Thread: Do alum blocks go bad?

As long as you dry them out after using them, they will last. In my experience, storing an alum block or styptic pencil away wet in a container breaks them down.

Originally Posted by Firefighter2

As long as you dry them out after using them, they will last. In my experience, storing an alum block or styptic pencil away wet in a container breaks them down.

Yes and I found storing them wet in a closed container makes them smell awful too.

Bob

Just had a shave. 10/10 by the way.

My alum block decided not to work.

Dry fingers, wet fingers, dry face, wet face, however I tried it wouldn't give me any grip.

I think its knackered.

After each usage I just dry off with towel and set on counter in the open air till next time.
I fail to see any advantage to storing in closed container unless you are on a tropical island and need to protect from high humidity?

I use Razorock Alum . Use it to help stretch the skin gives my fingers an anchor to hold on to. Then I to my first post shave rinse with it. Still going strong after 10 mos. a lot smaller but still works.
H

When I keep them wet in the box, they get hole-y and scale-y and sharp. Kept dry in the air, they stay smooth and nice.

I found if you put them away wet into the box they would smell like crap after a bit.

Bob

Just before I use mine, I lay a couple layers of toilet paper on the sink. Rinse my face, rinse the Alum block and apply it to my face. After that I rinse the block again and dry it with the TP, and place it back in the original cardboard box.

Still have the same tiny block. Thayers Witch Hazel eliminates the need for Alum.

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