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  1. #1
    CRR
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    Default Styptic Pencil vs Alum Block

    What's the difference between the two? I use those clubman styptic pencils and they work great. Why would I want a huge alum block bar to rub on my nicks? Is there an advantage to one verses the other?

    What are your preferences, if any?

  2. #2
    Senior Member Korndog's Avatar
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    I have both; the pencil works better for me.

  3. #3
    Senior Member JerseyLawyer's Avatar
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    I mainly use a styptic pencil as well. However, some people use an alum block as an aftershave, essentially, over the entire face, to close the pores and tighten the skin. I suspect that's why it's that size.

  4. #4
    Senior Member Kelly's Avatar
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    Does the Alum leave trace white residue the way the stypic does? I'm guessing not... and that being the case, I could see the prefrence for the alum over the stypic.

  5. #5
    Senior Member Korndog's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kelly
    Does the Alum leave trace white residue the way the stypic does? I'm guessing not... and that being the case, I could see the prefrence for the alum over the stypic.
    True but it doesn't stop bleeding as well.

  6. #6
    CRR
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    I just rub off the white residue off after a few minutes anyway.

  7. #7
    Member AFDavis11's Avatar
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    The alum block lasts a long, long, time. Like straight razor time. Buy one and your done. I've heard of guys applying to the whole face. Seems odd to me, but never tried it. I agree its slightly less effective then styptic. Its a little more geared to straight razor shavers. We either need a little alum or gauze packs. DE users nick themselves pretty severly and need the styptic. Ofcourse the styptic being more effective is more popular. But I do like the clear application of my alum block.
    Last edited by AFDavis11; 01-12-2006 at 10:19 AM.

  8. #8
    Senior Member robertlampo's Avatar
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    The alum block does go on clear but I find that a dab of vaseline along with the alum block works the best to coagulate the blood. If that doesn't work, I break out my suture set and stitch myself up!!

  9. #9
    Senior Member JerseyLawyer's Avatar
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    I cut myself, not too badly, at the very top of my lip. Of course, it bled like crazy. So, it took a few minutes of alternative pressure and styptic applications to get it to stop (can't put a band-aid there, either).

    By the time I was finished, the styptic had dried my lip out to the point I looked like I had a hare lip. Fortunately, it promptly recovered.

    Just funny, at least to me. Though not at the time!

    I'm going to have to try an alum block now.

  10. #10
    Face nicker RichZ's Avatar
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    The alum block is not as effective than the stypic for a good bleeder.

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