Alum blocks.... what is your style?

Hey everyone!

I've just been straight razor shaving for over a month now and i am at a point where i am starting to try new things out. Currently i am using an Osma Alum block as post shave treatment. I've tried using it and leaving it on which i feel dries out my skin. I read something somewhere that mentioned only leaving it on for a bit then rinsing it off and then applying a moisturiser. I've tried that but it doesn't seem to stop the nicks like its supposed to.

today however i left it on and then i applied moisturiser some minutes later and so far it seems to be going well... i will keep you guys posted on that.

Anyway, what is your post shave routine? have something that works for you and want to share it with us? I'm looking for different methods all the time so i appreciate your feedback or your suggestions.

Cheers to all,

FE

I splash with cold water three times, apply an after shave balm, and then I'm good to go.

I think you might be confusing an alum block with a styptic pencil: styptics are used to stop bleeding, while alum is used as an antiseptic/astringent.

Anyway, I use RazoRock alum. Immediately after shaving I do a hot water rinse followed by an alum rub. I leave it on while I rinse and clean my razor and brush, then rinse off the alum with cold water. This makes my skin feel nice and toned. I follow this with a dab of Skin Food and my aftershave of choice. Feels like perfection :D

Love the stuff,rub it on after my last warm rinse,rinse my razor, than my brush, than rinse my face with cold water.
Buy my Alum at large Asian Grocery stores, in the spice aisle,comes in huge crystals,$1.29/lb, lasts a couple years.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan82

I think you might be confusing an alum block with a styptic pencil: styptics are used to stop bleeding, while alum is used as an antiseptic/astringent.

Anyway, I use RazoRock alum. Immediately after shaving I do a hot water rinse followed by an alum rub. I leave it on while I rinse and clean my razor and brush, then rinse off the alum with cold water. This makes my skin feel nice and toned. I follow this with a dab of Skin Food and my aftershave of choice. Feels like perfection :D

---

Same here, When I'm done shaving, I rinse my face, apply Razorock Alum usually, then I rinse my brush and scuttle, then rinse off the Alum.
Then I apply Thayer's Witch Hazel, Rose or Peach, maybe Lemon...I normally pick up a variety of scents from SRD. I don't like it unscented, but that's me...YMMV...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan82

I think you might be confusing an alum block with a styptic pencil: styptics are used to stop bleeding, while alum is used as an antiseptic/astringent.

Anyway, I use RazoRock alum. Immediately after shaving I do a hot water rinse followed by an alum rub. I leave it on while I rinse and clean my razor and brush, then rinse off the alum with cold water. This makes my skin feel nice and toned. I follow this with a dab of Skin Food and my aftershave of choice. Feels like perfection :D

---

ah leaving it on whilst rinsing your brush is a good idea! i'll have to try it out. However i did see (and just checked) on a store website in an alum block description that:

"Alum has hemostatic properties and stops bleeding instantly in the event of any minor nick or graze sustained during shaving"

are they spinning lies then? i dunno. so far ive only had one person deny it works.... anyone else get any different results? otherwise i will have to go buy a styptic pencil or not cut myself so often :gaah:

Get a styptic,is a more concentrated form of natural alum.

I just wipe it on after the shave and leave it alone. When my face dries I splash on the AS. The Alum Block doesn't tend to leave white powdered residue on my skin as styptic can. Later if my skin is dry I use a balm but it doesn't seem to be necessary so often of late.

I use the alum the same as Ryan82. Once I rinse it off with cold water, I put on my AS of choice and if my skin's a bit dry, I add an unscented AS balm to moisturize.

Alum does staunch bleeding, but not as effectively as a styptic pencil. I tend to use it after the occasional rough shave, and when I do I leave it on a little while, wash it off, then apply balm. It does help.

I wish I could find a good size Alum block, like hand soap size, as I have yet to wear one out, I drop them in the sink and break them cause they are so small... :(


Oh yeah I use them the same as Ryan too

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gssixgun

I wish I could find a good size Alum block, like hand soap size, as I have yet to wear one out, I drop them in the sink and break them cause they are so small... :(


Oh yeah I use them the same as Ryan too

---

My friend, I know exactly what you're talking about!! My Dad had one that was about the size of a deck of cards!! However, I fear those days are long gone! Here's where I purchase my Alum Bars. The price so far has included shipping!!

Turkish Music, Turkish Food, Evil Eye Jewelry, Movies, Grocery Shopping & Books - Tulumba.com

I do hope that this will help at least one who is in search of Alum!!

I use Shavex alum from Mama Bear, the size of a bar of soap, I use it every shave heavily, its been a year & 1/2 with the same bar; still have a little under half left.

After hot towel to remove cream, wet alum bar , heavy on face, left stay 5-7 minutes, "pat" face with cold wet towel, leaving most of the alum, Thayers Witch Hazel Lavender-heavy, 10 minutes later....I apply a Real Man's aftershave, Clubman Pinaud-heavy,,,I mean heavy!!


did I say heavy?? I mean HEEEAAAVVVYYY !!

alum block - Knifecenter.com

very affordable about a pound and larger than a bar of soap. I got five two were in pieces but the pieces were thrice the size of the little blocks. I am loving the stuff great deodorant. I don't stink anymore and I don't have to use chemicals. Well just the naturally occurring kind.

Sometimes I just use an ice cube. Works pretty good and is supper cheep. They are just a one use item though.;)

Cold rinse - Witch Hazel (styptic if needed) - clean up - cold rinse - AS splash

I like the alum block, but currently it is giving me ingrowns. Maybe when I get the shave down a little better it won't be so bad.

I found an alum block a few months back at an Indian Grocery store for $1.99. It's about the size of a deck of cards, maybe a little thicker. I use it after every shave and seems like it's going to be around for a while. Anyway, shave, cold water rinse, alum, floss my teeth, rinse with cold water, Thayers Rose, brush teeth, aftershave or AS balm, clean up sink area. that's my routine.

1 Lb.$1.29, asian market.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...econe/alum.jpg

I rinse after the shave, rub the alum around my face, let my skin absorb it whilst i clean up the bathroom and scrub down my implements. Then I rub in some Proraso and let that settle in before splashing the old bay rum on, however I have found that if I do not allow the alum to calm down on my skin and thenquickly follow it with the balm it goes very powderey so timing is everything.

I have bought and used from this seller:
Alum block from Indiaand am planning on buying in case of a national disaster this lot:
ALum Blocks from turkey

http://straightrazorpalace.com/presh...lum-block.html

post #8 in this thread

Very reasonable about 1 pound

pixelfixed that's a pretty sweet amount for a very sweet deal!!!.... so is the benchmade. I should go checkout my local asian markets and see if i can get lucky.

these are some pretty cool routines everybody. Keep em coming people! great ideas are coming to fruition!

FE

Look in the Spice dept,Alum is used more in cooking and pickling than shaving by far.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JordanM

I like the alum block, but currently it is giving me ingrowns.

---

Sorry, but alum will not cause ingrown hairs, nor will any other lotion or chemical. Ingrowns are the result of shaving hairs below the skin line, exasperated by too much pressure, steep razor angle and ATG shaving. If you are having issues I would respectfully suggest to evaluate your beard growth and technique.

Alum block...
Works wonders for skin stretching
works well for nicks/cute
I can't rub it on my face..to the depths of fire on my face..it's similar to a salt mineral...doesn't like sensitive skin...:eek:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Ryan82

Sorry, but alum will not cause ingrown hairs, nor will any other lotion or chemical. Ingrowns are the result of shaving hairs below the skin line, exasperated by too much pressure, steep razor angle and ATG shaving. If you are having issues I would respectfully suggest to evaluate your beard growth and technique.

---

Ok so I don't know how to shave. Regardless if I use alum I get spots where these areas I don't know how to shave get ingrown hairs. I assume because it makes my pores close up too quick. If I don't use alum I get nice smooth non irritated skin with no bumps or ingrown hairs what so ever.

Yes my technique needs work which I already stated, thanks for pointing it out again. Me giving the hairs potential to ingrow and them actually ingrowing are two different things entirely though. If alum takes these hairs with potential and pushes them to ingrow, which they would not do without it, that is enough for me to identify alum as the larger part of the issue. It is a straw that broke the camels back type of situation. So I could rephrase that statement as, with my current shaving abilities alum is giving me ingrown hairs. Accept I already said that in a different manner. Thank you for quoting me out of context to show your superior shaving knowledge, it is helping me tremendously.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JordanM

Ok so I don't know how to shave. Regardless if I use alum I get spots where these areas I don't know how to shave get ingrown hairs. I assume because it makes my pores close up too quick. If I don't use alum I get nice smooth non irritated skin with no bumps or ingrown hairs what so ever.

Yes my technique needs work which I already stated, thanks for pointing it out again. Me giving the hairs potential to ingrow and them actually ingrowing are two different things entirely though. If alum takes these hairs with potential and pushes them to ingrow, which they would not do without it, that is enough for me to identify alum as the larger part of the issue. It is a straw that broke the camels back type of situation. So I could rephrase that statement as, with my current shaving abilities alum is giving me ingrown hairs. Accept I already said that in a different manner. Thank you for quoting me out of context to show your superior shaving knowledge, it is helping me tremendously.

---

I dont think Ryan82 was trying flex his knowledge other than provide some useful tips, suggestions and feedback. I myself get irritated skin using alum but it is just in areas where i have probably gone over a little to rough. i have sensitive skin though... anyway whatever works works.

Maybe though it is causing your pores to close fast over the top of the hair.... does anyone else have this happening or had it happen? any other suggestion to avoid this guys? maybe exfoliating beforehand? i know there are a lot that feel exfoliating strips away natural oils... but hey let see what people say!

FE

I can only speak to my own experience but I exfoliate before shaving using facial scrub. Once doing this, I get a great shave. Now that I've started using DE's and straights, I don't get ingrown hairs any more. My beard is coarse and curly so I'm very prone to ingrowns, especially on my lower neck. YMMV.

Edit: I use alum after every shave, as part of my routine.

Ed

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JordanM

Regardless if I use alum I get spots where these areas I don't know how to shave get ingrown hairs. I assume because it makes my pores close up too quick. If I don't use alum I get nice smooth non irritated skin with no bumps or ingrown hairs what so ever.

Me giving the hairs potential to ingrow and them actually ingrowing are two different things entirely though. If alum takes these hairs with potential and pushes them to ingrow, which they would not do without it, that is enough for me to identify alum as the larger part of the issue. So I could rephrase that statement as, with my current shaving abilities alum is giving me ingrown hairs.

---

Ignoring the facetious comments for second, it sounds like your skin is reacting adversely to the alum. So while alum itself will not be the direct cause of ingrowns (its astringent properties will actually help to reduce infection in irritated areas) it is also possible that it is the cause of secondary problems such as allergic reaction. In your case if alum isn't working for you don't use it :)

I'm certainly no stranger to ingrowns, it was a problem that plagued me for years. Once I started using a straight razor and paid better attention to things like prep and beard direction they went away for good. I also found alum to be extremely beneficial in the process of curing me of the "scourge". Of course, YMMV.

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

Jordan,

You have found the most friendly, informative and helpful site on the web! Welcome!

I believe that you will find as I did that we are trying to re-learn an ‘Art’ that was nearly lost! In the days gone bye when a young man’s facial hair would start to come in, a father would instruct his son on the proper use of the razor, strop, brush, shaving prep etc. the father would also be there to offer advice and corrective criticism!

We all mean well when we offer advice! While we are all ‘different’ we are still from a common gene pool (“if you prick us do we not bleed”?)!

Please keep us posted when you stop using the Alum!

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!

Gute Rasur /glatte Rasur, mein Bruder der Klinge

(‘Good Shaving My Brother In Blades’):tu

Quote:

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.