Thread: Alum blocks.... what is your style?

Originally Posted by JordanM

Sorry, difficult for me to process someone else saying what I am experiencing is not possible. It does seem to only happen in areas where I have stubborn stubble and have to get a bit more aggressive with the razor. I think I remember someone else talking about how alum can make your pores close up too quick and cause ingrowns. At any rate I plan on holding out on the alum until I have less irritation, we shall see what happens after that.

Fair enough man. Keep me posted on how you go without the Alum. I'm going to keep trying for now but if it doesn't help after a month or so of shaving on a proper straight (rather thatn a shavette) then i will look at other options.

Originally Posted by cudarunner

Jordan,I look at every shave as an ‘Experiment’! I might be using a newly honed razor that I did or one that a good friend had done. I might be trying a new stropping regime! I find that everything is in ‘motion’!

The ‘Art’ takes time, give it that time! The alum and you may not be compatible! As I said, it’s all an on going experiment!

At the end of the journey (if there is one) it’s well worth the experiments and the testing, along with the results!

ABSOLUTELY BROTHER!!! AMEN TO THAT!

So getting into alum stuff again, does anyone know of maybe an alum substitute? Does anyone do something different other than the norm? maybe something quirky like, i dunno, egg whites hahahahahaha! Or has alum always been the original and the "best" or best known after shave thingy (sorry i cant think right now... at work on a sunday without coffee)....

best regards everyone,

FE

[QUOTESo getting into alum stuff again, does anyone know of maybe an alum substitute? Does anyone do something different other than the norm? maybe something quirky like, i dunno, egg whites hahahahahaha! Or has alum always been the original and the "best" or best known after shave thingy (sorry i cant think right now... at work on a sunday without coffee)....

best regards everyone,[/QUOTE]

Sometimes I don't use the alum! If I get a nick or a weeper, I may just use the styptic pencil and just cold water. As someone mentioned, ice cubes would help restrict the vessels. I've often wondered how ice cubes in water would work to splash on your face! As I've said it's a an ongoing experiment!

My understanding of alum's job is that it works as a sanitized and an astringent. That being the case, any AS with both witch hazel and alcohol should do the same job. That is, it "should" but may not be satisfactory.

I like to use alum first and then rinse and then use witch hazel. I think it very refreshing and I like the witch hazel follow up to clean the face a little more as I have oily skin. The alum seems to do the best to ease any burn and as an immediate treatment for nicks and the like. If I had to use just one, I like the hazel.

Hey guys,

I think the point is that if you like alum use it; if you don't then don't use it

IMO everyone should try it because it works for many, but there's no point if you get a reaction or if you feel it adds nothing to your shave.

Best regards,

Ryan

I too was under the impression that an alum block was good for stopping minor nicks from bleeding but found it didn't work for that. Now I know why!

Alum block was once part of my post shave routine, including "liquid alum", which - as everyone will certainly know - you can make it yourself.
I was quite happy of that, but I stopped doing that as I found out it was drying my skin too much.

I have only recently started using an Alum Block and like it quite well so far. I also leave it on as I am rinsing all my equipment then when I am finished with that I will do a final facial rinse. What I like to do is have a salad bowl sitting full of ice and water so that my final rinse is with REALLY, really cold ice water. This feels awesome.