Thread: Alum Block ... what does it teach you?

Okay I'm pretty new to SR shaving. With about 20 shaves or so under my belt and the other days I use a DE. The DE has improved since using a SR. From memory my first shave was the best result. I'm guess because Lynn honed the razor and since then it's lost some sharpness. I keep searching for the right sharpness sometimes I feel it's too sharp and harsh feeling. I've refreshed on felt with diamond spray, scrub leather and finish on english leather.

Today I got a pretty good result maybe a little above average which is a trace amount of stubble in the more difficult areas, neck, chin upper lip. Yesterday I hit the BSS shave with my DE. Wasn't going to go for it but it was just one of those days. No irritation at all and BSS too boot.

So that brings me to the Alum Block. What does it teach you? Are there healing benefits from using this mineral? Today like I said was a SR shave with three light passes and some mild touch up. I could start to feel some irritation so I settled for good enough. The alum block was rinsed in cold water and rubbed all over my shave area. Very little stinging but just not sure what I should be looking for.

My shave angles have improved along with razor pressure but streching my skin needs a lot of improvement. I suspect when that happens my shaves will get closer. With a SR I can only tolerate about 3-4 passes max so I have to hit the goal by then or settle for good enough. Sometimes after 2 passes if I feel I'm off I'll use the DE for the third pass. Occassionally the alum block really stings because I did too many passes or used too much pressure.

Just wanted to get your thoughts on the alum block and if you use one.

Alum is an astringent, coagulant and styptic; it cleans the wound and causes the capillaries to constrict, limiting bleeding and promoting a scab-free healing.

I noticed that you said your razor often felt overly sharp; but then you used diamond spray. Why would you do something to provide edge finishing if the edge is already, well, sharp? Just asking; I'm a newbie too and my only maintenance so far is nightly + pre + post-shave stropping.

Tom

Originally Posted by DarthLord

Alum is an astringent, coagulant and styptic; it cleans the wound and causes the capillaries to constrict, limiting bleeding and promoting a scab-free healing.

I noticed that you said your razor often felt overly sharp; but then you used diamond spray. Why would you do something to provide edge finishing if the edge is already, well, sharp? Just asking; I'm a newbie too and my only maintenance so far is nightly + pre + post-shave stropping.
Tom

I went to the diamond spray and felt on a paddle strop after I felt the razor had lost it's edge alittle and needed refreshing. I'd say it was around the 12th shave or so. I've done this twice now. After refreshing it was noticeably sharper less tugging but started feeling harsher. Many say diamond spray does this over cromium oxide. Lynn suggested the diamond spray with felt so it was worth a try.

Dunno still adjusting to find the sweet spot.

I have started stropping up to about 80 passes with the last 20-30 being extremely light pressure and doing an X stroke.

Originally Posted by rmagnus

I went to the diamond spray and felt on a paddle strop after I felt the razor had lost it's edge alittle and needed refreshing. I'd say it was around the 12th shave or so. I've done this twice now. After refreshing it was noticeably sharper less tugging but started feeling harsher. Many say diamond spray does this over cromium oxide. Lynn suggested the diamond spray with felt so it was worth a try.

Dunno still adjusting to find the sweet spot.

I have started stropping up to about 80 passes with the last 20-30 being extremely light pressure and doing an X stroke.

Okay; and did you strop it on leather afterwards to smooth out the edge?

Yes, specifically..

7-8 strokes on felt with diamond spray, wipe off blade

25 strokes on rough leather, wipe off blade

80 strokes on finishing leather last 25+ very light X strokes. Originally I did 50 strokes but felt it was still harsh so I went to 80 strokes, feels better.

Besides the benefits listed above, Alum blocks give a good idea of when you are using to much pressure. After a few passes of to much pressure, you can really scrape your skin up. Alum will give you a slight "burn" when rubbed over a raw area. Also good for feedback if your razor is sharp, but not so smooth (I have this issue off of my 8K shaves, still working on a lighter touch on the hone and better stropping.

Thats my next step honing. Thinking about a set of Naniwa stones. Right now I'd like to have just the 12K for refreshig and smoothing out the blade. I've read the 8K with the right skill will do the job.

For me: if everything is correct, rubbing the alum block on my face yields no burn or anything. If my lather is not good; slight burn. If my technique is not good; slight burn or worse. If my razor needs a touch-up; slight burn and gets worse depending upon how bad the razor needs the touch-up. Too much pressure: same thing- slight burn. Any combination of the above; BURN!

Keeps me honest and paying attention!

Originally Posted by rmagnus

80 strokes on finishing leather last 25+ very light X strokes.

From my experience, I need to be really careful with very like strokes on the strop. I've had a razor hit the ground quite close to my sock clad foot several times. Very light stroke and a polished shank didn't mix.