The Alum Block?

**Little Blade** · 07-13-2009, 08:09 AM

Please forgive me for not knowing, as this seems to be common knowledge amongst members here. What exactly is an alum block, what does it do, when do you use it, and are there other products that do the same that I might be using?

**BrewMaster** · 07-13-2009, 08:17 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alum#Cosmetic

It stops the bleeding almost instantly when you cut yourself. I don't think there is anything better at doing this. Styptic pens are similar, just in a tube form vs a block form.

**Kratos** · 07-13-2009, 09:45 AM

Styptics have more salt in them and are better at stopping bleeding. Kind of like a fragmentation round versus an armor-piercing. The alum block is a great astringent for the whole face.

**Samouraï** · 07-13-2009, 09:56 AM

I have heard it was discovered in Egypt and has been used for thousands of years, but this may be wrong. Regardless of its history, a nice cold Alum Block is one of my favorite parts of the shave, even if it stings sometimes. I occasionally rub it all over my face after a shave to close the pores.

**tsmba** · 07-13-2009, 02:33 PM

I've never used the block to specifically stop a bleeding nick. For me, its part of my everyday routine....for its antiseptic and astringent properties. IMO, to stop a little bleeding, a styptic pencil or NikStik is the tool to use.

**Bertilak** · 07-13-2009, 03:38 PM

It can be a diagnostic tool.

On days I get everything right the alum block only has a mild sting. On days where I get clumsy or lazy it has a much more serious sting. My goal is to get a BBS shave without any sting from the alum!

I use over the whole face. It definitely "tones up" the skin and does stop any bleeding from small nicks.

**Seraphim** · 07-14-2009, 04:25 AM

The alum block is an S&M device for serious adult wetshavers only. It hurts so good!

As Robert said, it is a good indicator of how good you did on your shave. No pressure-no pain, too much pressure-you're gonna hear about it from the alum!

Really great at tightening up your skin after a shave either way. Be sure to let it sit for a minute or so, and then wash it off with a cold water rinse. Then applyu your favorite post-shave balm/splash/whatever as per normal.

**tsmba** · 07-14-2009, 06:35 AM

Yes, I never can figure out those who complain of "white residue". I've never seen any instruction to apply the block without later rinsing it off. I agree about the "alum feedback", too. If you're *really* into pain, try one of those Pacific rollerball deals WCS sells....they feel kind of like adding a mixture of salt and acid to a cut!

**onotoman** · 07-14-2009, 08:06 AM

Alum blocks indeed tone and clean the skin.

My wife saw me using one and gave it a try (after washing, not shaving obviously, she aint the She Devil!), now she has her own and swears that her skin is smoother.

See, they just can't see us having our own grooming products

We also found that rubbing an Alum Block on Mosquito bites takes out the itching and helps healing too.

In short a really useful item!

**Kratos** · 07-14-2009, 08:12 AM

Originally Posted by onotoman

We also found that rubbing an Alum Block on Mosquito bites takes out the itching and helps healing too.

In short a really useful item!

Really? Mosquito bites? I may have to get one for that reason alone. They get terrible here.

**onotoman** · 07-14-2009, 08:21 AM

Yes, we go to South Western Turkey a lot and the mozzies can be a pain sometimes. I took and Alum Block along for usual use, then tried rubbing it on a bite on my face and it really did stop the itching. So, we both tried on other bites and sure enough it helped with these too.

Originally Posted by Kratos

Really? Mosquito bites? I may have to get one for that reason alone. They get terrible here.

**tsmba** · 07-15-2009, 06:52 AM

Never even thought of using it on skeeter bites, but I'll try it. I've heard of people using an alum block for deodorant, so its really an all-purpose (multi-purpose) toiletry.

**Blade II** · 07-15-2009, 07:02 AM

Yea, firm believer in the alum block as well. I use it all over my face to close up the pores and tone up. I bought the AOS alum block a while ago and it probably cost about $20. At the same time I use a scent free crystal deoderant that I bought for around $5. The only only ingredient in the pit stick is Alum. The AOS block does not include ingredients and I have not tried the pit stick on my face, maybe because I am stubborn. Any feedback on this? It the crystal pit stick a legit/cost effective substsitute?

**The National Razor** · 07-15-2009, 07:04 AM

That's it--I will be adding an alum block to my next WCS order

**Jethro1984** · 07-15-2009, 07:07 AM

Originally Posted by onotoman

We also found that rubbing an Alum Block on Mosquito bites takes out the itching and helps healing too.

In short a really useful item!

Sounds that way. I may get one for the skeeter bites alone. Living near the everglades and ocean, they get snippy around here.

**Steve M** · 07-15-2009, 03:37 PM

In my opinion the Alum bock is my most important product in my shaving Arsenal. I used to suffer from shaving bumps and no matter how much i spent on quality shaving soap, razors and aftershaves i was destined to always have shaving rash. In desperation i tried the block and i have not seen a ingrown hair or rash since. You have to use one for about a week to noticibly see the results but once you do there is no turning back. They cost peanuts and will last you years.

**The Knize** · 07-15-2009, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Blade II

Yea, firm believer in the alum block as well. I use it all over my face to close up the pores and tone up. I bought the AOS alum block a while ago and it probably cost about $20. At the same time I use a scent free crystal deoderant that I bought for around $5. The only only ingredient in the pit stick is Alum. The AOS block does not include ingredients and I have not tried the pit stick on my face, maybe because I am stubborn. Any feedback on this? It the crystal pit stick a legit/cost effective substsitute?

Heck, yeah, it sure is the way to go as far as I am concerned. How could it not be a legit/cost effective option? Whatever it is you are using as an alum block, it is just alum.

I am so happy to see this thread and the response. I am a huge fan of using an alum block. And, to me anyway, a styptic pencil is a very different thing with a different purpose. Alum might help with bleeding a bit, but that is really not what it is for at all. I end up using lots of stuff on my face through shaving with a straight, but I have been pretty much intuitively convinced that it is the alum that is really making my face nicer than it ever was before I started wet shaving, and for banishing the ingrown hairs I used to get long ago when first wet shaving with a DE and later with Trac II type items.

And Seraphim has my usage, which is the one that makes sense to me. I could never figure out how folks would end up with a white residue. I let it sit on my face while I brush my teeth, and get it off with a big splash of bay rum, usually either Superior 70 or Ogallala, maybe Domenica, or maybe a witch hazel of some sort, usually the genuine stuff, not the low/no alcohol kind, before putting some some kind of moisterizer type lotion of one kind or another, and taking another hot towel. I truly love the burn, too. Alum and BR or witch hazel, what could be a more comforting set of burns!

Healer, soother, remover of all irritation, smoother, tightner, antiseptic, astringent, I have read that it returns skin to the proper ph, an ancient proven effective medicinal agent--Om, shri guru dev, All hail the true guru that is the alum bar!

**tsmba** · 07-16-2009, 06:44 AM

I wouldn't shell out $20 for an alum block. I think I paid $5 or so for one from ClassicShaving. For me, its a must-have toiletry.

**The Seeker** · 07-16-2009, 07:43 AM

I have considered using my PitRok deodorant stick on the face but it's ammonium alum, whereas most alum blocks are potassium alum. Is anyone aware of the main difference between the two?

**dpmtherrien** · 07-16-2009, 08:20 AM

Try just getting a Thai deodorant stone at any health food store. They are good for bug bites, will last you a couple years or more, and only cost $5 or $6 bucks. Don't forget, they're also great for using on your arm pits, no B.O. at all. I've been using the Thai stone, not the same one though, for years. They take care of the body odor and don't leave a greasy mess on your skin or clothes. One more thing, if you happen to drop one on a hard floor and it shatters, keep the bigger pieces. At night just wet a couple of the bigger pieces and place them in your shoe's until morning. They'll take care of the foot odor in shoes as well as drying them out for you. Try it, it works.

regards,

Paul