Thread: 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

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.

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

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...

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

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

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.