Thread: Alum blocks

Originally Posted by earcutter

How long do they last?? LOL!! Well now that depends on two things!

One - what size it is to start! I use this:

Attachment 162469
Oui, oui!! I am French monsieur!

This is a small block! About 3 by 1.3 ish. Anyway. The first one I got lasted the better part of a year. The second, the better part of a week! Which brings me to the second variable.

It depends if you drop it or not lol! You drop it and these things shatter like glass! . Always have a couple just in case !

Cheers!

Yep, I have always had them thrown in on shaving orders, because I have always dropped them, in the sink of course, whence they shatter. You can smooth out the razor edges with a finger and water to use in your travel kit though. Just don't fall for the outrageous rip-off $20 alum blocks sold by certain purveyors

Since putting down the DE's and using only straights, I am only using alum on my finger tips to aid in skin stretches. I rarely have to apply alum to my face for nicks any longer. Alum ........ it serves another purpose for the straight razor shaver: traction.

Frank

Originally Posted by Lakebound

Since putting down the DE's and using only straights, I am only using alum on my finger tips to aid in skin stretches. I rarely have to apply alum to my face for nicks any longer. Alum ........ it serves another purpose for the straight razor shaver: traction.

Frank

Traction is huge... But I really think the alum makes my face more "radiant" if I use after the shave and before the aftershave. That could be just me though .

Originally Posted by earcutter

Traction is huge... But I really think the alum makes my face more "radiant" if I use after the shave and before the aftershave. That could be just me though .

Radiant?? will google that up

Originally Posted by Lakebound

Since putting down the DE's and using only straights, I am only using alum on my finger tips to aid in skin stretches. I rarely have to apply alum to my face for nicks any longer. Alum ........ it serves another purpose for the straight razor shaver: traction.

Frank

For some reason I never needed alum for finger traction to stretch my skin while shaving. I use it after a shave before the aftershave goes on. That is to tightened and tone this saggy old visage of mine and as a slight antiseptic for bacteria. Will admit that on occasion it serves to stop small weepers and cuts too. I use it with whatever I am shaving with be it straight, DE or a cart while traveling.

Bob

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

A 1 lb chunk of Alum from an asian market $1.29, lasts me 5 yrs.

Wow great deal. Is the alum clear or white?

When the post shave burn with alum quit I pretty much stopped using the bar; I think it'll last another 20 years if undropped. A post shave splash with witch hazel/aloe/alcohol does the trick now unless I manage a little nick or razor burn. Can't say alum burns or even much tingles anymore. Maybe that comes from improved technique or perhaps I have shaved off all the facial nerve endings and rinsed them down the drain.

Originally Posted by MisterMoo

When the post shave burn with alum quit I pretty much stopped using the bar; I think it'll last another 20 years if undropped. A post shave splash with witch hazel/aloe/alcohol does the trick now unless I manage a little nick or razor burn. Can't say alum burns or even much tingles anymore. Maybe that comes from improved technique or perhaps I have shaved off all the facial nerve endings and rinsed them down the drain.

Tell your other half you just took all the savings and bought something silly. Like, oh I don't know, a motorcycle collection.

I am pretty sure that after that inevitable slap you'll get across your face, you'll be able to conclude with 100% accuracy that the reason alum no longer stings you - has everything to do with your technique.

I have had 2 alum blocks my first was replaced after appx 4-5 months because as others have said the inevitable slip and break. That block though ( shavex ) had at least before breaking lost 50% of its original size I personally thought it was poor , but worked very well. BTW I dried my alum block religiously and am in a low to average humidity area. So what do I do ? Replace it with another Shavex block as it does work well and I use it for feedback to see how I did and to close down and tighten the skin. Well 4-5 months later this block has lost at least 50% so I assume a shavex block will last about a year. It amazes me to see people say they have this same 125 gram block and it last years.... They must not shave everyday.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

I've always found you get to a certain size and the likelihood of dropping it starts to increase logarithmically. if you are over age 60 you can quadruple those chances. (or so I'm told). I get mine from Tolumba. They cost a couple bucks each when you buy em in bulk.

I get the same ones do you know if these one are aluminum or potassium? I've never thought to look when I receive them. Wegman's stores in my area have a crystal deordorant which is aluminum for a good price.