Thread: Arko and MDC

So, I know I can't be the only one who feels like this.
I own MDC and I think that Arko will give me a lather that is just as good, and a shave just as good.
I personally love MDC, but I think Arko is just as good, so while MDC might be a lot more expensive, it is still not better than Arko to me.
as for the scents I also enjoy Arko, you can't go wrong with that classic original shave soap scent. MDC also has a great scent, (I own the Fougere)
So all in all the cheapest soap is just as good (to me) as the most expensive, I can't be the only one who feels like this can i?
I am curious to hear how you guys would compare MDC and Arko to each other, because I can honestly say that they are my 2 favorite soaps.

MDC is a soap that I load with swirls , then work up a lather on the face. It does take a few times to get the technique down when it comes to MDC.


Admittedly, I only tried an Arko shave stick one time. I did not care at all for the scent. It was bad enough that I wiped off the Arko lather, tossed it out & finished with Cella.

To be fair, maybe the Arko was bad due to age, as I bought it from a display case that looked like no one had opened it in years.

So, to me there is no comparison between the two.

Well, there is a lot of diversity on here for sure.
But I have to make a case for myself well Arko is cheap so it couldn't hurt to pick up a stick and try a stick eh? At least you won't get byers remorse buying something expensive you don't like.

Life, is short. Buy what you like and can afford.

If a tub of MDC last a year, it's about 21 cents per use.

I think you have potentially stirred up a hornet's nest with your Arko and MdC comparison. Personally, I am basically in the same boat as the op. I like both but it would take some convincing for me to buy another tub of MdC. You can get over a Kilo of Arko for 1/4 the price of a tub of Arko. I am pretty sure a Kilo of Arko would last me longer than a year of daily shaving. I don't find enough difference, if any, in the shaves I get from both to justify MdC for myself. Yes, I don't mind the scent of Arko either. I am sure the Op and I are in an extremely small minority here.

Bob

Well, a healthy discussion can't hurt as long as we keep it friendly. I think both soaps are great, and they both work so well for me. The point for me is really that the product range is so diverse these days and there is something that will work at every price point, it all boils down on what matters to you

Originally Posted by alla2465

Well, a healthy discussion can't hurt as long as we keep it friendly. I think both soaps are great, and they both work so well for me. The point for me is really that the product range is so diverse these days and there is something that will work at every price point, it all boils down on what matters to you

Truth be told I have found extremely few soaps at any price point that would not allow me a very satisfactory shave. Yes, the wet shaving community has a plethora of soaps and creams to choose from at the moment. Personally, a good shave matters to me and I hate to spend more to get the same/similar result.

Bob

I haven't tried MDC, but Arko stick is my favorite travel soap, hands down. Run the tip of the stick under some hot water for a few seconds, load a soaked brush from the stick and off you go to face lather. The lemony scent isn't bad at all this way. I tried rubbing the stick across the face and then face lathering that way, but the scent there was not so nice. Loading the brush directly from the stick seems to be the way. Really all you need on the road, my brush there being a Simpsons Classic 1 synth.

Bob is correct. Most soaps even basic ones will give you everything you need for a great shave.

So what do you get when you spend more? With some you get more of the performance ingredients which may or may not make a difference when the rubber meets the road and you get the "scent" and you get the name and the import status and a fancy container (maybe).

I've always said what makes a tier one soap a tier one is the scent and the cost of the ingredients to make the scent and the skill to make it.

So it's a personal choice no different really than buying a $60 strop as opposed to a $600 strop or a basic razor over a custom one.

Then you don't need to spend the money on MDC, it's as simple as that. Like most things here YMMV I myself think Arko smells like a urinal cake, just me, it works fine. Like most soaps, but if you like the ingredients and performance of top tier soaps and can afford it why not?. It's kinda like what do you drive? I bet you could still get down the road with a 500$ car too but why would you? This discussion s really about what your personal preferences are so really not a thing will be proved, I could lather with a 3$ brush too, but Shavemac knots cost more than that. And I use MDC Almost every day and. Got almost 2 yeas out of it, so I think the cost is even better than 21 cents a use, with it I need only a half dozen or so swirls.

But in its defense, Arko is about as cheap as it gets and sill get a decent lather. Tc