Those who have used Osma and another alum brand - do you notice a difference?
Also - with daily use as an aftershave - how long does 1 block last?
Also - with daily use as an aftershave - how long does 1 block last?
Is Bloc Osma truly superior?
- Thread starter vickywally
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Alum tends to last a very, very long time. Been using my RR Alum stick almost daily for a few months now and still got a few months left in it.
As for differences, yes there can be differences between Alums depending on what was used to make it. Can't remember different ingredients used for Alum at the moment though. I think Potassium Alum is considered to be the good one for shaving purposes.
I tried the Osma in the past and it worked very well, but I ended up with the RR Alum. The stick design was more convenient for me. Unlike the Osma I haven't dropped the RR. But I don't think I could tell them apart based on their performance, if both came in the same shape.
As for differences, yes there can be differences between Alums depending on what was used to make it. Can't remember different ingredients used for Alum at the moment though. I think Potassium Alum is considered to be the good one for shaving purposes.
I tried the Osma in the past and it worked very well, but I ended up with the RR Alum. The stick design was more convenient for me. Unlike the Osma I haven't dropped the RR. But I don't think I could tell them apart based on their performance, if both came in the same shape.
Mine last until they hit the bathroom floor . . . .
my osma block lasted about one year with daily use. i have since changed to a generic block which was cheaper, and it is inferior, but still effective imho (although it seems to be shrinking alot quicker than the osma block)
Well at least I'm not the only one that does that. I did quite the juggling act on Saturday.
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Thanks for the insight! Could you comment a bit more on why your 'generic' bar is inferior?
Osma does claim on their website that their blocks last longer than cheaper 'generic' alum blocks - which seems to jive with your experience?
my pores seemed to close up/pucker up a bit more with the Osma block, if that makes any sense.
Since it's a naturally occurring crystal, the concentration and impurities will be different in different deposits. It would seem that Osma sources their alum from a good deposit.
My Osma has still 90% with a usage of 4-5 times per week for the last two years.
Typical rookie mistake. My bathroom floor is made from bloc osma tiles. This way, when I pass out from loss of blood, the floor stops the bleeding.
I purchased a generic alum block off of amazon and found it to be quite inferior to my bloc osma. The overall size was smaller and it came to me broken into two pieces. The two pieces wasn't even the deal breaker. The generic alum block had a small hole through the center. That meant that my block wore both externally and internally every time I wet it, and as a result the generic block expired rather quickly. I have also heard really nice things about the RR alum.
More benefits: non-skid, and the antibacterial properties reduce foot odor.
I'm using one now for a bit over three years and it's half gone. I only use it for small spots, though. It stings a little bit but the sting and the effect is not very strong. For some cuts where the Bloc Osma won't stop the bleeding, a styptic pencil usually will. One advantage is that it doesn't leave white residue on the skin like a styptic pencil. Don't know about the cheap (chinese?) alum blocks but styptic pencils get used up much faster since they're just pressed powder. AFAIR, Osma blocks are from naturally grown crystals.
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I don't have an Osma Bloc, but I do have an eShave alum bloc, that visually, is far superior to the $1 alum block that I bought at a local Indian store. They both work well, though the eShave block wears much nicer than the Indian block, which has more fissures.
Mine won't last a year. I also have the RazoRock for travel. I must be alum-absorbent. Both my Alum blocs dissolve quickly. I've already ordered another RazoRock to wait in the wings.
How do you use your blocks? I rinse with cool water, apply, rinse with cool water, and then towel dry. I have read that some only moisten the portion of the block they intend to use to even further reduce wear. If your storage container doesn't breathe well I think any moisture will increase usage rate too.
Also, I didn't realize until today that we had chatted earlier about the Merz in Chicago Chadao. Did you make the trip and did it break the bank?
Yup just happened to me
I recently started using the Osma alum after finally using up (1.5 years) an unknown brand that I had purchased at a health food store. The difference was noticeable. The Osma block seems to leave a thick, almost creamy, film across my face as compared to the other brand. It also doesn't sting as much when I do a bad job with the blade. I won't be going back to the old brand. In fact, I recently purchased two more Osma blocks when they were the Deal of the Week at Royal Shave.
