Overrated! or Things that never worked for you that others deem necessary.

Well, my inaugural post might as well be polarizing but I have to be honest. I think Simspon brushes are overrated. Particularly their Best grade of hair, which I have personally found to be one of the least pleasant that I've tried. But I'm partial to soft tips and can't tolerate much scratchiness.

Can't argue with that. I still have a few, but I don't use them. I found others much nicer.

Agreed. I have a Duke 2 in best, and I never use it. It's scritchy and difficult to build a good lather with.

I purchased a block of alum last year and it appears I am allegoric to it. My entire neck up to and over my jaw bone looked like I had measles. Stopped using it and never had the problem again

I purchased a block of alum last year and it appears I am allegoric to it. My entire neck up to and over my jaw bone looked like I had measles. Stopped using it and never had the problem again

That's more common than people realize. Depending on whether you have the calcium or the potassium-aluminum salt it can be quite irritating. I know people smear it over their face, but it's really a styptic. You don't actually need it if you aren't bleeding. The K-Al salt does cause vasoconstriction which helps stop bleeding and closes up small injuries. I think that's what people who can tolerate it use it for. A cool compress will do the same if you can't use it, but it takes about 10-15 minutes.

I purchased a block of alum last year and it appears I am allegoric to it. My entire neck up to and over my jaw bone looked like I had measles. Stopped using it and never had the problem again

That's more common than people realize. Depending on whether you have the calcium or the potassium-aluminum salt it can be quite irritating. I know people smear it over their face, but it's really a styptic. You don't actually need it if you aren't bleeding. The K-Al salt does cause vasoconstriction which helps stop bleeding and closes up small injuries. I think that's what people who can tolerate it use it for. A cool compress will do the same if you can't use it, but it takes about 10-15 minutes.

Thats the oy time I use alum anymire...when. get a nick and I cant see it to use the styptic pen, i just hold the alum block in the geberal area with a little bitbof pressure...

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I agree, Chris. I find it incredibly drying and quite unpleasant to just rub all over my face after a shave. Of course, everyone is different and even skin type (normal vs. dry vs. oily), perhaps, plays a part.

I normally don't use alum, but when I do is Osma.  Not all alum are created equal :-)

I normally don't use alum, but when I do is Osma. Not all alum is created equal :-)

I think you are right about that. I have Osma on hand as well if I need it.

I have osma as well, but just use it for grip if I'm using something slippery like a Semouge handle.