Styptic pencil

[Slo-mo]

Why is there an expiry date and a warnng not to exceed it on my styptic pencil?

[shooty]

acknowledged Mike : (

[theprof]

mike11111, as long as an alum based styptic pencil is kept dry between use, it will indeed last forever. As you are probably aware, alum based styptic pencils do include an instruction to dry the pencil after every use.

[theprof]

Without thorough drying, alum styptic pencils degrade and fall apart quite rapidly. The pencil manufacturers' rely on the this in order to sell more pencils - after all, most people will be too preoccupied in stopping the bleeding rather than taking care of the pencil afterwards.

[Slo-mo]

My thanks to you all for your answers, they have given me what I wanted plus a good laugh(something we all need). Incidentally, no one mentioned how good the pencil is at waking your up in the morning-- it does sting!
Thanks again,
Slo-mo.

[Pobjoy_PA]

I bought a new styptic pencil today, 17th Sept 2016, and noticed an expiry date on the packaging of March 2017 - I bought the pencil as a replacement for one I've had for over 45 years which still works (used it successfully this morning). As I've used an electric razor for the last 35+ years, the old pencil didn't get much use but seems to be more in demand these days and is looking a bit crumbly so I thought a new one might be advisable. In light of my experience and other answers, I think I'll take my chances with the manufacturer's advice!! It contains 98.66% Aluminium Sulphate and 1.34% Talc - if anybody can come up with a good reason not to ignore the manufacturer's advice, I'd be interested.