Monster Block Alum

I'm a big fan of alum. If any of you guys just starting out haven't tried one yet you don't know what you're missing. First of all Alum will help close up the pores, it also closes up any little nick you may get while shaving. I like to finish my shave by applying the alum, let it sit for about a minute and splash cold water on my face. It really works wonders. Another benefit of using alum is that if you like to use aftershaves with alcohol, using alum first will numb out any sting from the splash. I love my alcohol splashes so its a huge plus for me. my favorite splash is Dominica Bay Rum I recommend that one too

Any type of alum block will work well. I've only used two brands the first was a shavex. It worked pretty good. The only thing I didn't like about it was that it had dirt in it. It was probably taken for a dirty part of the rock. It also fell apart within 2 months of use.

A few weeks ago I found this one from one of the BB vendors. It's not expensive and it weights about 6.20 OZ It looks solid like a piece of glass you can see through it. Its got bubbles in it so its milky but it doesn't seem to have any dirt in it like the other brand. I think you get a very good size block of alum for the price. I think this one should last 6 months to a year if not more. I've only had if for a few weeks and it looks brand new.



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In forty years of wet shaving I have yet to use Alum. I suppose after that length of time I can't need it or I would have sought it out and used it . But having said that I'm fascinated by the comments left regarding the use of it. Recently I have read possible health scares linked with Alum. I'm not one for worrying about " health scares ' but it would not be natural not to wonder about such things. Most decisions regarding health can be made on info. gathered via the media and personal experiences and research, but in the case of Alum I'm pretty much in the dark. What is the consensus of the " Nookies '

I do not know anything about health scares with Alum but, it looks like if you dropped that block on your toe, it would do some damage.

I've been hearing about this monster alum more and more recently. What U.S. vendor carries it?

(03-12-2012, 06:49 PM)Williams Warrior Wrote: I've been hearing about this monster alum more and more recently. What U.S. vendor carries it?

I know David at Razor Blades and More used to carry it. You could try there first.

Alum is not for everyone. I will use it occasionally to close weepers but that's about it. If I use it all over my face after a shave and leave it on for a minute or more, it dries out my skin and makes it feel uncomfortable. Others, however, swear by it so once again we have the YMMV acronym popping up.

(03-12-2012, 08:16 PM)freddy Wrote: Alum is not for everyone. I will use it occasionally to close weepers but that's about it. If I use it all over my face after a shave and leave it on for a minute or more, it dries out my skin and makes it feel uncomfortable. Others, however, swear by it so once again we have the YMMV acronym popping up.

It dries out my face as well Freddy. To each his own I guess.

I don't feel it dries my face, I don't know how you guys use it but I simply apply it, leave it on for about 30 seconds, rinse with cold water, apply my splash, then balm.

I don't feel it dries my face, I don't know how you guys use it but I simply apply it, leave it on for about 30 seconds, rinse with cold water, apply my splash, then balm.

I have used alum for years instead of a deodorant. It is awesome for that.