Thread: alum block put my face on fire lol

i just started with the straight razor had three or four shaves then i went out a purchased an alum block so after my next shave i ran the alum block under the cold water rubbed it on my face and i nearly cried am i doing something wrong maybe just shaving to much?

Hey Joe9tt!
Tell me a little more about your process (e.g. how many passes, what kind of prep etc...)

Usually, for me, stinging alum is an indication that I was a little heavy handed with my shave. Any pressure is really too much and I end up with very slight razor burn that I don't notice until the alum.

This isn't automatically the case for you though which is why I ask about your process.

so...Take me through your steps!

-Rob

Oh yeah! Me too. It was suggested to me that I could use the alum block as an indicator of heavy handed shaving. I have been getting some increadible shaves, and I'm trying to consciously lighten my hand - but my neck still stings like heck!

+1 on what alembic said about "heavy handed shaving".

I use an alum block after each shave, and it helps me to determine several things:

Too much pressure
Dulling/poorly honed edge
Bad prep
Etc...

Usually, the cause of the burn is evident. Generally, when your alum block burns your face to hell and back, it is due to too much pressure. If you are confident in your angle/pressure, then the next most likely cause is a dull edge. Otherwise, you may want to consider other variables such as bad prep, poor shaving cream, etc...

A good shave should have zero burn from the Alum block (IME) YMMV...

Was the block you bought Potassium Alum or Ammonium Alum. If its ammonium you shouldn't be using that. It's for under arm deodorant.

If it's the Potassium that's the ultimate test of a great shave. You either pass or fail and if you fail instead of going to detention you get a burning face.

i think i must have been heavy handed i take two full passes but as i am new i do miss bits here and there so i would go over them bits again and maybe again til i happy what should the alum block feel like and how do i know when i am being heavy handed. its been about 12 hours from that shave and my face is still sore and full of red blots lol we can only learn from our mistakes

I have quite sensitive skin, so alum tends to make my face a little red for a few minutes after the shave. It doesnt sting or burn though, but I can feel a sort of prickle as it dries.

Thanks, I've learned something here.
I thought it was supposed to sting, luckily I don't use alum much these days, prefer whichhazel.

I find that when I have shaved properly with a proper edged blade, I get little more than a tingle from the alum block. It doesn't hurt and is far from uncomfortable.

When I started shaving I got into using heavier razors and found over time that I had to consciously "hold them back" as even the weight of some of them would be too much (my 8/8 full wedge is like this).

There are a lot of factors that can lead to irritation and my observations may not be the right ones for your situation, but I hope it helps some.

-Rob

thanks a million guys this has help me a lot i thank i understand what the problem was i will let my face heal for a week or three lol and see if i can improve my skills i never knew there was so much involved in the SIMPLE task of shaving