Introduced a friend to DE shaving recently and he wants a alum bar but does'nt want to pay the hyped fees they ask for online. So any links to fair prices you can suggest?
Thanks, TC.
Thanks, TC.
Alum bars?
- Thread starter TenorClef
- Start date
What do you consider a fair price?
Try this:
http://vintagescent.com/other-needs-c-6/444-alum-block-p-19
I am lucky to be able to get alum blocks very cheap in every store next door, here in Portugal...
Try this:
http://vintagescent.com/other-needs-c-6/444-alum-block-p-19
I am lucky to be able to get alum blocks very cheap in every store next door, here in Portugal...
- Thread starter
- #3
What do you consider a fair price?
Try this:
http://vintagescent.com/other-needs-c-6/444-alum-block-p-19
I am lucky to be able to get alum blocks very cheap in every store next door, here in Portugal...
Sadly here in the UK, DE shaving is virtually a lost art so being able to locate (easily) stuff like alum blocks in local stores is nigh on impossible. However that being said at £3.30 thats half the price you pay from most online suppliers.
I paid $4 at http://www.qedusa.com
So far it's lasted me 6 months and it looks only a little smaller than when I started
So far it's lasted me 6 months and it looks only a little smaller than when I started
I notice they sell alum blocks at The Gentleman's Shop in Hungerford in England. I've never dealt with them myself plus I don't know how the currency compares as I'm in Australia.
If there's an Indian community in your area, check out the local Indian grocery store for an alum bar and other shaving supplies. I have done so here in North Carolina (not exactly known for it's Indian population...), and found the Indian culture to be surprisingly wetshaving-friendly. I picked up an alum bar, various Godrej creams, and Treet and Wilkinson DE blades, all at VERY competitive prices, at my local Indian store.
- Thread starter
- #7
Great idea, yes there is quite a sizeable Asian community locally, i'll look into that.
Sadly here in the UK, DE shaving is virtually a lost art so being able to locate (easily) stuff like alum blocks in local stores is nigh on impossible. However that being said at £3.30 thats half the price you pay from most online suppliers.
If you buy from vintagescent, you won't be disappointed.
The service is excellent and the shop owner (Bruno, a.k.a. Leon) is a true gentleman.
Another good idea. Wetshaving is very popular among Asian communities.
- Thread starter
- #9
OMG my wife just bought me a block of alum from a local Asian shop for 0.59p DOH!!! 
I second (or third) this recommendation.
Go to Tulumba they are a turkish site and sell the stuff dirt cheap.
Another possibility is your local drugstore/pharmacy... look in the deod. section for "crystal (or thai crystal) deoderant" stick or stone.
Alum blocks for shaving tend to be potassium alum whereas the thai crystal deos are either ammonium alum or potassium alum (edit: depending on manufacturer). Either way, tho the eaxact composition may be slightly different, both will work equally well for shaving purposes.
The benefit to the Thai crystal is that it's easily available, usually less expensive than an alum block, and comes in it's own container (usually a propel-repel tube).
Alum blocks for shaving tend to be potassium alum whereas the thai crystal deos are either ammonium alum or potassium alum (edit: depending on manufacturer). Either way, tho the eaxact composition may be slightly different, both will work equally well for shaving purposes.
The benefit to the Thai crystal is that it's easily available, usually less expensive than an alum block, and comes in it's own container (usually a propel-repel tube).
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That's what I bought. It's on sale for $2.99 at Walgreens right now. They had the Pinaud Bay Rum for $7.99 as well. Is it wrong that I like the burn?
Sounds like a good deal to me for 5 (I think) oz of block that will last you close to forever. Just be sure not to get the liquid crystal (it'll work, but will be messy).
As far as Pinaud... I tried it once and never again. Between the burn and the stench.
Sounds like a good deal to me for 5 (I think) oz of block that will last you close to forever. Just be sure not to get the liquid crystal (it'll work, but will be messy).
As far as Pinaud... I tried it once and never again. Between the burn and the stench.
Huh, I like the smell. So does my wife and that's all that really matters I guess. I already said that I like the burn. I guess it's a matter of opinion?
Some frags definitely work better for some than others.
Alum Bars sell for a dime in my country and.....
it is THE MOST prefered AS for the average Indian.
Not Old Spice, not anything else.
Alum !!!!is the way to go for Indians !!!!
Vijay
it is THE MOST prefered AS for the average Indian.
Not Old Spice, not anything else.
Alum !!!!is the way to go for Indians !!!!
Vijay
I had some of that $1 stuff from my local Indian grocer, and it was a bit harsh and gritty. The one I got from John at WestCoastShaving.com was smoother and milder, but seems to be more effective (and it comes with a case). There are differences in terms of the actual content as well - potash alum (better) versus ammonium alum (inferior by many accounts).
I also picked up a RazoRock as a means to pick up a Feather Portable around Fathers Day but I haven't used it. They're a vendor on here, and he's spoken up before about alum content (he uses potash). RazoRock seems like a handy configuration, but it's not as great of a value as the bigger blocks. It's probably my travel alum, as soon as we book a trip somewhere...
Just my $.02 - sure, you can over-pay for alum from the likes of AoS, but you can under-buy as well. QED, WCS, and TGS all seem to be in that middle-range sweet spot, offering a sizable chunk of good quality stuff at a reasonable price.
I also picked up a RazoRock as a means to pick up a Feather Portable around Fathers Day but I haven't used it. They're a vendor on here, and he's spoken up before about alum content (he uses potash). RazoRock seems like a handy configuration, but it's not as great of a value as the bigger blocks. It's probably my travel alum, as soon as we book a trip somewhere...
Just my $.02 - sure, you can over-pay for alum from the likes of AoS, but you can under-buy as well. QED, WCS, and TGS all seem to be in that middle-range sweet spot, offering a sizable chunk of good quality stuff at a reasonable price.
I use one of those deo sticks as a deoderant but it does sting a hell of a lot more if you use it for shaving. A standard shaving block of alum lasts for years and is well worth the investment.
Everyone's skin is different, of course, but I've used the Thai Crystal (ammonium alum) for everything... pits, shaving, and oil control/acne. I've had good to great results and I've noticed no difference compared to Potassium Alum as far as performance or sting.
