Alum Use

I read through another thread on Alum but wanted some tips on actual use and storage from you guys.

Recently received Gentleman Jon's alum, in a plastic case from Bespoke Post. It is my general understanding that you simply moisten the alum block, rub across the shave area, allow to dry then rinse face again. Any other tricks and tips?

Also, do you dry the alum block after use and prior to storing?

Anything else to know?

Thanks much!

The only things I use my alum for anymore is for the odd nick or weeper and if you rub your fingers on it, you can get a really good grip on your brush or razor. I don't know if you bloom your soaps, but sometimes I do and I'll rub the bloom water on my face before lathering instead of just plain water. In doing so, your fingers get slippery so using the alum for that works really well. I found that if I used it on my face after shaving, I was getting irritation a couple hours later. At least I think that's what was causing it. I stopped getting irritation when I stopped using the alum so...? But of course, YMMV and all that.

I only use alum for the occasional (very small) nick or weeper. I find it way too drying to use all over my face after a shave.

Also, Kevin, I do make sure the alum is reasonably dry before putting it away.

when I would use it, I'd wet the tip and then rub it over my face. I'd then rinse my face before applying a balm or splash. I'd let the alum block sit out to dry while I cleaned up before putting it away.

my face cannot tolerate alum though...makes it feel like it's on fire.

I use alum after all shaves. I find it helps prevent razor bumps and rash after my shaves. I store mine in a travel soap container with it left open to dry out. My routine is after shaving and rinsing off the lather, I wet the alum and rub it all over the shaved skin. I then rinse and clean my razor, brush and soap and put away. After putting away everrything including the alum, I rinse off my face. Depending on the weather, sometimes my face is still wet and sometimes its dry when I rinse. But either wet or dry, I dont notice a difference. Alum is drying, so I do use lotion sometimes.

I'm with you Cl3anshav3, the alum block is part of my daily routine, I can tell if I've had a rough shave or not by whether I get a burn or not.  It seals any niks and when I rinse it off I use cold water, which in winter is very bracing indeed, then pat dry with a towel and apply aftershave splash or balm as the case may be.  I'll let it sit out on a kleenex to dry or if I'm in hurry, I will place it over the heat register and the air blowing over it dries it pretty effectively.  I'll then put it back in its container or box as the case may be.

I saw an effective trick for preventing the alum block from slipping out of your wet fingers and shattering on the counter - at about the 1/3 point on the long side wrap a thick rubber band around the block and it gives you a gripping surface.  Another trick to give you a better grip on your razor while shaving is to wet your thumb, index and middle finger and rub them over the alum block prior to shaving and it will give you a better grip on your razor.  

I think the alum block can be especially effective and beneficial for the younger shavers among us who may still be sorting out some of their adolescent/young adult skin sensitivities  - it will effectively clear up any acne or ingrown whisker issues.  Is there anything that alum blocks can't do?
\m/
Mark

I purchased the RR alum and small case. While I didn't care for the RR alum, the case works perfectly with my favorite alum, Osma.

I rarely if ever use it on my face as it makes it feel too tight and uncomfortable. If I have a bad shave, the last thing I want to do is rub alum all over it and remind me with burn.

I sometimes use it to wet my fingers for grip on a razor or brush. But my main use is simply to run it under the tap and then apply to a small weeper if it hasn't stopped weeping after the cold rinse.

After it gets used, it gets rinsed and set in the plastic case, lid open, on the counter until the next time I need it.

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@Bruce, I always thought alum blocks were pretty much the same. What difference(s) do you see between the RR, for example, and the Osma?

On the rare occasion that I use an Alum Block, I always dry it off with a towel before replacing it in the plastic case. I do the same with an Alum deodorant I like.

@Bruce, I always thought alum blocks were pretty much the same. What difference(s) do you see between the RR, for example, and the Osma?

The RR crumbled and broke apart, had large shards and sharp edges. The Osma has held up and only breaks apart near the very end of its life.

All evidence has been buried, all tapes have been erased.