styptic pencil 29 May 2022 at 7:14PM edited 29 May 2022 at 7:14PM in Health & beauty MoneySaving 7 replies 331 views

theoretica

After a fruitless expedition where I discovered not only did neither Boots nor Superdrug have styptic pencils, they had staff who had never heard of them... Any recommendations for shops likely to stock one cheaply?  I resent paying postage on something that I expect to buy locally and cheaply.

Also - why have they vanished?  Just because of safety razors?  Or am I missing a modern alternative that is more convenient than an alum block? Shop staff who had never heard of what I was asking for were not useful at suggesting alternatives.

Floss

Maybe the previous fashion for electric shaving reduced the need, and TBH I only know what they are coz my dad had one. They are available on that large online retail site.

MalMonroe

They have these at amazon -

20 Styptic Matches/Alum pencil sticks. 1 wallet of 20 matches (rather than a pencil)

£1.99 per wallet with free delivery. 

They have them here too -

https://www.dailychemist.com/product/safe-sound-styptic-pencil/

Daily chemist - delivery £2.99, pencil costs £1.21.

A quick google brought up a lot of alternatives. 

theoretica

Yes - I saw they were available online, but I would really rather not pay £2.99 delivery on something I expected to pick up for a couple of pounds...

MovingForwards

eBay, sort by UK and price low, and you'll find them for a couple of quid.

The block is ok as it lasts ages, OH uses one. He has the match type too but isn't impressed with those.

Murphybear

theoretica said:

Yes - I saw they were available online, but I would really rather not pay £2.99 delivery on something I expected to pick up for a couple of pounds...

The ones from Amazon have free delivery.  

SeanCo

My last one came from Savers and I've seen them in independent chemists previously

The only alternative I'm aware of is a gel made by Proraso, but that is impossible to find in a bricks and mortar store and usually costs £3+

Rosa_Damascena

This takes me back a couple of decades! Demand dropped off as technology improved.