Is there a "best" alum block?

I know, weird question. Have any of you, who have tried more than one brand of alum block, found one you like better than others?

What's the difference? Smoothness? Burn? Effectiveness in sealing nicks?

I believe the Queen of Blades mentioned a preference for Trumper's block over Mama Bear's, but that's all I've found.

 

I've only used two (Razor and Brush and OSMA). I can see a color difference, but don't notice any difference in use. The color is that the one from R&B had a slight yellow tint and the OSMA is very pure white. I also have an unopened "deodorant stone" I picked up at Natural Grocers. If you get one locally from the deodorant section, I've heard you need to be very careful in making sure it is Potassium Alum and not Ammonium Alum, as the latter can be very painful over any razor burn or nicks.

 

that is the only difference like chemerik said

potassium is a little more face friendly...

I bought one from classic shaving and it was good....and then i bought one from the store labeled as a deoderant stick which i like better because it is in a case and easier to rub on the ol face...

 

Really, in theory there are only two distinctions as mentioned above...

Potassium alum or ammonium alum.

The brand shouldn't affect the ingredients at all, so feel free to get the cheapest you can find.

 

I agree. Don't pay too much for the brand. You can usually find it locally for cheap.

 

I'm not sure that I'll ever need another one to be able to compare... These things last forever

 

At this point I am not entirely sure how I will get 15 posts for the newbie give away. With mild searching, I can find answers to all of my questions.

 

Well don't worry too much. There are folks here that will applaud your forum searching rather than posting questions, but really, post your questions anyway. Without new people and new posts to revisit previously answered questions, our board will stagnate, and no one wants to see that.

Really!

 

Finest grit alum comes from..

 

One needn't ask a question to up their post count, as you just demonstrated

 

I have no idea what you are speaking of...

I checked 4 Asian markets & 1 Indian market & potassium alum proved elusive. Is it commonly sold as deodorant in these cultures? I was unsure of what to look for & the kanji/hangul was no help to this monoglot.

Anyone have any information on when TSD alum blocks may be back in stock?

 

I've tried several brands and my favorite is the 4oz domed block from Em's Place. It's nice and smooth, no sharp corners or edges, very clear, and extremely comfortable on the face. It may not be the absolute cheapest but it's very reasonable ($9.95 for 4oz = $2.48/oz) and by far my favorite alum block of all I've ever used. And if you need a place to keep it, Mama Bears little 2-piece wood soap dish is great for storing it on the counter...they make a great combination! I spent about 5 years or so into DE shaving trying more prestigious brands, then bargain brands before ordering either of these and now wish I had done so immediately upon starting out. Both are highly recommended! Hope that helps!

 

I was at the land of Wal you speak of but was unable to find such droids as I was looking for. I will check some pharmacies, courtesy of your provided link. They have great prices too, much obliged am I.

 

I have had some really cheap alum blocks crumble when used. I agree, the brand doesn't affect the ingredients, but there's more to quality than the ingredients.

Check out RazoRock, probably the biggest advance in alum in centuries. Available at Shoebox Shave Shop, Bullgoose, West Coast Shaving and others.

 

Tired eyes does not make one old.

 

My most recent alum is the Laffees deodorant branded version. It has the same plastic base as the Razorock and I must say that little piece of plastic is very convienient and the alum itself has no large air pockets, great smoothness, and excellent clarity. IMHO the only one of those that's really a big deal is the air pockets which occassionally occur in some really cheap blocks.

 

The advance is in its packaging. It's cylindrical, with a rounded top - no edges or corners. The bottom is set in a plastic, screw-threaded base that makes a fantastic handle. That screws into a plastic, domed top case for protection, minimizing worries that dropping it will shatter the alum. The alum itself is top quality, with good solid integrity throughout, and no air holes or problems with crumbling.

I'm not connected with the product in any way, other than being very satisfied customer. From the previous post, however, it doesn't appear like it's the only one so packaged (though it may likely have been the first).