Opinion on Alum blocks?

I go for the alum block as I like the feedback

That's why I recommend that people who are starting out use an alum block. The alum will tell you the spots where you need to work on your technique.

I use it mostly for weepers. Sometimes I use it over my whole face and neck but a dermatologist told me that that's "awfully harsh." I don't find the tingle it provides all that pleasant, but for weepers it's great as a disinfectant and to stop the bleeding. It's something I keep on hand and like but not for every shave. I agree about Thayer's. Great stuff, as are most witch hazels. 

I used to end the shave with a cold water splash then apply balm or aftershave. Recently I saw a video on youtube where a barber applied a cold towel to the client's face after the shave, then a hot towel to open the pores again so the balm can sink in. So if I've had a rough shave I'll apply a cold towel to my face instead of the alum block. It does cool the skin and help with redness and weepers. Then a hot towel, then balm or aftershave.

I used it in the beginning while honing my skills. Even if I had a clean shave with no cuts or weepers my pressure may have been more than needed. Alum told me where it was. After I got the hang of shaving I haven't touched one since. I do use dickensons after I rinse tho. It's what my grandfather did so it's what I do. Plus the smell reminds me of him. Then splash or balm of choice.


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I am a habitual alum user. I rub it on then clean my razor and brush. By then the alum has been on long enough and I rinse it off. I dries my skin and makes it feel tight so I moisturize.

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I keep a block handy for when I buff a little too close under my chin (usually there)
It's also great after rinsing to rub a block across the mug ...... for some honest feedback!

I've never used one. Most of my nicks close up with just a cold water splash and an alcohol based splash. The splash gives me all the feedback I need


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I keep a block handy for when I buff a little too close under my chin (usually there)
It's also great after rinsing to rub a block across the mug ...... for some honest feedback!

I use to use alum after every shave but I find it too much of a hassle now. I use my block now primarily to rub on my fingers to get a better grip when stretching the skin.

I use alum after each shave. I always rinse then follow the Alum with AS balm. That way I get the best of both worlds. Astringent/antiseptic then mosizuration.

Art of shaving

I always use alum, but to stop a weeper I use styptic pencil.

The alum that I use is actually sold as "crystal deodorant".
"Deodorant Stones of America" have several product lines (including "Thai" and "Crystallux"), but all of their crystal deodorants are Potassium Alum (the good stuff), not Ammonium Alum (less good, possibly bad stuff).

Check out the size: 120 g.
An Omega Alum stick is only 50 g.
An Osma "Extra Large" Alum Block is only 100 g.
This stuff is something like half the price per gram as the alum intended for post-shave use. 

I use mine daily and I'm only half way through it after about a year of use. The bottom of the container makes a great handle, and the cap is flat enough that you can park it upside down. By parking it upside down any remaining water does not drip into the handle, which would dissolve the "thread" on the crystal, causing it to come loose (as with the Omega sticks).

Often it's impossible to determine which kind of alum these products use just by reading the label. They typically only make a big deal about not having aluminum.
This is not even strictly true, because Potassium alum, K(SO4)2Al(SO4)3·24H2O and [font=sans-serif]Ammonium alum, NH4Al(SO4)2·12H2O both contain an aluminum compound.[/font]
What they really mean is that they don't have aluminum chlorohydrate, which is alleged to be associated with Alzheimer's disease and breast cancer.