I’ve never had an alum block do this before. My RazoRock alum block has developed holes and is crumbling. The block hasn’t had much use. I dry the block before putting it back in the case. Has anyone else had this problem?
RazoRock alum block crumbling
- Thread starter Ratso
- Start date
I haven’t but you could bottle the smaller pieces with a witch hazel solution - allows for continued use, albeit slightly different application.
My previous alum block (not Razorock) did something similar. It eventually slipped from my hand and shattered.
I think it might have been due to leaving it in a humid bathroom, but that is speculation. I cannot say for certain.
I currently use a "natural deodorant" which is just the same. You can probably find them at natural remedy/natural supplement retailers. Probably cheaper than a specialist shaving branded one too.
I think it might have been due to leaving it in a humid bathroom, but that is speculation. I cannot say for certain.
I currently use a "natural deodorant" which is just the same. You can probably find them at natural remedy/natural supplement retailers. Probably cheaper than a specialist shaving branded one too.
YES. I bought two brands 5 years ago, the RazoRock one crumbled to pieces, still have the other one and use it time to time with no issues still smooth as glass. I assumed it was a bad batch but if its still happening who knows...
There is a difference between alum blocks. Some are made from a solid piece of alum, others are made from alum pieces pressed together.
The solid alum kind tends to last longer, as long as it's kept dry. With the pressed kind, once water penetrates, it can begin eroding from the inside.
I've been most happy with my Bloc Osma small block. The small one is the best size, IMHO.
The solid alum kind tends to last longer, as long as it's kept dry. With the pressed kind, once water penetrates, it can begin eroding from the inside.
I've been most happy with my Bloc Osma small block. The small one is the best size, IMHO.
I also use Bloc Osma (75g) and it is indeed tiny but makes maneuvering around the face easy. The Barbero is also a solid cut block (100g) for approximately same price.
I had one crumble prematurely. I saved the bits and crushed some of it into an even finer powder to quickly quell bigger nicks and weepers. Still useful even if you can’t easily rub the block on your face.
I have had good luck with this brand..
They are Very inexpensive on the bay.... I bought a 4 or 5 pack a few years ago and still using it.. it was less than 6 USD if I remember correctly....
They are Very inexpensive on the bay.... I bought a 4 or 5 pack a few years ago and still using it.. it was less than 6 USD if I remember correctly....
Happened to me as well with the Razorock alum. Went back to Osma and no problems (other than always dropping it and having it shatter well before it's useful lifetime is done 
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)- Thread starter
- #10
Well, no more RazoRock alum for me.
Maybe I’ll grind what’s left into a fine powder and throw it into a punch bowl as the Three Stooges did in one of their escapades. It was funny to watch when I was a kid. I didn’t even know what Alum was. It made everyone pucker to the point where could hardly communicate their bidding during a game of Bridge.
The nice cool brand I mentioned is is 75 grams and is square..
Honestly this brand I have not had problems out of..
I just use it and then dry it off and put it back in the little cardboard box to store until the next use....
I might look for a better storage case sometime but this has worked for me. It (Alum block ) has Not fallen apart or cracked ....
Honestly this brand I have not had problems out of..
I just use it and then dry it off and put it back in the little cardboard box to store until the next use....
I might look for a better storage case sometime but this has worked for me. It (Alum block ) has Not fallen apart or cracked ....
I’ve used Gentleman Jon alum block for 2/3 years now, still have the same block I originally bought and has never dissolved.
Their sandalwood shaving soap is also fairly decent
Their sandalwood shaving soap is also fairly decent
ended up few years back mine started to fall apart on me and broke in half then i replaced it with a ossma bloc and put it in my case of my razorock alum never looked back even better performance too
I have Gentleman Jon block that hasn't been used for sometime now. But, my Omega Alum stick is almost worn down to a barely usable stub. When it goes, back to the alum block, and hopefully without the issue(s) describe above.
I wouldn't be surprised if a block fell apart. AFAIK it's just a natural stone quarried like rock salt in India, and the processing and banging around in the dump truck will just cause fine cracks and whatnot. I do have leftover bits of an old stick deodorant that is very clear and no cracks, and some chunks from another batch that are cracky. I have a lifetime supply now. I wouldn't dunk it in water though; water will make its way into hairline cracks and then I'd expect it to fall apart in my hand. I leave my face wet and rub it on and leave it while I towel dry and set the chunk aside to dry. Alum rocks imho and I'll never be without it again.
Where does the information come from that bits are pressed together to make bigger blocks? That might work like making a salt lick though so it could be right.
Where does the information come from that bits are pressed together to make bigger blocks? That might work like making a salt lick though so it could be right.
I *think* the Razorock alum blocks are cast. For the round version with a plastic base, I’ve found that no matter how careful I am to dry it, and keep the base dry in use, some water gets into the base. There’s a tiny drain hole, but that doesn’t prevent a bit of water from remaining.
I think the cast blocks are much like an ice cube, with internal fissures from the rapid cooling. These fissures allow water to permeate the block, and weaken it from within.
As others have mentioned, sawn blocks such as the Osma seem much less susceptible. I assume these are quarried from natural deposits, but I don’t really know. They could be sawn from a larger, slow-cooled cast block. Regardless, they hold up better.
I think the cast blocks are much like an ice cube, with internal fissures from the rapid cooling. These fissures allow water to permeate the block, and weaken it from within.
As others have mentioned, sawn blocks such as the Osma seem much less susceptible. I assume these are quarried from natural deposits, but I don’t really know. They could be sawn from a larger, slow-cooled cast block. Regardless, they hold up better.
I have been using a 100g block from Proraso which came with pitting on one end, and has since gave way. I can peer into the block to see that it's not 100% solid, so I venture to say theirs is pressed. I can keep my thumb over it to reduce its exposure to water. Though I let it fully air out between uses - it's an inevitability that the block will crumble over time.
Aside from this, it is a very good bar - great size, price, and smoothness
I mostly use the 75g Osma Bloc, I can feel a difference between this and the Proraso bar above. They also make a 100g with plastic case which is part of my travel kit.
I've seen some photos of the Osma manufacturing process. It looks like they mostly use machine tools such as band saws and grinders. The sticks are made using a machine that looks like a large drill press with a hole saw. They grind up the leftover material into powder and use it in other products like styptic pencils.
