I’ve been using a 3.4oz Gentleman Jon’s alum block which I got for Amazon for $8 and it’s been an essential part of my daily share routine. In addition to shaving, I also cook a lot of Asian food. I was at the local Asian grocery store last month and was surprised to see them selling 8oz bags containing 2-3 pure alum blocks... for one buck. I’ve been using just one of the pieces of the “grocery store alum” for the last month or so and the flattest side has become almost glass-like (before, it was rough... I’ve added pictures of the used and unused one side by side so you can see what I mean).
As far as I can tell, it’s identical to the name brand stuff. I mean, alum is alum. I guess you could cut it to block size but what’s the point? I like it being larger because it feels like it covers my face more easily when using it after shaving.
It just blew my mind that they sell this thing (apparently for cooking) that I think is essential for every wet shaved to have... the same product by weight for brand name (Jon’s) would cost around $20. I highly recommend that those of you out there who use alum blocks go to your nearest larger Asian supermarket and check the spices/powders aisle.
I have no clue what precisely Asians use the alum for (other than cooking) but I’m super happy to have found it so cheap.
Hope this post has been of benefit to someone reading it!
As far as I can tell, it’s identical to the name brand stuff. I mean, alum is alum. I guess you could cut it to block size but what’s the point? I like it being larger because it feels like it covers my face more easily when using it after shaving.
It just blew my mind that they sell this thing (apparently for cooking) that I think is essential for every wet shaved to have... the same product by weight for brand name (Jon’s) would cost around $20. I highly recommend that those of you out there who use alum blocks go to your nearest larger Asian supermarket and check the spices/powders aisle.
I have no clue what precisely Asians use the alum for (other than cooking) but I’m super happy to have found it so cheap.
Hope this post has been of benefit to someone reading it!