Thread: Do you use an alum block after shaving?

I love alum blocks. I generally use it after every shave. It is especially nice when there is a little bit of razor irritation. I then wash it off and proceed with an ASB or AS or both

I use alum after every shave, first cold water, then alum dipped in cold water, rinse, then bay rum.
To me it is a really good indicator on the quality of the shave, it feels good on the skin and it hardly burns at all if the shave is really good.
I have felt the thing that someone talked about where the skin feels dry and stings trough the day, that is why I wash it off after use.

Originally Posted by JokiJo

Alum blocks rock.


I may have given up on straight shaving my first few times if it hadn't be that rock.

alum rock blocks rock the block around the clock.

(translation: I find them very useful)

I picked a block up in NL for next to nothing, very handy. I don't use it all the time, but quite often.

Always use one. I was a little wary of them at first but was hooked from the first use. I tend to have a reaction to alcohol based after shaves and the block seems to fill this space admirably.

Originally Posted by ForestryProf

Recently there has been an apparent resurgence of alum block use (discussed across all three forums I frequent: SRP, SMF, B&B). I decided to see what the hubub was all about, figured for about $12 (classicshaving including S&H) if I didn't like it, so what.

Anyway, an alum block has become a standard part of my post-shave routine. An alum block differs markedly from a styptic (same compound, but a styptic has had all of the water driven out of the matrix, so is much less like a stone, more like a compressed powder). Anyway, rubbing the alum block over my cold-water splashed post-shave face, closes the pores and tightens/tones the skin. Yes, if I've gotten too aggressive while shaving, I can tell where I've abraded the skin, but it does not have near the intensity of sting that a styptic has; nor will application of alum stop a real bleeder. After the alum, I give my face another quick splash then apply Coral Skin Food.

YMMV, but it works for me and I like it
Ed

I have the same routine. With the exception of not using the Coral Skin Food (might try it one of these days). It rarely burns, and only when I've been too agressive with the shaving. I like the tightening of the pores it gives me.

I like alum blocks and use it as a face wash even if i dont have a shave.

Funnily enough it was an alum block that got me into Straight razors.

I got one from a barbers in London. After it ran out I searched for them on the internet and came across the Invisible Edge website where I saw razors. They really appealed to me and Ive been hooked ever since.

Alum Block every shave for Me!
I rinse my face with cold water then whilst its still wet rub the Alum block all over, the more I use it the less the sting bothers me, then I pat dry and apply an aftershave balm or lotion, my face has never felt so smooth and soft

The tingling sensation tells me that it's working!

It would seem some don't rinse the alum off at the end of shaving routine. I can see why it may sting all day. I apply after shaving with a wet face then do the cleanup of sink and strop the razor a few licks then rinse off the alum before using the aftershave. I believe it closes the pores and conditions the skin. It works somewhat like alcohol aftershave.

bj