Alum assistance - dropped & cracked :(

[Jaybyrd]

Problem:
I picked up this alum on a rope when I was in Spain last summer (made in France it said but no name) and have been using it very regularly. Well I dropped it in the sink and it broke apart BUT I have a decent chunk still on the rope that I would like to salvage, the issue is it’s very rough now.
Question:
Is there a way to smooth out, “fix or re-shape”, the alum? I tried searching on the forum but didn’t see anything come up. I really like the quality and rounded shape. It cost me about €10 so do I just replace it with a different alum block at this point? Found a similar one online but it’s like $25 plus shipping that’s seems steep.
Any other uses for this if I can’t smooth it out?

Thanks!

 

[Letsgoalready]

Belt sander and water!

 

[VerbaVolant]

Question:
Is there a way to smooth out, “fix or re-shape”, the alum?... Any other uses for this if I can’t smooth it out?

Thanks!

Nail file or emery board. Metal file, under water stream, then rinse the file really well.

 

[msam]

You could sand it down. Or just use the sides.

 

[Toothpick]

Rub some sand paper on it until it's smooth.

Or just toss it. I never found it useful

 

[Big Jim]

Just use it. It will work as is and tend to get smoother as it is used.

 

[StewB]

You might also try using it as a deodorant.

 

[Jaybyrd]

Thank you all for the ideas, appreciate it!
@Letsgoalready seems like a good and fast way but I don’t have a belt sander.
@VerbaVolant doable for me.
@msam I think I’ll dry sanding but the side have to be done too, there is a big chip at the end but also a bunch of small chips on the side/edges making it uncomfortable almost all over.
@Toothpick I am going to try some sand paper and if it doesn’t work then I’ll toss it.
@Big Jim I tried to use it initially after it broke up and it was rather uncomfortable.
@StewB good idea too never used it as deodorant!

I have some sandpaper so I’m going to attempt that. No belt sander but I do have a dremel so if the paper doesn’t work maybe I could form it with a dremel. Thanks for the ideas gents!

 

[Mr. Shavington]

Now you have two alum blocks. I’d say you’re ahead since you only paid for one.

 

[Jaybyrd]

That’s a

Now you have two alum blocks. I’d say you’re ahead since you only paid for one.

glass is half full concept!

 

[losing]

What type of place in spain were you in and got this mysterious alum made in france? Here in the USA and maybe other countries, things on ropes, mostly soaps, are used at certain places that dropping things on a floor is not a "safe" thing to do. At least your back home safely enjoying your alum...

 

[Jaybyrd]

What type of place in spain were you in and got this mysterious alum made in france? Here in the USA and maybe other countries, things on ropes, mostly soaps, are used at certain places that dropping things on a floor is not a "safe" thing to do. At least your back home safely enjoying your alum...

My family and I were walking by shops in Madrid and there was a “beauty” store that sold soaps and artisanal bath and body type products. I went looking for shaving supplies and they had shave soap and these blocks of alum on a rope. I believe it was this product shown below.
On a good note I was able to sand it down with the dremel and some sand paper and restrung it with paracord - I hang it to dry from my towel rack.
Thanks for the tips gang.

 

[AndyPanda]

Whenever I drop and break an alum block (eventually it happens to every one I've ever owned) I put the small pieces in a little container and just use the biggest piece - it'll smooth itself out really quickly just from using it.

I'll keep one of the small pieces handy to rub the tips of my fingers over before I pick up my razor or my brush - then I never have to worry about dropping and cracking my brush handle or bending my razor.

You can crush some small pieces to powder and dissolve in water in a little spray bottle and spray the alum water on your face (or underarms - works great as deodorant).