Thread: styptic stick / alum block for Cuts

Ok, so I know a stypic pencil or alum block works great for little nicks and small cuts while shaving but what about cuts - as in big open wounds. Drying my blade off with a tissue instead of a cloth (as per a friend's recommendation since I seem to be in the habit of getting water spots) and my razor went through the end of my finger (as well as of course the tissue) like a boiling blade to butter. Pretty clean slice - the type that doesn't start bleeding till you can see the white and then the blood starts comes delayed like. Would this be too big a slice to apply an alum block or something of the kind? and if I did apply it it would no doubt stop the bleeding nice and quick - and possibly promote healing? Look forward to your thoughts guys. Thanks!

The pencil and alum block are really different things. The block is pure alum which in my experience never stopped any bleeding no matter how minor. The pencil contains other ingredients to stop bleeding however either way it's for small stuff nothing like a large cut.

It's ironic that my worst SR cut was on my pinkie finger. I hardly noticed at first, but it was a scalpel-like incision and bled a lot. I stopped the bleeding the old fashioned way, with tissue paper and pressure.

I suspect the styptic pencil might not be up to the task of clogging large bleeding wounds and would instead just up up stinging like a b*#ch. That's just a guess since I haven't given myself any major gashes that a styptic pencil couldn't handle.

You need crazy glue to do it.A couple years ago I was concentrating on the corner of my mouth so intently,I sliced through the edge of my nostril.

That bled pretty good , between gluing my fingers to my nose,the fumes of the crazy glue really irritating my eyes ,but it stopped the bleed very well.

and thats why you always wipe from the spine, meaning wrap the tissue around the spine with the sharp end facing down or outward

Coming from a paramedic firefighter and a recent straight user....the pencil works pretty good for alot of things, but while restoring a vintage blade of my own....Nothing works better than direct pressure, surgical glue, and a possible trip to the emergency room....Direct pressure to stop the bleeding (5-10 minutes) evaluate the wound and then decide if you are making a trip to get sewn up or glued up...GOOD LUCK!

I immediately applied pressure with some tissue and wrapped it up in tape and it has been like that all day. I had a look at it in between as it had continued to bleed and needed changing. Haven't looked at it since but sure it is fine and that I won't need stitches - oh and i will be looking into getting some surgical glue for the next time! And yes I'm sure a styptic pencil would have killed... Thanks for your thoughts guys! easy,

According to Clint Eastwood in "The Outlaw Josey Wales" nothing stops the bleeding faster that slapping hot iron on it.

Originally Posted by Alembic

According to Clint Eastwood in "The Outlaw Josey Wales" nothing stops the bleeding faster that slapping hot iron on it.

I distinctly remember that part.

Hello, everyone:

Yes, of course, the styptic pencil and the alum block are two different things, I agree with Thebigspendur. I, too, believe alum block is not used to stop the bleeding. Styptic pencil is for that purpose, and only on small cuts. On big cuts, I suggest a piece of cotton or clean cloth and plenty of steady pressure with the fingers to stop the bleeding.

Regards,

Obie