Gents -

Had my 5th shave today. Have to admit it's getting better all the time. WTG strokes all gave a very acceptable shave (albeit with several nicks and significant burn on the neck), even with my thick beard. ATG stroke on the right cheek gave me BBS (didn't do a second stroke anywhere else)!

Used an alum block for the first time today in order to quell the bleeding and tighten the rest of the skin. Two questions on the alum:

1. Does Alum really work to stop bleeding? I had a fairly signficant cut below the left nostril, holding the block there for a minute didn't seem to do much other than get blood all over the block (perhaps I didn't wait long enough?)

2. How do most people work the alum block into their general shave routine? I also use Bay Rum as an after shave astringent and a very soothing lotion to stop the burning from the former.

Cheers,

- HJ