It makes me wonder then, why people complain about dropping the blocks.I forgot to mention another use for the alum. If your fingers are slippery during a shave, give them a quick rub on the alum block - instant grip! Handy to have around if you need to change settings in the middle of a shave.
I am 2/3 of the way through my first block of alum (Shavex) and have never dropped it.
I pick up the dry block with dry fingers and dip one end in water.
When I rub it on my face I keep the wet end tilted down so that the end I am holding stays dry.
Always holding it by the same end also makes a little concavity on both sides so it's even easier to grip.