Alum is an astringent, and when rubbed on wet skin will stop any small nicks or weepers from bleeding. But most of us use it as a feedback device. After an irritation free shave you won't feel any burning from the alum. If you feel burning in certain spots you know you have to work on your technique in that area. You may be using too much pressure or have the wrong angle.
Also those of us who use straight razors will wet our fingers and rub them on an alum block. This allows us to pull and stretch our skin taught even when it's wet and soapy. The alum gives you grip.
No, you could rub it anywhere you shave, it's also the same thing as a deodorant crystal. You can wet it and rub it under your arms as a deodorant.
Hmmmmm ok. So it is essential to the whole shaving experience? Ok Thanks for answering. Trying to get my setup for a new razor I will be getting next week. It will be first one.
Not really, it does come in handy for stopping blood, but you could use a styptic pencil for that. Actually alum can be drying for the skin, so if you do use it, it's best to rinse it off after a minute.
Now looking for right brush. Ordering soaps tomorrow. I really am too excited. 4am and I'm still on forum. Omgoodness.
After I finish my shave,and have rinsed lather off with cool water, while my face is still wet I swipe my face with an alum block. It seems to close pores, and does stop tiny nicks from bleeding. Could be my imagination, but it feels like it tightens up my skin. I leave it on while I rinse out my shave bowl and brush, & put my gear away. Then I rinse the alum off with more cool water followed by after care products like an aftershave or lotion. The alum block that many of us use is available as a stick. Packaged like a deodorant because that's another use for the product.
Just picked that one up at Whole Foods. Had a RazoRock alum block - 1/3 of the amount of product for the same price! $6
I was taught by a barber that the alum is used for returning the skin to it's original pH value. The shaving soap changes the pH of the skin and the alum counters this.
Out of stock right now, but this is a a great brush. You could spend a lot more and get a lot less than this brush: http://www.italianbarber.com/collec...-monster-synthetic-shaving-brush-26mm-monster They have several other synthetic brushes, but this one is the larger size. This is a good alternative if you cant wait for The Monster!: http://www.italianbarber.com/collections/brushes/products/razorock-plissoft-synthetic-shaving-brush
Witch hazel and Alum do the same thing. Seems like most use one or the other, both is pretty much overkill. I find the aroma of witch hazel off-putting, so simply Alum for me. It's your skin, dry it out your way!
