My First Stick Poke Tattoo

I always said that I would never get a Stick Poke tattoo but my friend is an almost-professional Stick Poke artist so I thought I would give it a whirl. Last night I got my first Stick Poke tattoo, and then got another one immediately after. I got the numbers 1965 and 1993 on my feet. 1965 is the year my parents were born and 1993 is the year that I was born.

I have about 40 tattoos done by artists with a gun in a shop but these Stick Poke tattoos felt totally different. A tattoo with a gun feels more smooth and more like a tear. The Stick Poke literally felt like he was poking me with a knife over and over again. Then my body started to overheat so I had to take my shirt off. This happens when I get tattooed by any method. I havent had any other tattoos on my feet so I cant tell if the pain was more or less than with a gun. Ive heard the foot is one of the most painful places to get tattooed though.

The needle is not just one pointy needle but a grouping of seven needles. The needle punctures the skin and leaves black ink behind. You dont feel seven different needles going in, it just feels like one. The artist, Nion McEvoy Jr., kept dabbing the needle in the little container of ink, then jabbing it into my skin. After the first few pokes I got used to it and was able to do another tattoo immediately after. I just got used to the pain. This was my first experience with Stick Poke tattoos and Im already itching to get another one!