Bloc Osma Alum shatters when dropped in sink...ya think!

This is an embarrassing post for a veteran (35 yrs.) wet shaver to admit. After going a decade without ever dropping an alum bloc it finally happened. Wet hands and a wet face combined to foil my post shave treatment by allowing the alum bloc to slip out of my hand like a slippery catfish and shatter into several, now unusable, pieces all over the sink and floor.

My questions to the forum are:

Are there any others out there that have experienced this horrible sensation and loss to your shaving experience?

AND

Other than being extra careful for the next 10 years, are there any suggestions for securing the bloc against future accidents?

:hmmm:​

Hold it in your teeth instead?

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Originally Posted by Gammaray

Are there any others out there that have experienced this horrible sensation and loss to your shaving experience?

AND

Other than being extra careful for the next 10 years, are there any suggestions for securing the bloc against future accidents?

:hmmm:​

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Yes - kind of

&

No

I used to keep my block on my clay soap dish holder that's attached to the tile behind my sink - you would think it safe there right? But then, for the strangest of reasons, my wall light fixture just up and fell off the bleeding wall. Landed right on top of my block and soap dish holder shattering both! Oddly - the light fixture which was/is glass, didn't even chip!

I didn't see it happen, but it took a long time to figure out how it all went down- so to speak. I still don't "really" know - I amuse myself guessing. Right now I am thinking an over weight fly landed on my light, triggering the whole thing. Good news was my block had a large enough piece left that I could still use - but I always have a spare block on hand just in case.

Good to know. If I ever buy a block (and I was thinkng I would like to do just that) I may have to buy two. I have a nasty feeling my youngest would just love to get her hands on something new sitting on the side of the sink. She already does that with my latest shave soap in a nice wood bowl...Little cow! :)


Mick

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Originally Posted by maddafinga

Hold it in your teeth instead?

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Alum bloc tastes horrid - so definitely don't try this!

Bloc on a rope?

Bob

Bummer,stuff happens,but next time your in an asian grocery store,get some in bulk at $1.29 a lb,same stuff.If dropped and shatterd the loss will not be that great:)
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...econe/alum.jpg

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Originally Posted by rum

Alum bloc tastes horrid - so definitely don't try this!

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I know, it was a joke.

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Originally Posted by BobH

Bloc on a rope?

Bob

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Now this is a great idea! Perhaps someone is willing to risk drilling their bloc to see if it can be done. However, you would need to drill through a long side so the rope would not rub on your skin. Clever idea for those of us who are alum bloc challenged.

:tu

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Originally Posted by maddafinga

I know, it was a joke.

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I knew you were kidding because all of us have tasted it from time to time when we get too close to the mouth.

Try laying a towel around the sink...maybe getting a floor Mat as well so if it happens again it lands on something softer??..

I've had that happen a few times. That's why I buy from that Turkish site in N.Y where I get a whole bunch dirt cheap.

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Originally Posted by aespo

Try laying a towel around the sink...maybe getting a floor Mat as well so if it happens again it lands on something softer??..

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Actually, these aren't bad ideas at all. I have floor mats in the bathroom and whilst they can be messy to wash/handle, can shave a few items from going to the trash too soon.

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Originally Posted by rum

Actually, these aren't bad ideas at all. I have floor mats in the bathroom and whilst they can be messy to wash/handle, can shave a few items from going to the trash too soon.

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AND it has the added benefit of keeping your feet warm on those cold winter mornings too lol. :)

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've had that happen a few times. That's why I buy from that Turkish site in N.Y where I get a whole bunch dirt cheap.

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Same here, I've dropped the one in the shower I use for deodorant.

I buy them by the dozen, give some away and keep several as back up :)

It's also nice to have a spare in my travel bag so I don't have to swap items around.

This is really uneasy for a veteran to admit. A wet face combined to foil my post shave treatment by allowing the alum bloc to slip out of the hand like a slippery catfish and shatters into several pieces all over the sink. Alum has really a unique taste and you can easily avail them in bulk amount at nominal cost.


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glass sinks

After careful consideration of all your suggestions, I have concluded that there is only one way to ensure better than six-sigma likelihood that I will never break another alum block.

1a. Don't use one at all (not an option)

1. Keep alum block in a foam padded box.

2. Wet face.

3. Carry box into bedroom.

4. Recline on back on the carpeted floor or on the bed

5. Carefully remove alum bloc and apply all over face

6. Return alum bloc to padded box and return to the bathroom

Forget it! That is just too much trouble. Real men take calculated risks. If I must break a few blocks to enjoy the risk of a great SR - then so be it. :idea:

Been there and done it. I think that after you have dropped one you become more conscious of the block. When I re-ordered mine, I ordered two...just in case so that I would have a spare.

The razorock one has a handle. For me; so far, so good. My time's probably coming, though.........

I have always had a styptic pencil so I just kept on with it as I learn the SR. The reason I post is the taste thing. Styptic is great for killing canker sore pain and it seems to make them go away fast. Taste like alum ? Or tastes like I imagine alum to taste as you guys describe it, sour with a shrinking my skin feeling. As for my face, it actually feels and looks much better just using the straight razor instead of the stupid modern way. If I start chasing women again I might look into all the treatments to take better care of it. This old face is pretty weathered already. :<0)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSCLSjtq87o

Hmm, I've had that happen to me too. And now it's all jagged and scrapes my face. Some one should make a rubber koozie that goes on the back side of the block so your hands can grip on the rubber but it's shallow so u can still run it on your face without the rubber rubbing on your face too

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gammaray

Now this is a great idea! Perhaps someone is willing to risk drilling their bloc to see if it can be done. However, you would need to drill through a long side so the rope would not rub on your skin. Clever idea for those of us who are alum bloc challenged.

:tu

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You may be able to go in at an angle from the side and out the back. (Toe nail it.) If anybody tries I would use a masonry drill bit because a sharp metal bit might grab and crack the block in a vein or internal crack.. I don't know the properties of Alum but I bet there is a way to do it. I have drilled holes in just about everything from woods/metals/glass/and rock. I just never needed to bolt Alum to anything. What about an adhesive ? There has to be a Liquid Nails that would do it ! A flat piece of metal with an eye attached then glued to the alum. |-o

OMG.this thread is very strange,at least to me,you could pop rivitt a washer to the block,than tig weld a chain that go's around your neck to the washer,or you could adhiese a pce of velcro with an adhiesive backing and stick the sucker on your forehead,if you drop it in the sink and it has jagged edges,run hot water over it,in a minute it will be smooth as glass.
Ya know guys.upping your post counts should not be the end all be all.:)

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

OMG.this thread is very strange,at least to me,you could pop rivitt a washer to the block,than tig weld a chain that go's around your neck to the washer,or you could adhiese a pce of velcro with an adhiesive backing and stick the sucker on your forehead,if you drop it in the sink and it has jagged edges,run hot water over it,in a minute it will be smooth as glass.
Ya know guys.upping your post counts should not be the end all be all.:)

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lol...agreed. I did drop my alum bloc once and it broke. It was very disappointing, but I came up with the ultimate solution...I went and bought another.

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Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

lol...agreed. I did drop my alum bloc once and it broke. It was very disappointing, but I came up with the ultimate solution...I went and bought another.

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Hmmm never thought about post counts. *makes note* cut posting in half at least.

Gentlemen,

Here is my solution to preventing drop damage to your alum block. Buy the deodorant.

It is chemically identical, much lower cost, and secured in a convenient holder.

Some brands have aloe and other soothing ingredients. However, I went for the plain unscented version.

Amazon.com: Crystal Body Deodorant Stick for Men, NA, Unscented, 4.25 Ounce: Health & Personal Care


Attachment 142503

Gammaray

Yea, that works very well as you say.

Bob

Alum is dirt cheap on eBay, just buy in a few and don't worry about it. Keep the biggest bits of the ones you break and smooth them off. Or just don't use it.

ED

Buying the deodorant form eliminates the need for eBay, just walk into a local retailer and get it. I get mine at Wally World and it does double duty when I travel.

Bob

I actually wondered about this very thing the other day what would happen if I dropped it!

I've added the alum block back into my shave simply because it simply feels so great on the face after a shave. I actually look forward to that part...it's so soothing!

Now I know what will happen if I drop it....note to self...be careful!

One of the guy’s on the SOTD posted these pics of an antique ALUM Bloc holder..one reason I like to read the SOTD. However if you drop it, it will shatter. I guess guys had this problem way back when too. This way you could tie it on to a body part and not drop it. :nono:
Mike

http://i.imgur.com/2RqOjnP.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/KhpZ64F.jpg

If you google Alum block on rope you´ll find that there are some manufacturer that provide a good solution.

For alum I have the RazoRock version, which comes in a holder with a lid similar to what was pictured. Never had a problem with it falling or breaking, and it must be at least 3 years old now.