Never felt the need to use it either. I don't have facial irritation. Always thought that aftershave was intended to be used at the conclusion of the shave? I am fine with that.
I finally tried an alum block and…
- Thread starter Old Squid
- Start date
Never felt the need to use it either. I don't have facial irritation. Always thought that aftershave was intended to be used at the conclusion of the shave? I am fine with that.
UPDATE:
I used the potassium alum again today...Very nice!
No dryness, hardly any sting even though I used my blackbird with the super sharp BIC blade!
My skin feels wonderful. No tightness, no dryness. There's a very smooth finish to the skin which I don't get with just using an ASB. The alum is definitely adding a skin finishing benefit, not so much a soothing benefit as my ASB takes care of that.
I think I'm addicted to alum as I just love the feeling when swiping it on the skin after shaving and the way it gives an ultra smooth finish to my skin!
So glad I thought to give it a shot!!
I used the potassium alum again today...Very nice!
No dryness, hardly any sting even though I used my blackbird with the super sharp BIC blade!
My skin feels wonderful. No tightness, no dryness. There's a very smooth finish to the skin which I don't get with just using an ASB. The alum is definitely adding a skin finishing benefit, not so much a soothing benefit as my ASB takes care of that.
I think I'm addicted to alum as I just love the feeling when swiping it on the skin after shaving and the way it gives an ultra smooth finish to my skin!
So glad I thought to give it a shot!!
- Thread starter
- #43
Interesting. One of the things I like most about alum blocks is that they stop all my weepers. Like, very quickly!
If alum stops it it ain't a weeper.
- Thread starter
- #45
Ok.
FYI: I know what a weeper is. And I know what happens to them when I use the alum block.
hey there! sir, how much did the previous/first one last for you? thanks in advance
I use Alum after every shave. I like the way it makes my skin feel and it helps with nicks and weepers. I purchased it from Italian Barber. The block comes in a plastic container.
I used to use Styptic pencils, but they are getting harder to find in my local drug stores.
The block of Alum I have will last a long time.
b/r
ON_1
I used to use Styptic pencils, but they are getting harder to find in my local drug stores.
The block of Alum I have will last a long time.
b/r
ON_1
It is a very good bar, especially given the price and size. I’ve had this and a bar of Osma in rotation for a while.
I like to use Alum sparingly, only when needed; but if I’m hopping in the shower post shave, then it’s all systems go.
I lean towards the Osma, however I like the sizing of the Proraso block.
At $10 I figured might as well snag one to try it. Even if I don't use it often, good to have around.
I like the way alum tells me how well (or poorly) I shaved, how it tightens up the skin, etc. But most of all I like how it gets rid of the soap residue I would otherwise feel on my face for hours after the shave. Makes it feel squeaky clean. That's the main reason I use it after every shave.
Oh man I loves my alum chunk. I got a jug of chunks of it from an Indian grocery near where I live. Took the biggest chunk and used some sand paper on it to smooth a flat side and never looked back. It's real popular in India and I *think* they put it in their bathwater too. It's gets me excited even typing about it; if you've never tried it, get you a block of it and you'll (probably) be glad you did. Evidently there's a few outliers who don't get an advantage to them, but I sure do. I had a shave today I just about flipped out over. Fresh Feather blade, Cella first pass and finished up with Arko, no cuts, alum chunk, Afta balm with a small splash of Captain's Choice pineapple AS which sadly he's not going to be making after testing didn't work on this particular scent. 15 hours later my face still feels great. One of my many epiphanies is the alum chunk. If you don't use it, you should!
An Alum Block is an essential component of my daily head and face shave. Skin feels great after using it!
I *think* what you have to do is get some aluminum oxide into your garden soil and then eat the food you grow. That's how you get the aluminum into your brain. *I think*.
So I don't leave a pile of aluminum scraps outside to corrode (I do a little sand casting in my driveway).
This is what I normally get. I might get a little blood that makes it past the alum and so use a styptic pencil. Occasionally I'll even get a spot like a weensie zit that won't show up until hours later. I chalk that up to poor technique or pushing the Feather blade into my skin. I have to finesse my razor. When I manage to do so, like today, it's heaven.
Is a styptic pencil more or less alum?
Yes.
"A styptic pencil is a medicated stick generally made of powdered crystal from an alum block and a wax binder which is pressed into a handy lipstick size and shape. You use a Styptic Pencil to seal small cuts and nicks, especially those caused during wet shaving."
"Styptic pencils are quite a bit stronger and have more concentrated power than an alum block. They look like a piece of chalk"
Thanks Mr. Primate, a discount grocery near me recently stocked Clubman styptic pencils for a buck a piece.
A Styptic pen is typically a more medical based alum formulation. I have the jumbo sticks actually from Pinaud Clubman, and they will provide only a quick second of a sting, because as your rubbing it on, it develops a white creamy substance, very similar to Neo Sporin anti-biotic creams. So it seals up the wound, as well as soothes it. Alum block can't do that. Also Alum Blocks are for sealing up miner nicks and facial toning, tightening up your skin and all that, works wonders!
But when you have a serious weeper that just doesn't seem to want to stop, try a styptic pen, or better yet, one of my jumbo Pinaud Clubman stypic sticks, and you will be amazed how well they work. Just like in a workshop or construction site, every tool has its purpose, so does it in the world of traditional wet shaving! May the alum block be with you, and if you should make a terrible mistake, may the styptic pen save you.
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