal advertising, it's a flat out lie.

BWAHAHAHA!!! So true, so true! I will never forget the first time I had to use one. That one will stay with me forever!!!

Originally Posted by Windcalmer

BWAHAHAHA!!! So true, so true! I will never forget the first time I had to use one. That one will stay with me forever!!!

Based on this post http://straightrazorpalace.com/showp...37&postcount=9 you mean yesterday?!?!

I haven't purchased my styptic pen yet... From the responses here, I'm guessing I should and I'm not looking forward to having to use it....

What about that liquid bandage stuff? I've used it before for other cuts and whatnot, and it burns a little, but shuts the wound up instantly.

My girlfriend took a small chunk off of the tip of her finger with a razor blade one time, and the only thing that stopped the bleeding was the liquid bandage, and it stopped immediately. I was amazed.

No, that first time I had to use one was way back when I started (like 13 or 14) Using a crappy disposable. Yesterday, I didn't have the stones to use the Styptic pen. I was a wussy.

I like to think of the styptic pencil as a penance for not being careful enough. (In my case - I don't want to accidentally insult anyone's shaving chops.) It's got more than enough bite to make me think twice about rushing or using a bad angle. As a bit off topic, I'm pretty sure that Vets (the doctor, not the soldier) recommend a styptic powder when clipping pets nails, especially birds, in case you cut too short. Imagine trying to hold a cat still and dipping its claws in something that gives that jolt! You'll be the one needing styptic after that!

I told a friend that I'd be taking up straight shaving, and this is what he wrote me:

The best coagulate around..... sugar. Learned it after I sliced my finger at work in college. Pour some sugar on it, and it just stops. And it doesn't sting or anything.

Anyone ever heard of using sugar for knife-fight wounds?