I forgot to update this thread.
For my last shave, I used unrefined coconut oil and a new gillette guard blade. The blade was super sharp and I ended up cutting a few bumps/pimples clean off my scalp, I believe, as I was bleeding pretty good from a few spots. Out came the styptic pencil to control the blood, which I absolutely hate because it's like chalk and it's messy.
The coconut oil works fairly similar to the sir hare shaving oil I've been using when using my gillette guard: neither of them really clog up the razor as the design of the guard itself lends itself well to minimizing clogging on/under the blade. that said, both of them tend to clog up multi-blade cartridges, like my headblade sport and other cheap disposables.
after the shave, I just threw out my styptic pencil as it was incredibly old and falling apart. plus, I was tired of dealing with a chalky mess. I ended up going on amazon and ordering an alum block from
razorock to give alum another try.
I've used the alum block on my head and face now and I must say, it's not too bad. I'm not sure if the alum from razorock is just better quality than the alum I picked up from a local Indian store, but I haven't had the horrid MY FACE IS ON FIRE feeling like I had in the past when using alum. I also do not let the alum stay on my skin for more than 1-2 minutes. I apply it, let it sit a minute and then wipe it off with a damp towel before applying my aftershave.
Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito.