Thread: New Appreciation for Arko

Arko is brilliant, I like the smell. The first stick, I melted into a shave mug, like Catrentshaving, it was ok, but the vendor did say to me to face lather with it, so that is what I did with the next one and that is where it shines. Pretty much all I use now, just goes to prove cheap isn't always nasty. BTW Raol, where did you get the container? Great idea.

I think it smells like toilet cakes the only reason I keep it around is that it performs AMAZINGLY... Can't they change the smell???

Grazor, The container is called “Twist up Shaving Stick�.
Here is the address. BTW I cut a piece of Cella and jammed it into one of the containers and now I can use the Cella as well as Arko for face lathering.

Twist-up Shaving Stick Containers, 2 oz

With regard to the Arko scent I quite like it as a matter of fact it makes a good vehicle air freshener.

Ah, I now know the two brands and types of soap that I mentioned before:

- Tcheon Fung Sing Bergamotto Neroli, cheap and probably the best soap I've ever tried, beats MWF for me. Lemony scent
- Monsavon Bol à Raser, great smell and lather, supposedly cheap as well, don't know the price. Can't describe the scent


Edit: Monsavon is as cheap as Arko. Unbelievable.

I bought a stick of Arko that came as a combo with an alum block back in April or May of last year, and also got a 3 pack of the containers off of eBay or Amazon (can't remember) like Raol. I saved the label and got some contact cement to adhere it to the outside of the container. I am still using this same stick this many months later. Granted, it's not my everyday soap, but it probably gets used every third or fourth shave.

SWMBO was a little put off by the fact that I need a new alum block (I also use my alum as my deodorant in combination with what's left of my aftershave on my hands from shaving) and was going to get the same combo again... I told her she shouldn't sweat it since for such a cheap price I'd have plenty and because the cost of the Arko was the cost of shipping of the alum by itself. The combo has free shipping.

She actually said that it was a good deal in the end.

I cannot tell you just how special of a place Arko has in my heart. It's just such a great soap and so inexpensive!!!

Originally Posted by Catrentshaving

Well, tonight I have a new apprecitaion for the Arko shave stick. I've used it a few times before and it's a great soap, but tonight I used it in the fashion that I believe it's meant to be used. I simply applied it to my wet beard and then used the brush to swirl and create the lather right on my face…WOW. I've been applying it to the brush and then whipping a lather in my scuttle but now realize I have not been doing this soap any justice, even though it's still been impressive using it this way. It performed even better than imagined…nice slick lather and great cushion.
Even better that I'm teaching my second son to shave and we experimented together and both think it's awesome. Top it off with Tabac as an aftershave and we're both beaming…my beaming is more pride in him than a great shave for me but a great shave none the less. Arko is a fantastic soap on the cheap…for those that haven't tried it don't be afraid.

I agree with you. Arko's soapy smell (which some say smells like a urinal cake) is much maligned, but you are probably going to use an aftershave.

I don't mind the scent of Arko, it just smells soapy to me. The performance is great though, it's one of only two soap sticks that I have (the other is Speick).

Another great shave stick is QED.

Originally Posted by kerryman71

What's it smell like? Someone here alluded to the fact that many don't like the smell and in its description at Bullgoose it states that the smell may be polarizing to some. Just curious.

John

To me it smells like a combination of Ivory Soap and lemon. I think it smells very fresh and as others have said, not very long lasting. If you are ordering from Turkey or a place like Tulumba, try the Duru cologne. It is very lemony too. I use it as an aftershave.

Shave on!

Originally Posted by Taborcarn

I don't mind the scent of Arko, it just smells soapy to me. The performance is great though, it's one of only two soap sticks that I have (the other is Speick).

You beat me to it. For me, Spieck is better than Arko.