Alum blocks to test your method

[DESkydiver]

I have very thin blood, thanks to a number of meds, so when I have a nick it tends to bleed for some time. I use an alum block to touch up the immediate area and it really works great for coagulation on the spot.

I have read in other posts that some use an alum block over their entire face and neck to ‘test’ their shaving routine, making sure they do not cause any irritation anywhere on the face. I tried that for the first time last night after putting a new Feather in my EJ DE89L. The shave was really smooth and I had no issues at all… so I thought! After gliding the alum block all over my face and neck, I felt slight tingling in many places, and decided that I still need to practice more to get to that point where there is zero tingling.

3 months of DE shaving and still learning. (My dad always told me “The day you stop learning is the day you die.”) So I will also follow suit of others and use the block after each shave until I reach that 'near-perfect' level.

 

[JPM]

I find the alum block a good reminder to watch technique and it is a good toner as well.

 

[petr]

I find that when I used feathers I will almost always have that bite after. It's what a feather does. I like them though and an alum block.

My conclusion is that most DE razors were not designed to handle the almighty feather.

 

[GoldenMonkey]

There will always be SOME tingling, so I wouldn't sweat it too much. What you want to avoid is the "oh my god, what is that burning, searing, pain?!? Getitoffgetitoffgetitoff!!!" kind of reaction that takes your breath away it hurts so bad kind of sensation.

 

[watchhillian]

+1. The definintion of the adjective styptic is "serving to contract organic tissue; astringent; binding." I can relate to the binding part and I love the feeling.

I'm still trying to figure out where to use it in my post shave. Warm water rinse, cold water rinse, alum block, Theyers or warm water rinse, cold water rinse, Theyers, alum block. Any input is appreciated.

 

[GoldenMonkey]

+1. The definintion of the adjective styptic is "serving to contract organic tissue; astringent; binding." I can relate to the binding part and I love the feeling.

I'm still trying to figure out where to use it in my post shave. Warm water rinse, cold water rinse, alum block, Theyers or warm water rinse, cold water rinse, Theyers, alum block. Any input is appreciated.

Warm rinse, cold rinse, alum block on damp face, leave a minute or two, cold rinse, Thayer's or whatever aftershave splash or balm flavor of the day, and done.

 

[DESkydiver]

There will always be SOME tingling, so I wouldn't sweat it too much. What you want to avoid is the "oh my god, what is that burning, searing, pain?!? Getitoffgetitoffgetitoff!!!" kind of reaction that takes your breath away it hurts so bad kind of sensation.

This does ease my mind a bit. I was not feeling any real burning, searing pain, just a lot of tingling in many spots. I really liked the results from the Feather & 89L combination and it felt real nice after. I do follow a hot/warm rinse; cold rinse; witch hazel (now alum block); cold rinse; skin food process.

 

[saltypete]

I find the alum block a good reminder to watch technique and it is a good toner as well.

+1

Pete

 

[uatrmpt]

I'm still at the point where the lack of blood tells me it's been a good shave! ;-)

 

[buyandhold2018]

Warm rinse, cold rinse, alum block on damp face, leave a minute or two, cold rinse, Thayer's or whatever aftershave splash or balm flavor of the day, and done.

This is my routine as well.

 

[DerFly]

Warm rinse, cold rinse, alum block then clean up shaving gear.

Towel dry face, after shave balm, done!

 

[BroJohn]

When you get to the point that when passing a wet Alum block over your face you only feel the cold wet block, you'll know you've arrived. After awhile, it becomes a common occurrence.

-- John Gehman

 

[nwman]

when passing a wet Alum block over your face you only feel the cold wet block, you'll know you've arrived. After awhile, it becomes a common occurrence.

+1 to you brojohn and your band. unfortunately i can't claim this a a common occurrence but it has happened. and i'd like it to happen again.

 

[redbike]

Warm rinse, cold rinse, alum block on damp face, leave a minute or two, cold rinse, Thayer's or whatever aftershave splash or balm flavor of the day, and done.

My variation on this is warm water rinse, alum block on damp face, iron my shirt, cold water rinse & ASB.

 

[petr]

If you really want to "test" your skill then don't mess around and use a cheap alcohol splash. Youza.