Thread: alum block question

I have been using Shavex for about 2 years. That block is great and takes forever to wear down. I used it to close the weepers. I would wet my face, gently rub the block along my face, let it dry for a minute or so, then splash on some witch hazel as an aftershave. I didn't have to wet the block for it to work well. And, I never got any chalky residue.

However, I stopped using alum all together over a month ago. I worked on my shaving techniques and preps and did not feel the need for alum.

One of the most common mistakes is leaving the alum block on to long. Apply to wet face and wash off with cold water after about 1 minute. If you leave it on to long it will irritate your face.

Mother-in-law bought me a block from Art of Shaving. Used it last night for the first time. Interesting, but I will not be replacing it when the time comes. Prefer Witch Hazel. YMMV.

My skin favours alum.
The main difference between alums is density, the cheaper brands have tiny suspended air pockets that can be course on the skin as they wear. The more air in the alum the more cloudy they appear so you will find the more expensive alums tend to be clear.
For me personally I couldn't remove alum from my shave ritual.

Alum block is part of my shaving regimen as well. Purchased recently a 125g block from Shavex which comes with a nice plastic container. Seems like it will last for a couple of years!!

I use a De Vergulde Hand block, i got it mainly because of the holder it comes in

really find it a great post shave treatment. never tryed Osma but that was the one i was gonna get before i saw the De Vergulde Hand.

I usually use the alum block then dry my razor off with some tissue then rinse the alum off, i find that gives me about the right amount of skin contact time.

You can buy the same stuff at large asian grocery stores for $1.29/Lb in the spice section,will last for yrs.

Alum is alum for sure. Simply; for me it is a visual and tactual thing. A nice machined solid block of alum has some visual aesthetics to add to shaving experience. Nice ones with just a couple flaws/fractures looking like a large block of diamond sitting next to that $traight razor and other $tuff.

Just make sure the block you get for shaving is Potassium Alum not Ammonium Alum which is used as a "natural" deodorant block or crystal as they call it.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Just make sure the block you get for shaving is Potassium Alum not Ammonium Alum which is used as a "natural" deodorant block or crystal as they call it.

Yes, I hear that mentioned quite a bit. Been using using the ammonium alum deodorant crystal post shave for a couple of years now with no apparent ill effect. I was told by a pharmacist that it would sting a little more was the only difference.

Bob