I Love Me Some Alum Block

I have about ten straight razor shaves under my belt, but yesterday was the first one where I applied alum block to my face after the shave.

Some minor stinging under the nose and a little bit on the neck.

But most importantly, I have NO RAZOR BURN today! I had some pretty significant burn after my three shaves previous to this last one. I gave my face a few days to recover, shaved, and applied the alum block.

The Shavex brand alum block leaves no residue, as advertised. Just be sure not to lick your lips before you rinse your face! Alum block tastes pretty bad.

Great results, though. :tu

If you're new and wondering what you can do to help with any razor burn you might have, delay no longer...get yourself an alum block.

~ Ryan

Works wonders dosen't it

MmMmMmM....Alum block.

It's my favorite part!

There's a funny scene in a three stooges movie where one of them eats some alum and the expressions on the guys face are priceless.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There's a funny scene in a three stooges movie where one of them eats some alum and the expressions on the guys face are priceless.

---

Ahhhh....yes...now that you mention that, it sounds very familiar. I grew up on the Stooges -- seen pretty much every episode, most episodes three or more times.

Classic stuff.

I tried one, but I found it irritated my skin quite badly and it used to take a few hours for it to settle down again.

Now I just use cold towels and Trumpers skin food, which seems to work well for me.

Glad the alum blocks are working for you though...! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stubear

I tried one, but I found it irritated my skin quite badly and it used to take a few hours for it to settle down again.

---

Yeah...that's exactly what I was worried would happen with me. But, I figured I'd give it a shot...and I'm glad I did.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There's a funny scene in a three stooges movie where one of them eats some alum and the expressions on the guys face are priceless.

---

having had some touch my lips... I can attest to that look!

:roflmao

Right on for the Stooge generation... My Dad hated them. All the kids used to watch them though. I just ordered me a hunk of Alum. Is Alum the same mineral as Styptic pencil?

You should see your wifes look after giving you a kiss...priceless!

i got some alum block in the post today
it came in shave stick style which i found easier to use than the block
a plastic base also helped with the grip
as in the past the amount of times the old block would slip & break on the sink or floor,

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MODINE

Right on for the Stooge generation... My Dad hated them. All the kids used to watch them though. I just ordered me a hunk of Alum. Is Alum the same mineral as Styptic pencil?

---

No. Both basically a kind of salt, but ALum is a slightly different.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MODINE

Right on for the Stooge generation... My Dad hated them. All the kids used to watch them though. I just ordered me a hunk of Alum. Is Alum the same mineral as Styptic pencil?

---

Most styptic pencils are aluminum sulfate. Alum, at least the most common alum is Potasium Aluminum Sulfate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by KingOfBreifne

I have about ten straight razor shaves under my belt, but yesterday was the first one where I applied alum block to my face after the shave.

Some minor stinging under the nose and a little bit on the neck.

But most importantly, I have NO RAZOR BURN today! I had some pretty significant burn after my three shaves previous to this last one. I gave my face a few days to recover, shaved, and applied the alum block.

The Shavex brand alum block leaves no residue, as advertised. Just be sure not to lick your lips before you rinse your face! Alum block tastes pretty bad.

Great results, though. :tu

If you're new and wondering what you can do to help with any razor burn you might have, delay no longer...get yourself an alum block.

~ Ryan

---

right on brother that stuff is great!!

Did a little searching online and found one retailer selling then for £0.60 then they go and spoil it and bung nearly £4 to deliver 1 bar. Still thats a good price :)

ian

Ryan,

Rubbing an alum bloc on my face after shaving and applying some cold water is part of my daily shaving ritual. I have been doing so for many years--long before I began using a str8 razor.

Alum is not for everybody, but I'm glad you liked it. To each his own...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jhenry

Alum is not for everybody, but I'm glad you liked it. To each his own...

---

Yeah...to be honest, I wish it wasn't necessary. It stings, and I'd much rather just apply a nice soothing aftershave balm and moisturizer right after my post-shave rinse, but the alum has worked wonders on heading off any razor burn.

It's an excellent tool for anyone like me who is susceptible to razor burn.

It's my sensitive, ruddy Irish skin.

~ Ryan

You know, I've been wondering about alum blocks: I use one every day, and it stings a little bit all over when I do - more, of course, if there's a nick. What I'm wondering is, is it *possible* to have a shave (close on a moderate to tough beard) that is so smooth and proper and the alum block doesnt sting at all? Is that what you guys who have been refining your techinique/razors/honing/everything for years get to? Or is that impossible, and it's just a fact of life that the alum block will sting some (though of course how *much* it stings can still be an indicator of how irritating the shave was)?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mijbil

You know, I've been wondering about alum blocks: I use one every day, and it stings a little bit all over when I do - more, of course, if there's a nick. What I'm wondering is, is it *possible* to have a shave (close on a moderate to tough beard) that is so smooth and proper and the alum block doesnt sting at all? Is that what you guys who have been refining your techinique/razors/honing/everything for years get to? Or is that impossible, and it's just a fact of life that the alum block will sting some (though of course how *much* it stings can still be an indicator of how irritating the shave was)?

---

I'm sure this is possible, and common for shavers who really have their prep and technique down pat. I've managed it a few times, and it's a way for me to "grade" my technique as I continue to learn. When it's right, it feels like a cool block of plastic I'm rubbing around my face. Sweet! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mijbil

What I'm wondering is, is it *possible* to have a shave (close on a moderate to tough beard) that is so smooth and proper and the alum block doesnt sting at all?

---

You'll get there. It's so0o0 nice when you do. It's cool, and tingly and utterly refreshing.

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?

Quote:

---

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.

Quote:

---

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! :beer1:

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brando

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 I use it to wash my face. :tu