Thread: Differences in Alum

The block on the left was broken or originally deliver like that ?
A used Broken Osma has the same look (I broke all of mine regularly ..)
NB: I know only Osma

Originally Posted by Fdevil

The block on the left was broken or originally deliver like that ?
A used Broken Osma has the same look (I broke all of mine regularly ..)
NB: I know only Osma

The AOS alum is old and worn and was dropped a few times when it was thin. So it broke. I included it as a reference to the quality of it over time and usage. it still retains its smoothness and translucency even after years of use and abuse. The osma seems to be about the same as far as I can tell. Shavex not so much.

Yes my eyes were opened after receiving the shavex first. This is cool I thought, works great. I then got the osma and looked at the shavex block like this looks kind of gross.

ABAD: alum block acquisition disorder, I like it. A couple of years back, I bought a block of the Portuguese 444 alum as it was larger and cheaper than Osma. As received, it had bumps and pits all over. I used it thinking that these would eventually smooth away. Eventually, I finished it. When I moved on to an Osma block afterwards, it was like moving to silken sheets after sleeping in burlap. The Osma was very smooth, out of the gate.

I think it's like ham; one is reconstituted the other actual stuff. I've used both types. The crystal type lasts longer but both work the same. Opinion/perception not scientific answer.

K2SO4Al(SO4)3·24H2O is the real stuff. It also comes in a sodium type and ammonium type. So the stuff can be manufactured or can come au natural as found in nature.

So, your experience with Alum will depend on the type and how pure it is.

A little bit of a necro but we will let it slide smoothalum The more pure the better!

Aloha!

I have always used a Styptic (traveling) or Alum Block (home) and never paid much attention to quality. I just bought whatever commercially available pencils and blocks were convenient. My current Alum Block is Gentleman Jon's Alum Block. I never even considered quality differences, but I suppose there are.

Oddly, to coincide with this thread re-up, for the first time in my wet shaving history, I just yesterday ordered Proraso Styptic Gel instead of Alum or Styptic Pencil. I have wanted to try the healing gel for quite a long time. Supposedly, no white spot or streak, no rinsing and the additional benefit of Menthol and Eucalyptus in the gel to promote comfort and healing.



I've been using a Styptic Pencil since, well, forever. I definitely need some sort of wound dressing when I use a Shavette. Not so much with a straight razor, and I haven't cut or nicked myself with a DE in so long it's out of my memory banks.

I have used a Bloc de Alum (Osma) since I first started shaving with a straight, and I I don’t think I’d chose something else, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it. But having looked at other members posts I think may try something new, especially the Proraso that ZipZod posted about, that looks quite appealing to me.

I also have Osma.

I have a styptic pencil from the local Shoppers Drug Mart too but gave up on pencils because I find that they crumble and don't last long.

My Osma Alum Block is as good as it was when I first bought it.