How to use Alum?

dawgvet · Post by **dawgvet** » Thu Jan 06, 2011 9:35 pm

I am interested in how to use Alum. Thanks to my education largely from the good folks at SMF, my nicks and cuts have greatly diminished but there are still a few sometimes. I've read of people using Alum after they shave to control small cuts and oozing but I don't know what to do with it. Any tips appreciated.
Thanks,
Jedidiah

Barbiere di Figaro · Post by **Barbiere di Figaro** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:03 am

Hello Jedidiah,

I think that most common, it is used after you have cleaned your face / showered and then on a still wet face ofcourse. That works for me and I don't see many other possibilities to use it.

Bye,

Eric

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:38 am

Jedidiah, I rarely use it, but when I was just learning how to shave with a straight razor I used alum every day, after shaving. It comes in a little bar or cube, and after shaving and rinsing the face, it is applied by holding the bar under a running tap in order to get it wet, then rubbing it all over the beard area in order to seal any minor weepers, cuts, and nicks, and also to generally soothe any irritation.

I've never thought of needing alum on my face after taking a shower, as suggested. I suppose it's possible there are more than one use for it.

Barbiere di Figaro · Post by **Barbiere di Figaro** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:51 am

Hi Gary,

I meant to say, if you take a shower after you shave, you can apply the alum after you have taken the shower. As your face is still wet, and could feel a little "harsh" because of the shaving, the alum might as well be applied after you have taken a shower, but ofcourse only after a shave.

Bye,

Eric

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 7:16 am

Good advice. Makes a lot of sense, Eric. Now I understand.

jww · Post by **jww** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:08 pm

Apply after you have rinsed any outstanding lather from your face and neck, but before you apply any after-shave products. Let it sit for a bit while you ---- clean up the bathroom vanity --- then rinse with as cold a water as you can get. Pat dry and apply whatever you use post-shave.

Blue As A Jewel · Post by **Blue As A Jewel** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 1:45 pm

jww wrote:Apply after you have rinsed any outstanding lather from your face and neck, but before you apply any after-shave products. Let it sit for a bit while you ---- clean up the bathroom vanity --- then rinse with as cold a water as you can get. Pat dry and apply whatever you use post-shave.

+1 - I use it everyday

diggity · Post by **diggity** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 5:23 pm

So, I guess my question would be, where do you store the wet alum to allow it to dry? I have a Geo Trumper alum block, but it just seems like more of a hassle than anything else.

jww · Post by **jww** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:53 pm

I have a tiny wicker basket which came with my very first alum block from Em's Place -- that is where I dry my bloks. However, now, I also have a Razor Rock -- which conveniently dries standing on is base in my cabinet.

The object here is to have an open container to store the alum in and it will dry in a short while.

diggity · Post by **diggity** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 8:14 pm

Got it! Thanks! I might have to try this. As long as it doesn't get "mushy" on me, I am cool with it.

rsp1202 · Post by **rsp1202** » Fri Jan 07, 2011 9:21 pm

Nathan, I've been using the Razor Rock for a few months and usually cap it before it's had a chance to dry completely. It hasn't yet gone mushy. Of course I wouldn't recommend that, but you guys who have the nominal cabinet, etc., for storage shouldn't have anything to worry about.

jww · Post by **jww** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 7:29 am

The Razor Rock dries in an hour or so at most --- I never cap it unless I am traveling, as water can tend to collect in the base -- although there is a drain hole in the centre of it -- which can sometimes make for a bit of a mess with alum dried onto the counter or shelf where you store it. Even with a wicker basket, there will be some dried alum under it -- easy to clean with a damp towel.

RazoRock · Post by **RazoRock** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 7:33 am

rsp1202 wrote:Nathan, I've been using the Razor Rock for a few months and usually cap it before it's had a chance to dry completely. It hasn't yet gone mushy. Of course I wouldn't recommend that, but you guys who have the nominal cabinet, etc., for storage shouldn't have anything to worry about.

Hi Guys,

I recommend either drying your RazoRock with a towel or letting it air dry before you cap it, this way you can extend the life of it. Alum will slowly dissolve in a moist environment.

-joseph

rsp1202 · Post by **rsp1202** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 10:11 am

Joseph, of course. I do dry it the best I can before capping. Nifty product, and I apologize for the misspelling.

brothers · Post by **brothers** » Sat Jan 08, 2011 9:48 pm

When I use it, I have a spot in a little soap tray where I put the little cake and it air dries in no time. I would be checking out the Razor Rock, but I bought several alum blocks a couple of years ago, and they're nowhere near being used up yet.

jww · Post by **jww** » Sun Jan 09, 2011 7:17 am

I like the razor rock for it's travel-ability. Otherwise, I have pretty much found alum to be alum regardless of the manufacturer.