Thread: 444 Alum Block

The 444 Alum Block is a big block, it is made by the Portuguese company 444 who produce shaving needs at a low price. This Alum Block is no exception, at 3.95 Euro from The Vintage Scent it is a real bargain.

The 444 Alum Block does what an Alum Block should do; stop bleeding, close pores and sting of course. I have only used a Styptic Pencil before and the Block has some clear advantages. You can use it on your whole shave face and also it, unlike the pencil, does not dissolve. This block can probably serve me well for years to come.
Well what about the 444 Alum Block? It is a big block at 7.5x5x2.5 cm (3x2x1 inches) which has its advantages and disadvantages. A big block is clumsier than a smaller one, but on the other hand it covers a lot of real estate.
As an Alum Block it does the job fine, what one would expect an Alum Block would do. A good thing is that Alum Blocks gives you feedback on your shaving, where you need to improve technique it stings..and sometimes with a vengeance this way you know how your technique is.
One bad thing that I have noticed with the 444 Alum Block is that it has quite sharp edges that can be a little "hurtey" on a newly shaved face, perhaps one could sand the edges smooth?
But still at that price it is a great buy, great value for an essetial product, at 3.95 you can't go wrong.

About the seller
As stated before I ordered the Alum Block from The Vintage Scent, through the SRP member Leon. One can only say he is a nice gentleman, easy to talk to and easy to contact. I fist ordered a block that was defect due to water damage I suspect. But Leon was kind enough to offer me a new one free of charge and in perfect condition.

Pros
Price
Size of block (covers much of your face)
Does the job

Cons
Sharp edges
Size of block (can be a little clumsy)

Final Grade
4/5

Thanks for the review, Rawaz!
I've been using the 444 block for a while now and I like it a lot as well. Being that I've had the thing for a bit, I have to ease your mind saying that the edgy edges will become softer as you use it. The block doesn't disolve but water smoothes it. If you run it under cold water and rub the edges and the surfaces of the block theese will get considerabily smoother in a very short time.
Considering the size of the block... well... it will get smaller. Plus, it's a portuguese thing: we like value for money! Bargains!
Oh, by the way... have you tried the 444 after-shave gel? It's brilliant! And complements the block in the most perfect way... although it stinks! But it grows on you!... Leon sells these at his shop, as well.

Thanks for the complementary info and tips!
No I haven't tried it..I have a whole bunch of nivea products that I have to use before I buy something else, but the 444 aftershave balm will be on my list!
You Portuguese sure know what your doing I guess

Originally Posted by Rawaz

You Portuguese sure know what your doing I guess

Yes... we do! In a stinky and brute kind of way, sometimes...
No need to thank for the tips. I faced the same issues when I started using the 444 block and had to figure this out for myself.
One other tip is this: remember to dry the block after use (with a towel is fine); it seems to absorb a bit of water and it ends up hollowing the inside of the block... why? It seems that we, the portuguese, also like nonsensical stuff as well and natural hollowing alum blocks?...