Pre-soaked alum

I had an enjoyable experience with last two shaves. I started wetting my alum with hot water and let it sit while I shave. The idea was to get more alum action for close shaves. Before I would have to re-wet alum a time or two during application to keep it sliding on skin. It did sting more so I think I got a more concentrated alum application. Now here what took me by surprise was the wet alum was cold wet. It felt so good after a hot water rinsing off shave soap the feel of cold wet alum block. I realize running cold water on the alum will produce same results. I have only used hot water. Don't know why. Har!

Anybody do anything like this?

I keep the cold water to a slight flow as I dip the alum bar under it for each swipe on the face.

i started setting my alum on a wet washcloth while i shower in the hopes that i would get more alum on my skin.
Not sure if it makes much of a difference but little extra effort required.
I do love my alum.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hirlau

I keep the cold water to a slight flow as I dip the alum bar under it for each swipe on the face.

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^^^This is exactly what I do as well.

That'll work,,,,,:beer2:

Hmm, I've never had this issue! I just rinse my face after the shave, and while my hands and face are still wet, I rub the alum block all over... Never had any issues with it not sliding on my skin during application.

Do you guys apply it to dry skin?

I place a whole block of Alum in a 1 liter (quart) lidded container and fill it up with distilled water. Depending on the size of the block, the entire thing might dissolve. I pour some of that water into a small spray bottle and use it as an underarm deodorant (also available from RazoRock premixed with Aloe and I think you can get lavender scented?) and for after shaving. I had a bottle of the RazoRock stuff and I liked it a lot, but it ran out in the middle of the Canadian winter... not the best time for shipping water based stuff, so I made my own and it works just as well.

Regards

Christian

I dropped my alum stick, and of course it shattered. So I put the remnants in very hot water to dissolve them. I now use it as an aftershave splash with very nice results. I did order another alum block, but in the meantime, this is working.

Improvise, Adapt & Overcome ;)

I've gotten lazy with my alum, but would wet my face and let cold water run over it for approx. 30 seconds. When applying, I will switch sides to whichever is on the bottom when the rubbing side dries out. Seems to work pretty decent, but will have to give a spaking alum a shot

I don't use the stuff anymore but when I did I just wet the block and rubbed it on my face and when it balked, wet it again.

A pretty simple procedure really.

Aloha!

I don't use Alum much any longer. When I was first learning to wet shave either DE or Straight, I'd use a block of Alum to "check my work", so to speak. Any stings I knew there was an issue. Now I only use a styptic pencil to seal an errant cut. I do have a nice Alum block in a case, basically brand new. I should start using it more. I just got out of the habit.

But for me, it's just a simple matter of wetting of the Alum block and rubbing it on the skin.

-Zip

I never have felt the need to wet the alum. I just rinse residual lather off my face and then rub the dry alum block on my wet face.