Is All Alum Created Equal?

[Pedro Navaja]

Finally I found a local Indian shop that sells Alum for a buck and a half a block. It looks kind of the same as what you see in the net, but it is an unrecognizable brand, and it is literally all piled up in a box in a corner of this "Cash and Carry". Do I need to be concerned for the quality? Is all Alum basically the same? Or should I just send three times more plus shipping for something well known?

 

[cb91710]

Potassium Alum
Ammonium Alum

That's about the only functional difference.
Some brands marketing as deodorant may add a scent, but the stuff at the local Indian grocer is perfect for both shaving and pits.

 

[Pedro Navaja]

Potassium Alum
Ammonium Alum

That's about the only functional difference.
Some brands marketing as deodorant may add a scent, but the stuff at the local Indian grocer is perfect for both shaving and pits.

Thanks Rich. The only thing in English was a "Shaving Alum" in the sticker. Other than that all was in Hindi....I think. I'll give it a try then.

 

[rand77]

Does it matter if it is Potassium or Ammonium?

I have a block of Osma Alum, not sure what type it is, or if that even matters.

 

[VerbaVolant]

...Is all Alum basically the same?...

In my opinion, no, it isn't.

I use Bloc Osma and recently (almost a year now) discovered other good quality stones.

The ones I have are clear, clean and pure. Just like these ones Verdan kalunite

Is the one you have "crystal clear"?

 

[Pedro Navaja]

...Is the one you have "crystal clear"?

Nope! Actually quite cloudy compare to what I've seen on the net. VERY cloudy.

 

[cb91710]

Does it matter if it is Potassium or Ammonium?

I have a block of Osma Alum, not sure what type it is, or if that even matters.

Potassium Alum is typically used.
Ammonium alum is similar, most often marketed as deodorant, but under extreme conditions it has been known to break down and cause rashes.

 

[Pedro Navaja]

Checking the wiki, the Alum I found looks as cloudy as the one pictured.

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Alum

 

[VerbaVolant]

Does it matter if it is Potassium or Ammonium?

I have a block of Osma Alum, not sure what type it is, or if that even matters.

Ammonium Alum is manufactured and the process involves the use of sulfuric acid. Not nice what it did to my skin .

Potassium Alum is a naturally occurring mineral, and therefore extracted: Verdan Crystal Deodorant Production

Your Bloc Osma is Potassium Alum, as far as I know.

 

[weizemanner]

I haven't tried the potassium alum, but I use the ammonium alum for deodorant regularly. I tried it on my face and it was way too sting-y for me...

 

[BrookR1]

The Indian alum works fine for me. But, I only use it maybe 4 times per year as my shave technique has improved since I first started.

 

[cb91710]

Checking the wiki, the Alum I found looks as cloudy as the one pictured.

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Alum

I've never seen a perfectly clear alum block.

 

[dcobranchi]

All potassium alum is essentially the same. That's what you want to use as a post shave. Ammonium alum is used in styptic pencils. The ammonium salt is more water soluble. It would not work as a post shave as you would end up with a ton of it on your face.

I recommend giving the cheap stuff a try.

BTW, the potassium alum is also used as a deodorant.

 

[velechasni]

I've been using an alum stick sold as a odorless deodorant from a local drug store and it works just fine. So go for it

 

[fuzinboston]

Any feedback on TOBS v. Osma? I've dropped my TOBS too many times and it's almost time for a new block...

 

[buyandhold2018]

There is Potassium alum and ammonium alum (synthetic).

Natural potassium alum is the one you want to use on your face and under you arms.

But, there are also different qualities of potassium alum! Ever notice some alum stones have a brownish; yellowish or greenish tinge to them (the cheap Indian and Turkish stones)? That is from other elements contaminating the alum, so those stones are not 100% pure potassium alum.

Also, a quality stone is polished, before it's packaged, to insure the stone will not scrape the face (or under arm).

 

[Toltepeceno]

The alum I get here at "El Mercado" in sizable chunks has some parts clear and some cloudy. I have no idea which type it is but it works great.

Must be potassium, they look similar to these:




I was just reading about clear and cloudy alum. Natural alum, it appears, is still normally cloudy where synthetic is very white. The cloudy part appears to be the same as the perfectly clear part, I would think so as the chunks here have perfectly clear parts and cloudy parts on the same rock. By the example below clear does not necessarily mean "perfectly" clear.

http://www.laboratoiresosma.com/different-alum-stones.php

We find on the market two kinds of alum stones:

• Chemical alum : ammonium Alum
  
• Natural alum: Potassium Alum
  
  ​
  

The real natural potassium alum is characterized by its clearness (contrary to recomposed potassium alum which looks opaque and powdery).
​

To make the difference take a look to the label which precise alum origin: ammonium or potassium alum.

There is also what we call “reconstitute” alum which is not issued from the manual work on crystal alum.

Those products which are more opaque than the real alum stones are moulded without any manual work on the crystal.

A natural alum stone is lightly clear with crystallisation veins.

Moulded stones are sold in two principal models 60 and 120g in a plastic packaging.
We often remark that those stones have not the same duration life.

 

[Pedro Navaja]

Went back and this is what I ended up with. Will give a try under the arm tonight after shower, and if no funny feeling appears, I will give it a try in my face tomorrow morning. And no, neither was 100 gr. All between 90 and 94 gr, which I still think is pretty good.

 

[Toltepeceno]

Based on the info I posted above it does not look like the pure white chemical alum on the left. I think you are good to go.

Here is mine that I am using right now by phone photo, my dslr is ooc.

 

[wazza]

Glad i have seen this post. I have often wondered if there was a difference.
I originaly had a osma bloc but dropped and smashed it. So due to holiday bills I bought a bock for £2 which is a quarter of what I paid for the osma. After reading this I have checked the packaging which says 100% natural and pottasium alum, so it must be the same as the osma but its not clear like it. Doesnt have such a sharp sting to it either unless my shaving technique has improved.