Which brand of Alum block should I buy?

Hey all,

2 weeks into DE shaving now and looking at getting an Alum block. However I'm just wondering does the brand matter at all when getting one.

What does anyone know about e-Shave ??

I looked at the e-Shave site and I think its a little overpriced. I'm not sure if the brand really matters, I am inclined to say it doesn't and that they are all the same. I bought my block from Momma Bearshttp://mamabearssoaps.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=21 for half the price and picked up some nice soaps as well.

For alum, it doesn't matter. Some brands have a prettier box, but that's about it. As one of my exes used to say: "Same sh*t, different smell". Except alum doesn't have a scent, so you're good.

Do what I did. Go into an ethnic store aka Indian store and ask if they sell Alum Block. If they answer yes then ask how much. If they reply $1 buy it.

David

david in boston said:

do what i did. Go into an ethnic store aka indian store and ask if they sell alum block. If they answer yes then ask how much. If they reply $1 buy it.

David

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+1, although in my case the price was on the block.

i get for about 69 cents a pound at my local Asian food store, it only comes in large chunks but it gets the job done

i've noticed a difference between the 2 different Alum Blocs i have

the more expensive one ( about £10 for 100grams ) is a better quality, smoother and looks more solid if that makes sense
the cheaper one ( half that price ) is a little rougher on the surface and the crystals don't look that compact inside
BUT
they both work the same

Why do ethnic stores usually carry it? The Asian store near me always has a lot of it.

deodorant

classic shaving has a good price on a really large alum bloc that comes in a case.

otherwise, brand does not matter...just don't overpay for the AOS

Hando said:

i've noticed a difference between the 2 different Alum Blocs i have

the more expensive one ( about £10 for 100grams ) is a better quality, smoother and looks more solid if that makes sense
the cheaper one ( half that price ) is a little rougher on the surface and the crystals don't look that compact inside
BUT
they both work the same

Click to expand...

Exactly my experience as well. Ordered a $15 TOBS alum block and the vendor threw in a big no-name block for free...never opened the TOBS alum and the free one has been doing it's job for over a year now (though it does look a little less 'dense' if that makes sense).

mretzloff said:

Why do ethnic stores usually carry it? The Asian store near me always has a lot of it.

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I can only speak for Indian stores because that's where I find things. It's because traditional wetshaving remains so popular. At the same time, it hasn't been transformed into some kind of art of leisure (and I say this as one who likes nice soaps, etc.)--it's still very much a conventional part of everyday life. So you can buy good creams, blades, etc. for reasonable prices (although you typically don't find higher end brushes, triple-milled soaps, etc). And Alum blocks are part of that.