One of the best shaving accessories I have is my Alum Block. Alum is: Potassium alumi, K2SO4·Al2(SO4)3·24H2O, this type of alum is very soluble in water. It has cosmetic uses as a deodorant and as an aftershave. Alum blocks should not be confused with styptic pencils. They act as an astringent...much the same as an alcohol based aftershave. After shaving just wet you face and gently rub a wet block over the shaved area. Alum closes the skin pores and tightens the skin. It will stop bleeding from "weepers" and there is no scent to interfere with your choice of cologne. It also serves as a yardstick to judge the quality of your shave.....if you have shaved too close..you may feel some mild stinging. I also keep another one for use as an underarm deodorant. Alum has an antibacterial function...it won't stop you sweating....but it does kill the bacteria which cause body odour. All in all....it's well worth the buy. This was the Original Aftershave. It has saved me a fortune on expensive aftershaves and is much more effective. I prefer to use a longer lasting cologne for my scents.
I have been using mine as an underarm deodorant for 3-4 months now and will never go back.. I threw all of my 'secrets' out last month, actually tossed them in the garbage. I was going to do a one week test where I tried the alum for a week and then went back to the stick deodorant. I just never went back and I have never felt cleaner. My name is Mama Bear and I LOVE my alum block...
Brian that is possibly the best overview of the alum block I've read.:happy088 Proud member of the alum block fan club!
Has anyone found any appreciable differences between brands of alum block (other than size)? I've been happy with the one I bought from classicshaving.com, but it is finally wearing down and am about to order another. Is there any reason to go with anothe brand?
This is a good question. The only one I have ever used is the Shavex and I have no idea what the others are like. I am told that the Shavex leaves no residue, like the other ones out there. Well, I can testify that it doesn't leave any residue, but having never used the other ones, I can't say that they do either! Other than that, wouldn't they all pretty much be the same?
I am still resisting..... There are already enough steps / products in my routine. Don't believe there is room for anymore. I do, however, use the "Crystal" deodorant and have for many years. It allows for perspiration....just stops the "stank" !!
I don't know about many shavebloxk made of alum. All I know is that when I use my Verguldehand Alum as an aftershave it leaves a burn that makes me want to tear off my face. I use it as a bloodstopper (quite effective) but not as an aftershave. The pain is too great.
I have a block which I bought from GFT. It definitely does leave a residue. If I wanted to use an ASB....I had to wash this residue off first. I now use this block as my deoderant. I now use Shavex on my face.
I just brought alum into my shave routine about 2 weeks ago and I'm converted. The little alum cube I bought was advertised as "crystal deodorant," which got me thinking about all the people here who also use it for that purpose. My current stick of Right Guard gel has one, maybe two applications left, so when I'm out and about today, I'm going to pick up another alum. The lack of anti-perspirant properties concerns me a bit, but I'm thinking the risk is worth it to try it out and see how I like it.
I bought one of the alum blacks from ClassicShaving awhile back, no problems with residue from that block. I also have one of the Thai crystal deodorant stones, works great and doesn't leave a wierd sticky feeling like the old deodorant gels I used to use did.
This is what I use, but on the face. It works wonderfully. But I still use Right Guard under the arms. I need both an anti-perspirant as well as a deordorant -- I can't sweat through my nice shirts.
Right now with the cool weather it's not an issue but when it gets to be 95-100 and I'm working horses. I will put this and Mineral Spray to the test.
I use my alum block (Father's love) to mop up when I've got some weepers, works pretty good and that particular brand also leaves no residue. Wonderful stuff. ::
I believe there are two types of alum, one is Potash (potassium) and the other is Ammonium. The Ammonium is not normally used for shaving as it stings ALOT more. Perhaps you guys who got a bit of a slap in the face tried an ammonium based block.
