So for the last few weeks I've been using a new razor I bought from here: http://www.safetyrazor.com.au/
This is the razor I've been using. It's very similar to a straight razor, however it uses replaceable blades. This means that I don't have to worry about honing or stropping to have a nice sharp edge.

The stuff I ordered.

So after using this razor for a few weeks I have been very happy with it. I have nicked myself and had to use the styptic pencil. Thankfully that was only one morning. I'm hoping to buy a proper brush and a bar of shaving soap soon which I expect will improve my shaves significantly.

Just quickly, on the styptic pencils. I had to look a little to find instructions on their use. So here is my method from what I found. After cutting yourself you wet the end of the pencil so it will leave a little of itself behind when rubbed on the skin. Then just rub the tip of it on the cut. This will sting a little depending on how bad you've nicked yourself. Once you've rubbed it around for a short time just rinse the blood off the pencil and put it somewhere to dry.

So apparently the way they work; is when the pencil is wetted it leaves a little of itself behind in the cut when you rub it in. The main thing that does the job is called Alum which I believe is an aluminium oxide of some description. It works by causing the tissue in that are to shrink. In particularly the capillaries that have been broken. This shrinking is what stems the flow of blood.

Once I get a brush and soap I will write a followup and discuss any differences I find with that as well.

Cheers,
Rex