Thread: Use of alum block

Whether you should use it after every shave is something for you to decide. Try it out, and decide for yourself. The same goes for whether to leave it on or rinse it off. However, most people, including myself, seem to prefer to rinse it off since the astringency can become uncomfortable.

One thing that no one has mentioned: make sure to dry off the alum block after use. If you leave it wet or on a wet surface, alum crystals (that are more or less useless) similar in appearance to salt will form on the alum block, which will drastically shorten the life of your block.

Originally Posted by vileru

Whether you should use it after every shave is something for you to decide. Try it out, and decide for yourself. The same goes for whether to leave it on or rinse it off. However, most people, including myself, seem to prefer to rinse it off since the astringency can become uncomfortable.

One thing that no one has mentioned: make sure to dry off the alum block after use. If you leave it wet or on a wet surface, alum crystals (that are more or less useless) similar in appearance to salt will form on the alum block, which will drastically shorten the life of your block.

For sure! And your block will no more be smooth!

I used Alum for years and then got tired of the tight sensation it gave my face. Then I would wash it off after a few minutes. These days I stopped using the stuff entirely.

I guess one of these days I'll use it again.

You know what they say, "everything old is new again".

Or worse yet had one start leaking grit out a hole on the side as it lost its internal integrity. Har! I tried water melting a couple to smooth them out with no luck. It does not fuse back together or fill in the cracks they just get deeper.

The consistency vary considerably between brands. Some seem one solid crystal block others seem to be a conglomerate of chunks to a conglomerate of sand. I think the solid crystal blocks seem to do a lighter application where the courser blocks is heavier. Let it sit wet for a few seconds and it seems like a heavier application, a thicker slurry of alum & water. Hot water seems to dissolve quicker than cold water.

Or have I overt thought this? Har!!

I prefer the smoother blocks and have trashed a couple that got rough surfaced or crumbly.

Razorock alum after every shave. As my brother says, it's like a perpetual face-lift.

Originally Posted by vileru

Whether you should use it after every shave is something for you to decide. Try it out, and decide for yourself. The same goes for whether to leave it on or rinse it off. However, most people, including myself, seem to prefer to rinse it off since the astringency can become uncomfortable.

One thing that no one has mentioned: make sure to dry off the alum block after use. If you leave it wet or on a wet surface, alum crystals (that are more or less useless) similar in appearance to salt will form on the alum block, which will drastically shorten the life of your block.

I've had the same block for about 5 years, I usually shake it out and let it stand on one of the small ends. The side that it stands has developed crystals, however running your palm over them will smooth them out. I usually don't bother as I use the 4 larger sides for my face after running it under cold water. Although, who knows, it could be a useless white brick at this point!

I am new to shaving aswell I found best to use all over shaving area rinse with cold water and use a balm afterwards for irritation

Just for info if you want to use it there is a cheap solution, not my idea, believe it was the big spendur who told us about Tolumba, they sell the stuff really cheap and the blocks I got a year ago are really wearing well, but I do dry them after using, if I recall I got 5-6 blocks shipped for about 9$. I use it for every day shaving, I rub my fingers on it to give me the ability to stretch well, I used to use it after shaving too, but I like my Thayers witch hazel better. Tc

oh and Bill( Pixelfixed ) used to get large blocks from Asian food stores for a couple bucks.

Thanks Phil129!

Originally Posted by 767Driver

Thanks Phil129!

You're welcome.

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