Thread: Alum blocks

I bought the Thiers-Issard alum block, I like it better than the Osma block, and the TI one came in a nice plastic box with a lid to seal it after use...I tamp it dry on a towel and put it back in it's case...first one lasted a year, would've lasted much longer if I didn't drop it and it shattered.

Alum is Alum is Alum,is all the same stuff.I get mine at asian grocery stores (spice dept) $1.29/lb, will last for yrs.

Mine is the size of a small deodorant, I have used it daily for 2 years and there is about 30% left. It has also survived a couple of drops

Actually there are two kinds. Potassium and Ammonium. The Ammonium type is more the deodorant kind and probably shouldn't be used on your face. The Potassium is the face kind.

I just got an alum block off ebay last night as I haven't seen any around here.



It felt fantastic after my shave. Dirt cheap too :-)

I hear it doubles as an unscented deodorant. Cool, now I can tone down my manly musk as well as feeling fantastic after a shave.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Actually there are two kinds. Potassium and Ammonium. The Ammonium type is more the deodorant kind and probably shouldn't be used on your face. The Potassium is the face kind.

I asked a pharmacist about the differences between the two types. She said that basically the Ammonium type would sting more on a cut but that is about all. Been using the Ammonium deodorant type post shave for a couple of years now with no problem.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

I asked a pharmacist about the differences between the two types. She said that basically the Ammonium type would sting more on a cut but that is about all. Been using the Ammonium deodorant type post shave for a couple of years now with no problem.

Bob

Good to know...the more sting the better as far as I'm concerned!

Originally Posted by BobH

I asked a pharmacist about the differences between the two types. She said that basically the Ammonium type would sting more on a cut but that is about all. Been using the Ammonium deodorant type post shave for a couple of years now with no problem.

Bob

I do believe ultimately your pharmacist is correct, but from a chemists stand point is completely wrong. Ammonium alum has a smaller molecular composition opposed to Potassium; that is why it burns more. The problem here is it also absorbs into freshly shaved ( cut ) skin and aluminum is not good for the nervous system nor, a slew of other other organs. This debate has been going on for years, and is the "foder" for Alzheimer's disease smoking gun advocates....bottom line moderation is key don't use it unless needed, and don't by from unreliable sources so you know the true content Ie. SRP !!!! But the thing is they sell Potassium alum which has a larger molecular structure, and is less like to absorb into you freshly shaven skin. This will sting the bejesus out of you still don't worry !!! I know cause' I use it very day ! And there folks is the science plain and simple.

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 think those odds are quite correct.

Gentlemen,

Since my last post in this thread, for what it's worth, I have changed the way I use my alum bloc. These days I leave the alum on rather than rinse it off. Here is how it's done:

After the shave, I rinse with cold water and apply alum, rubbing it on my face aggressively, followed by a touch of which hazel, and then I apply aftershave balm while my face is still moist. So the alum is left on the to continue its magic. An aftershave pour finishes the post shave facial routine.

I had experimented with leaving the alum on throughout the years, until finally deciding some months ago to keep it on.