Thread: I Love Me Some Alum Block

Only read small bits here and there about Alum blocks-

What is the procedure for its use-

Wash face, leave damp then glide block over skin??

Are styptic pencils made of one alum and the blocks under
discussion here another?

Originally Posted by Oldfalguy

Only read small bits here and there about Alum blocks-

What is the procedure for its use-

Wash face, leave damp then glide block over skin??

Are styptic pencils made of one alum and the blocks under
discussion here another?

Just splash your face with water to rinse the soap off. Then run your block under some cold water and rub it on your face. Dry off your block with some toilet paper, stick it in it's case thingy and then rinse off your face with cold water. Apply AS.

Originally Posted by Oldfalguy

Only read small bits here and there about Alum blocks-

What is the procedure for its use-

Wash face, leave damp then glide block over skin??

Are styptic pencils made of one alum and the blocks under
discussion here another?

after i make my final shaving pass, i rinse with warm water,pat dry with towel,and then i take a face cloth and soak it with cold water,then squeeze most of the water out and then put the cold face cloth on my face,after my face is cooled down ,i take the alum block and wet it with cold water and rub the block all over my face 2times,then i dry the block on a towel, rinse my brush,dry my razor, strop it 20 laps,oil razor,then i rinse my face with cool water and then apply balm and AS. hope this helps

Will have to find a block to try it out and see how it feels-

I think I turned a corner with my prep and most of that can be attributed to my GT scuttle keeping the lather warm throughout the shave plus the new razor was made shave ready by Lynn-
Hopefully I can maintain it with only a strop- got a TM coming to try out-

Alum works great, no razor burn anymore!!!! My 13 yr old daughter tried it to clear up a few pimples, it work! Ha! Ha! I couldnt believe it. I guess some of the old remedys are the best

+1 on the alum block.

I remember Glen mentioning it on a post I read over a year ago when I first started with straights. On my first use I remember it feeling freezing cold to the point where my arm hair raised. It doesn't have the "cooling" effect it used to have on me, but the razor burn is completely gone so I use it every time.

I just apply it, clean up my mess and by then it's dry. I take another quick shower to wash it off and then apply some type of AS balm. I want to try the cold water wash cloth right after shaving after reading that advice now.

Good thread!

I have found those deodorant crystals,and the like are excellent "alum blocks" and they are packaged nicely too.

Look in the antiperspirant section and you'll find it,It"s alum and its kind of
astringent ,refreshing kinda.These work great

+1 on the alum block. I've been using it for the past 2 weeks, and love it. I'm using a shavette currently, and even though have no weepers, am finding that alum reveals nicks where I haven't been careful enough. I rinse my face, rinse the alum block under running water, then rub it all over my face. Rinse it again under water, wipe dry, and store it. Then, I rinse my face with water again, dry, and apply ASB.

You know, I've been wondering whether or not you need to rinse off the alum after using. I don't find it leaves any noticeable residue or some such. I've seen directions where you do, and where you don't. Personally I use an astringent ( thayers witch haZel) after, copiously, which is so
ewhat of a pseudo-rinse, but have wondered if there is some reason that makes a full rinse necessary or desirable. Anyone know?

Cheers

I find that if I do not rinse the alum off my face, it tends to over dry my skin and actually irritates my face.
I sometimes wonder if washing my face with some soap after the alum would help or if I am just being counter productive to the alum.