Thread: Alum block = MAGIC!

Originally Posted by Lunchbox16

I see Classic Shaving sells a large alum block. It seems like a good buy for the size and price. Thoughts?

And this is something used both before AND after, or just after? It it closes the pores, wouldn't that be counterproductive before hand? I thought the reason for shaving after a shower was that the pores were open and one could get a closer shave. Just wondering as this is definitely something I need to invest in.

That is where I got mine. I bought their brand. I love it I use it most days. Tightens the skin right up.

OK guys, don't you see the logical end of where this conversation is leading?

Once we are done shaving our faces, we should continue on to the armpits! Then slather face & pits with alum block.

Smooth, and odor free all day long!

Originally Posted by Seraphim

OK guys, don't you see the logical end of where this conversation is leading?

Once we are done shaving our faces, we should continue on to the armpits! Then slather face & pits with alum block.

Smooth, and odor free all day long!

Yeah, go ahead and give it a shot!

Forgive the ignorance here, but I don't have a really good understanding of what an "alum block" is. How, specifically, is it used?

what is alum? is there any difference in quality of brands? ive always just put it nics. does a good atershave balm get rid of the need for alum or should i be using bolth?

I had never heard of using an Alum bar pre shave so I decided to try it on one side of my face today...bad idea.

I lathered up the non alum side of my face, no problem. When I went to lather the other side it would not lather at all. When I put the brush back in my bowl, it killed all the lather in the bowl and brush all together. I was using TGQ leatherneck cream. I had to completely wash my face off and rinse my brush and bowl and start over.

I still like using it post shave, but I'll never use it pre again.

Yep, alum, styptic etc. will do that to any kind of soap or lather. I believe when people use it as a pre-shave they rinse it off first before applying lather. Otherwise it's unworkable. The alum should pull the skin tight and make your beard stand up more (so the theory goes). Why not try it again, but make sure you rinse off first?

Originally Posted by majurey

Yep, alum, styptic etc. will do that to any kind of soap or lather. I believe when people use it as a pre-shave they rinse it off first before applying lather. Otherwise it's unworkable. The alum should pull the skin tight and make your beard stand up more (so the theory goes). Why not try it again, but make sure you rinse off first?

I'm going to give this technique a try using the crystal deodorant. One more item to add to the shopping list. Thanks for everyone's input.

-Pary

I flip flop during winter and all other seasons with Alum and Witch Hazel products. Winter is very drying in Canada so I use some moisture added aftershave or cream.... As noted, both need to be throughly washed off if you pre-shave with them. Or they will kill your lather. I use lather in my hand, very (small amount) to wash off the alum or witch hazel after a good warm water rinse. It's a quick indicator that it's all gone if the later on your hand a face doesn't disappear immediately.

Kind regards,

Is it just a block of alum or is there something else to it?