I got a couple sticks of Arko primarily for using with my Parker travel razor when I'm on the road, but I've started using it semi-regularly when I'm really pressed for time and need that extra minute where I don't have to load the brush on my soap pucks, and I'm surprised how nice of a shave it is, especially for the price. I just wet my face and apply the stick and then take the brush to the face and it seems to build a nice lather just fine and have enough for a couple good passes. Definitely worth having some of this stuff, I'd say, if anything for the travel bag since it's so handy.