Thread: Alum blocks

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

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


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!

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.

Wow, what are you guys doing with your alum, eating it as a snack? Mine is still going after nearly four years and it wasn't even one of those bath bar sized blocks......

Granted, I don't shave 7 days a week like some of you guys either.

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.

I have a Thiers-Issard Alum block, I use it for every shave, just love the stuff, does wonders for my skin and the feeling is fantastic. After a year, it's just starting to get noticeably thinner, which means in about another year or two, this one should be done.

When this one goes, I have an Osma Alum Block ready to go. The two friends of mine I got into shaving with a DE, the alum block is their favorite thing, and the one thing I notice they all bring up if shaving with, "an old fashioned cartridge" type razor comes up.

I have always kept a block of Alum in the shave den but if you are fond of astringents, try Peach flavored Witch Hazel and also Witch Hazel with Aloe. Both are Thayers products. Good stuff.

Click here:
Peach Witch Hazel - Skin Care - Lucky Vitamin

I have had mine, my first block for over a year now. I havent dropped it (knock on wood) and the only noticeable usage is the rounding of the corners. Although I must say, I dont run the whole thing under water before using (nor can i fathom why one would); after splashing all the rest lather off, i just apply while my face is still wet. And at this rate, I can see the thing lasting several years.

Would't/could't be without alum.
On occasion i have neglected to rince off before applying balm.
I have purchased 3 different brands in order to make a comparison.
I read someplace that the most transluscent alum is best so of the three purchased, one very transluscent, one less transluscent and the other very white my verdict is,.............
that they all offer the same great feel to the face, the only difference is price.
With these three blocks i doubt i'll be buying more alum in my lifetime.

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.