Styptic Pencil vs Alum Block

[CRR]

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?

[Korndog]

I have both; the pencil works better for me.

[JerseyLawyer]

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.

[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.

[Korndog]

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.

[CRR]

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

[AFDavis11]

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.

[robertlampo]

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!!

[JerseyLawyer]

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.

[RichZ]

The alum block is not as effective than the stypic for a good bleeder.