Best Deal for Alum Block?

**rhmills** · 09-06-2010, 05:39 PM

Does anybody know where the lowest price including shipping is for an alum block? Thanks!

Ryan

**RichGem** · 09-06-2010, 05:40 PM

tulumba.com

**petr** · 09-06-2010, 05:50 PM

razorock seems the best I've seen. trumper ripped me a new one on a rock.

**LinuxMintyFresh** · 09-06-2010, 07:56 PM

I got a 220g alum block at a Chinese grocer for 89 cents. It's the kind of alum one uses as antiperspirant and for cooking, but some use it for shaving as well.

**MyKindOfTown** · 09-06-2010, 07:57 PM

Shoebox Shave has a block for 4.99

**rtb178** · 09-06-2010, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by LinuxMintyFresh

I got a 220g alum block at a Chinese grocer for 89 cents. It's the kind of alum one uses as antiperspirant and for cooking, but some use it for shaving as well.

Cooking?

**htownmmm** · 09-06-2010, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by RichGem

tulumba.com

2.99 per from tulumba. And they last, and last.

marty

**LinuxMintyFresh** · 09-06-2010, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by rtb178

Cooking?

Apparently it is used for a variety of things including pickling, so maybe not "cooking," but food prep.

**muskokabrian** · 09-06-2010, 08:50 PM

http://shop.bestshave.net

Blocks are under 2.50. Can't beat their prices on blades either. Ships from Turkey but was quick and dirt cheap to Canada.

**Kcaps** · 09-06-2010, 09:22 PM

rasagepoulin.com has a sale on Razorock blocks at $2.99 each. I picked up 6 last time I went up there. Remember these are cheap for a reason. I prefer my OSMA, although more expensive, it is well worth it!

**Danuhoh** · 09-07-2010, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Kcaps

rasagepoulin.com has a sale on Razorock blocks at $2.99 each. I picked up 6 last time I went up there. Remember these are cheap for a reason. I prefer my OSMA, although more expensive, it is well worth it!

Can you tell me why you like the OSMA better than RazoRock; is there a quality difference (less irritation, etc.)?

Thanks.

**rom1** · 10-28-2010, 07:32 AM

osma alum block is a real hand made natural alum block
Most of stones from asia are moulded alum stone
You can see the difference between them osma alum block is often more clear and not homogeneous
When i buy alum block i feel like i was participating to a transmission of a know how

**proxymoron** · 10-28-2010, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by rom1

osma alum block is a real hand made natural alum block
Most of stones from asia are moulded alum stone
You can see the difference between them osma alum block is often more clear and not homogeneous
When i buy alum block i feel like i was participating to a transmission of a know how

This bit of lore proudly brought to you by the makers of Bloc Osma.

**beachape** · 10-28-2010, 07:54 AM

Thai crystal is also good. The 4.25 sticks are great for deodorant and would work great for your face (same potassium alum). I stopped using alum on my face though because I found it caused more irritation than it alleviated.

I would advise getting a better alum block such as osma, razorock, or thai crystal. The cheapo ones (chopped and formed) tend to get sharp edges. I had the $8 from westcoastshaving and after a few weeks it was unusable. You can get good deals on amazon too if you search. Many are eligible for free shipping

**OBXBBS** · 10-28-2010, 08:39 AM

That's a very honest appraisal!

**fisherbln** · 10-28-2010, 09:06 AM

Great post RazoRock, thank you!

**TMH478** · 10-28-2010, 12:43 PM

Originally Posted by petr

razorock seems the best I've seen. trumper ripped me a new one on a rock.

This is fantastic! I use one at home and one for travel.

**mdevine** · 10-28-2010, 03:41 PM

I use alum on occasion but it tends to dry my face if I use it too often. Even if I never used it on my face, I would still keep a block of it around. I find that if I rub my left thumb and index finger over the block, it greatly improves the grip I can get on my face. This makes it easier to pull areas of my face taut that otherwise slide away due to the slickness imparted by the shaving soap.

**RazoRock** · 10-28-2010, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by mdevine

I use alum on occasion but it tends to dry my face if I use it too often. Even if I never used it on my face, I would still keep a block of it around. I find that if I rub my left thumb and index finger over the block, it greatly improves the grip I can get on my face. This makes it easier to pull areas of my face taut that otherwise slide away due to the slickness imparted by the shaving soap.

This is a great suggestion. When I start my shave I alway screw open my alum and put it on the sink... when my fingers get a little slick I rub my thumb and index on the alum and I quickly get the "tackiness" back. Even if you don't use alum, I would suggest try this.