Opinion on Alum blocks?

Alum Blocks, a highly debated item. I always like to use some kind of astringent after I shave. I have alcohol based ones that I usually use followed by a balm,
but I also use to use an alum block in lieu of the aftershaves. It stung and I liked the fact that the block will last for YEARS and is alcohol free but after I put it on,
I could never really wash it off. I see in online videos people saying to wash off the alum after 15-30 seconds but it feels like it's stuck on my face and when I put
on a balm after, I feel the alum still there. 

Is there a way to properly wash off alum or is it normal for that residue feeling?

Cheers Gentleman

I've stopped using it as an astringent after swearing by it for quite a long time. It did its job well as an astringent, but there, was this splotchy red spot on my cheek that the alum seemed to be accentuating. Then I discovered Thayers, which did the opposite. Now I can hardly detect the spot. I still use alum as a tool to maintain grip or address small nicks.

If you're talking about the clingy feeling on your face, that's kinda just what it does. Unless you like that, you're kinda forced to use a balm to smooth your skin out again.

I've stopped using it as an astringent after swearing by it for quite a long time. It did its job well as an astringent, but there, was this splotchy red spot on my cheek that the alum seemed to be accentuating. Then I discovered Thayers, which did the opposite. Now I can hardly detect the spot. I still use alum as a tool to maintain grip or address small nicks.

If you're talking about the clingy feeling on your face, that's kinda just what it does. Unless you like that, you're kinda forced to use a balm to smooth your skin out again.

So you use Thayer's as your aftershave? Is it as effective?

Thayers gets the job done with in the zero-to-mild irritation situations, which is typically what I'm dealing with at this point. If I do happen to irritate myself for whatever reason, I usually need an alcohol splash to soothe that out.

Thayers just feels like it's good for my skin. I use it in the morning as a quicky face wash, after I've been sweating a bit (exercise or whatnot), or before bed on nights where I don't shave. I got the idea to keep a little spray atomizer on me from some Amazon reviews, and this works well for application.

I swap between an alum block and thayer's witch hazel. Usually when I am trying a new razor or a new blade I go for the alum block as I like the feedback it gives me on the aggressiveness of the shave. The rest of the time WH gets the call. As far as using alum and getting it rinsed off completely I've never had a problem. I wet my face and the alum block well and apply . Then I let it sit on my face for 15-30 seconds while cleaning my brush then I rinse it off with cold water. Leaves my face feeling tight but not like there is a residue. Perhaps your perceiving the tightness that the alum will cause as residue?

I dislike alum blocks as part of an after shave regimen as I find it leaves my face feeling tight and dry. I will spot use it to stop the bleeding of a minor weeper.

I personally cannot use an alum block as it makes my face feel like it's on fire.

My skin hates alum. Always gives me a rash after using it for a few days in a row. There are much better options out there for post-shave skincare.

Alum irritates my skin, i use it to stop small cuts only now.

Alum irritates my skin, i use it to stop small cuts only now.

Yeah it's still handy for that, and it's great for retaining your grip if you're having a particularly messy shave.