Arko smell

[Doc226]

I have a stick of Arko that had not seen use for a while until today. I like the lather and smell but the smell is familiar but can't place it. Does anyone have an idea what the smell is or what else smells like it.

[Songwind]

It smells like citronella to me. A bit lemony, but not quite.

[jkh]

Here we go, again :lol: Urinal cake or lemon industrial cleaner

[Doc226]

It smells like citronella to me. A bit lemony, but not quite.
I agree not quite.

Here we go, again :lol: Urinal cake or lemon industrial cleaner
Difinately not urinal cake smell to me, not that I go around smelling those.

[OkieStubble]

Clean laundry right out of the dryer.

[RichGem]

Here we go, again :lol: Urinal cake or lemon industrial cleaner

This

[LeftyT]

I like the smell. I'd say lemon pez....

[Wolfman1]

Ivory soap with a hint of lemon.

[Island Dreamer]

Does it smell as bad as Williams?

[RichGem]

Does it smell as bad as Williams?

Worse. But, it calms down ... eventually.

[Doc226]

I'll rock the veg with Arko tomorrow.

[RichGem]

I'll rock the veg with Arko tomorrow.

Good luck with that. :001_unsur

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jUC4wFJIC9w/STpF-OE8BkI/AAAAAAAACdQ/0W7exAUJ6sI/s400/2658_clip_art_picture_of_a_skunk_wearing_a_gas_mas k_while_spraying_stinky_odors_into_the_air.jpg

[DC_MPA]

I am not stereotyping or insinuating a slanderous rude remark by saying this (because I like the scent of Arko). It smells like a Spanish/Mexican supermarket to me.

[Evbo]

Here we go, again :lol: Urinal cake or lemon industrial cleaner
This
Does it smell as bad as Williams?
Worse. But, it calms down ... eventually.I can't get myself to the "eventually" part. The smell makes me nauseous -- can't bring myself to use it.

[RichGem]

I can't get myself to the "eventually" part. The smell makes me nauseous -- can't bring myself to use it.

I keep mine in the shave equivalent of a haz-mat container. :lol: ... actually a large plastic medicine bottle with a secure top. And you're right, the initial newly-unwrapped scent is tremendously overpowering.

[bkflyfisher]

I like the smell. I'd say lemon pez....

Here we go, again :lol: Urinal cake or lemon industrial cleaner
+1 all of the above except it's lemon/grape pez :laugh:

[Pkrankow]

Unwrap it, stick it in the garage for about 3 months. All better.

Lemongrass?

Phil

[BrookR1]

I get lime flavored Jolly Rancher.

[cromio]

Urinal cake. I keep mine unwraped near a open window for a few days now since i love it's performance, not its smell

[Island Dreamer]

So you Arko folks like rubbing urinal cakes on your face because they perform well? Is there nothing else out there that performs well and does not have an overpowering urinal cake odor (or whatever overpowering odor it is)?

You haven't sold me. :lol:

[Evbo]

Is there nothing else out there that performs well and does not have an overpowering urinal cake odor (or whatever overpowering odor it is)?

There's PLENTY of other stuff out there that both performs well & smells great. That's why I don't use Arko!

[Songwind]

I bought a stick because cheap + train wreck = comedy gold. I agree the scent when first unwrapped is quite.. insistent. But it settled down to a sort of basic "cheap lemon scented stuff" smell pretty quick for me. Maybe being frozen by the Minnesota winter did the trick.

And the lather is great, so now I'm a convert.

[jonty]

i think lemon bathroom cleaner i love it its a top class soap at a brilliant price

[Doc226]

Good luck with that. :001_unsur

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jUC4wFJIC9w/STpF-OE8BkI/AAAAAAAACdQ/0W7exAUJ6sI/s400/2658_clip_art_picture_of_a_skunk_wearing_a_gas_mas k_while_spraying_stinky_odors_into_the_air.jpg
Thank you


So you Arko folks like rubbing urinal cakes on your face because they perform well? Is there nothing else out there that performs well and does not have an overpowering urinal cake odor (or whatever overpowering odor it is)?

You haven't sold me. :lol:
I like the smell, performs great

[demaro]

Lemon pledge , lemon pez , and ivory laundry detergent all rolled up in one ..

[Island Dreamer]

So it's like Williams but worse. A lot worse. Williams also performs brilliantly but I won't go near it any longer.

[jwcarlson]

There's PLENTY of other stuff out there that both performs well & smells great. That's why I don't use Arko!

You completely ignore the two best attributes of Arko, though!
1) Price.
1') Taste.

Island Dreamer... Arko smells nothing like Williams. Anyone who says it does needs to get their sniffer checked.

[DC_MPA]

Smells nothing like Williams. Williams smells like a citronella candle to me.

[LeftyT]

It smells much different than William's.
If I had to choose between my Proraso and my Arko, I'd likely just challenge the idiot who was trying to make me decide between my two favourites to a Zoolander style walk-off. They're two products I really can't see going without, and I don't plan on it. If they stopped making them, I'd stock up on both.

[Island Dreamer]

There are many posts on B&B describing it as Williams smelling. It would be a good thing if it didn't. Still, I've got so many other products to use, this won't find its way into my cabinet any time soon.

[salazch12]

It smelled like a really clean public bathroom when I first used it. My wife said it smelled like lemon pledge when she first smelled it. I almost tossed it, but I'm glad I didn't. It lathers better than my AoS lemon and as well as my creams. I actually like the scent now.

[Gamma]

I think urinal cakes smell better than Arko. The performance is adequate - the price is excellent - and the wrapper is awesome.
But the fragrance is awful, and it doesn't mellow out - it takes over, and wipes out everything in its path.
Id try the 'leave it in the garage' thing but my garage smells too good to be ruining it with a 1.00 stick of soap.

[michiganlover]

I think the hatred for the scent of Arko is overstated. It simply smells like lemon soap to me. A chemical synthetic lemon smell, but not as offensive (to me) as most claim it to be. It's not quite the heavy (and repulsive) citronella scent of Williams.

[OldGreyGuy]

I think the hatred for the scent of Arko is overstated. It simply smells like lemon soap to me.

I'm going to have to get me some one of these days.

But not for the taste. :drool:

[RevSmoke]

I don't get the bad smell comments. I like the smell. Is it strong? Yes! It is like a bar of Ivory on steroids. If I'd say anything, I'd say it smells like it might clean well.

[_JP_]

I think urinal cakes smell better than Arko.

Honestly! The places some people stick there noses!

[engelmann]

Love the arko smell. Does sort of take over my bathroom, but all that means is that days I use something else, I'm reminded of the face-lather that might have been...

[sulkhogan]

Seriously guys, just air the stuff out :001_rolle

[dfollett_98]

I actually like the smell of Arko. To me it smells like a lightly lemon scented soap. I don't get the urinal cake smell comparison at all. Bestarkin, one of our members from Turkey, has said a lot of soap from Turkey has this scent as do the Turkish barber shops.

As a qualifier to the above, I must also proudly admit that The Veg has chosen me. :001_tt2:

Enjoy your shaves.

Don

[Topgumby]

Arko has the slightly acidic, citrus scent of jealousy and envy. This is why it is so strong when the unused stick is first opened. The karma of other, more expensive shaving soaps is drawn spitefully towards the Arko, and the resulting lemony blast isn't really lemon at all - it's sour grapes.

Later, as the stick performs as it does, providing copious lather and fine shaves, the cosmic vibes of the other jealous products shuffle off in sullen defeat or stomp out in a huff, leaving only the clean, pleasant smell of soapy shaving goodness. The Arko guy on the label isn't smiling at you. He's smirking, 'cause he knows that the stick he's wrapped around is going to kick stubble butt and take BBS names at a low, low price.

Open a new stick, and the dance begins again.

Arko, the little lightning rod of shaving envy in your den. Gotta love that stuff.

[WhiteKnight]

Those urinal cake comments remind me of SWMBO telling me yesterday that my Alt Innsbruck smells like toilet cleaning agent. It must be the citronella oil. Arko has a similar citronella scent.

SWMBO is ruthless in her comments. She also describes Arlington as stinky hotel soap and Knize 10 as pure alcohol (at least its opening notes). Go figure...

[Doc226]

Honestly! The places some people stick there noses!
My thoughts exactly


Those urinal cake comments remind me of SWMBO telling me yesterday that my Alt Innsbruck smells like toilet cleaning agent. It must be the citronella oil. Arko has a similar citronella scent.

SWMBO is ruthless in her comments. She also describes Arlington as stinky hotel soap and Knize 10 as pure alcohol (at least its opening notes). Go figure...
Lisen to her, her happiness is your happiness.

[RichGem]

Arko has the slightly acidic, citrus scent of jealousy and envy. This is why it is so strong when the unused stick is first opened. The karma of other, more expensive shaving soaps is drawn spitefully towards the Arko, and the resulting lemony blast isn't really lemon at all - it's sour grapes.

Later, as the stick performs as it does, providing copious lather and fine shaves, the cosmic vibes of the other jealous products shuffle off in sullen defeat or stomp out in a huff, leaving only the clean, pleasant smell of soapy shaving goodness. The Arko guy on the label isn't smiling at you. He's smirking, 'cause he knows that the stick he's wrapped around is going to kick stubble butt and take BBS names at a low, low price.

Open a new stick, and the dance begins again.

Arko, the little lightning rod of shaving envy in your den. Gotta love that stuff.

Classic Gumby. ^

[jwcarlson]

Those urinal cake comments remind me of SWMBO telling me yesterday that my Alt Innsbruck smells like toilet cleaning agent. It must be the citronella oil. Arko has a similar citronella scent.

SWMBO is ruthless in her comments. She also describes Arlington as stinky hotel soap and Knize 10 as pure alcohol (at least its opening notes). Go figure...

0 citronella scent from Arko.

[OkieStubble]

Classic Gumby. ^


He does have a way.

[Grumpy_Bottom]

The other day I used Arko for the first time after a 2 day airing out period, and found the smell on my face to be much more subdued than the smell of the stick (to wit I was tremendously thankful). The lather is outrageous, the smell is pleasantly tolerable though I wouldn't say it's great or my favorite by any means. I think finishing it off with Citrus Musk was probably not my best idea ever, but we live and learn.

[daccpa]

It's definitely Lemon Pledge.

[jdrum3]

Arko has the slightly acidic, citrus scent of jealousy and envy. This is why it is so strong when the unused stick is first opened. The karma of other, more expensive shaving soaps is drawn spitefully towards the Arko, and the resulting lemony blast isn't really lemon at all - it's sour grapes.

Later, as the stick performs as it does, providing copious lather and fine shaves, the cosmic vibes of the other jealous products shuffle off in sullen defeat or stomp out in a huff, leaving only the clean, pleasant smell of soapy shaving goodness. The Arko guy on the label isn't smiling at you. He's smirking, 'cause he knows that the stick he's wrapped around is going to kick stubble butt and take BBS names at a low, low price.

Open a new stick, and the dance begins again.

Arko, the little lightning rod of shaving envy in your den. Gotta love that stuff.

Seriously, "Arko Scent" should be a sticky and this should be the description! Search also for Gumby and the Veg

[Songwind]

Arko has the slightly acidic, citrus scent of jealousy and envy. This is why it is so strong when the unused stick is first opened. The karma of other, more expensive shaving soaps is drawn spitefully towards the Arko, and the resulting lemony blast isn't really lemon at all - it's sour grapes.

Later, as the stick performs as it does, providing copious lather and fine shaves, the cosmic vibes of the other jealous products shuffle off in sullen defeat or stomp out in a huff, leaving only the clean, pleasant smell of soapy shaving goodness. The Arko guy on the label isn't smiling at you. He's smirking, 'cause he knows that the stick he's wrapped around is going to kick stubble butt and take BBS names at a low, low price.

Open a new stick, and the dance begins again.

Arko, the little lightning rod of shaving envy in your den. Gotta love that stuff.

Wow, very poetic. I vote Topgumby for Arko Poet Laureate.

[jamesspo]

This comes down to the fact that everyone has a different schnoz. It's more YMMV than any other aspect of shavingdom. I knew a person once that not only didn't mind the smell of skunk, but actually *loved* it and seeked it out. I kid you not. To me, Arko is the smell of clean. I keep a stick at my desk and on my bed stand (in ziplock bags so they don't loose their lemony, refreshing goodness), so I can take a whif at will. :001_wub: It relaxes me (which I theorize is due to the Linalool...a plant extract that is know to have this affect). And of course, it's a got a nice sweet taste!

Edit: Oh, and its also good at overcoming the scent of dead badgers!

[California Cajun]

Clean laundry right out of the dryer.

I agree. Nice and fresh.

[attime6]

Like someone squeezed a lemon on top of a bar of soap.

[Daiku]

I like it, and it must be due to some flaw in my DNA. I recently asked my sister to identify the Arko scent, and she said "I dunno. But I like it, and I'm taking this to shave my legs with. You have more, right?" :001_rolle

[Chefbaze]

Pisssss Biscuit :scared:

[vagueout]

I love the stuff including it's scent.

[Doc226]

Pisssss Biscuit :scared:
Never smelled one


I love the stuff including it's scent.

Me too

[kjparker]

I've been using nothing else for the last week, and I love it! Slightly lemony, soapy smell. Nothing offensive. Always a great performer. This is a stick I've had open for months sitting in my drawer, so I reckon it's mellowed somewhat, but I actually like the scent, even when fresh.

As always YMMV.

[lt114]

My wife says dog urine.

[Topgumby]

Wow, very poetic. I vote Topgumby for Arko Poet Laureate.

Arko poetry?

Surely, you can't be serious. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/258238-Walt-Whitman-on-Arko)

[RichGem]

Arko poetry?

Surely, you can't be serious. (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/258238-Walt-Whitman-on-Arko)

Stop calling me, "Shirley!" :taz:

[DougieB]

It smells like the foyer in the local Goodwill Stores. I sh*t you not. I have said it over and over again on here.

[Rschan]

It's more YMMV than any other aspect of shavingdom. To me, Arko is the smell of clean.

+1 It gives a refreshing feeling in the morning.

[Pkrankow]

I get citronella off a fresh Williams, but not off Arko. The smell or both after airing 3 months in the garage is much more pleasant, and they are much more similar. William smells sorta like Ivory soap (but doesn't lather as well as Ivory) and has a note that is still citronella. Arko is more sweet lemon.

The two scents are related, but not the same.

Williams got relegated to shower duty, and will not be re-purchased, not even as a vintage (well, maybe for $2, tops, I can always B/S/T it here if I still don't like it)

Arko is sitting waiting its turn, undecided if it is getting into my selection of keepers. It has good chances as it is cheap, performs well, and aired out smells slightly better than Palmolive. Palmolive fresh wins hands down over Arko fresh though.

Phil

[jwcarlson]

I get citronella off a fresh Williams, but not off Arko. The smell or both after airing 3 months in the garage is much more pleasant, and they are much more similar. William smells sorta like Ivory soap (but doesn't lather as well as Ivory) and has a note that is still citronella. Arko is more sweet lemon.

The two scents are related, but not the same.

Williams got relegated to shower duty, and will not be re-purchased, not even as a vintage (well, maybe for $2, tops, I can always B/S/T it here if I still don't like it)

Arko is sitting waiting its turn, undecided if it is getting into my selection of keepers. It has good chances as it is cheap, performs well, and aired out smells slightly better than Palmolive. Palmolive fresh wins hands down over Arko fresh though.

Phil

How does Arko taste compared to Palmolive?

[InHotWater]

In the summer months, you can follow up an Arko shave with some Royall Lyme AS, it makes a good chaser.:wink2:

[linguist]

it smells like the snuff: Freiburg & Treyer / Morlaix

[Chevyguy]

So you Arko folks like rubbing urinal cakes on your face because they perform well? Is there nothing else out there that performs well and does not have an overpowering urinal cake odor (or whatever overpowering odor it is)?

You haven't sold me. :lol:

It isn't that bad, just leave it out in the open air and it really mellows out. Arko is good stuff.

Clayton

[He-Ben]

It reminds me of Fruity Pebbles :001_tongu

[MeanGene]

I bought a 12 pack of it for my first Arko experience. Great lather and good shave. For me, I'm in the urinal puck crowd. Didn't want to be, thought my nose would be different, but nope, all urinal puck, all the time. The scent stayed on me like fly on stink too. Now, with all that said, I will try several more times to see if I become accustomed to it as I've done with Tabac. It was quite a unique shaving experience. I may taste it at another time, for all the Arkotasters out there.

[cryhavoc]

I still say Arko smells like Lemon Pez

[Doc226]

I bought a 12 pack of it for my first Arko experience. Great lather and good shave. For me, I'm in the urinal puck crowd. Didn't want to be, thought my nose would be different, but nope, all urinal puck, all the time. The scent stayed on me like fly on stink too. Now, with all that said, I will try several more times to see if I become accustomed to it as I've done with Tabac. It was quite a unique shaving experience. I may taste it at another time, for all the Arkotasters out there.
So, what did you do with them.

[Doodi1]

Guys, just moosh it down in to a small cereal bowl and let it air out for a week. iit turns into a very pleasant lemony smell that i actually look forward to when I shave with it. Just an awesome soap to shave with.

[Pkrankow]

How does Arko taste compared to Palmolive?

Haven't tasted any, I wear a goatee.

Phil

[Taylor of Bank Street]

Lemon pledge , lemon pez , and ivory laundry detergent all rolled up in one ..


I think the hatred for the scent of Arko is overstated. It simply smells like lemon soap to me. A chemical synthetic lemon smell, but not as offensive (to me) as most claim it to be.


I don't get the bad smell comments. I like the smell. Is it strong? Yes! It is like a bar of Ivory on steroids.

What they said...

[vferdman]

I just shaved with Arko for the first time yesterday. The shave was totally unplanned. I've beeb working on my technique (still a newb) and really got my face irritated, so decided to skip shaving yesterday. I thought I'll just face lather with Arko and Wee Scot to see what the deal is. I've had the Arko stick airing for a few days in the bathroom. Do not like the smell out of the box. Real strong disinfectant-type cleaner smell with a bit of Ivory soap mixed in. Not a good combo for me at all. Not so bad as to override my curiosity about the shaving properties of it. The lather was so amazing that I couldn't help but load a used (one time) Derby blade into my flare tip SS (fastest blade load with wet hands) and give my un-prepped face a shave. The only prep was a splash of hot water and lather with Arko and Wee Scot and wait a minute or two while fiddled with the razor and the blade. As I said, I was not going to shave, otherwise the blade and razor would have been ready. Anyway, I got a DFS without much effort. I've been keeping my soap constant until then at Proraso white tub, which is a great product and smells and feels really nice. I am pretty sure Arko blows Proraso white tub out of the water on performance. The smell, however... I used an alum afterwards, but even then the smell stayed on me. My wife is not crazy about it either, but for such an amazing lather I am willing to try the airing out trick some more. I now unwrapped the whole stick and put it up in th ebathroom with the window open. We'll see how it mellows out. I hope it does, because it really gave one of the best shaves I've had. I wonder if it can be somehow augmented with essential oils or some such to smell better or at least less... The smell lacks any kind of natural odor that I am aware of and that automatically turns me off to it. It just brings up noxious toxic cleaning products of yesteryear. Urinal puck is a bit of an exaggeration, but I can totally see how that metaphor can come up. It's in the same key as the cleaning/disinfectant category. A shame, really. If the smell of this soap was more agreeable to more people they could charge a bit more for it, I am sure. I would pay a small premium for this product if it came in a better fragrance.

[MeanGene]

So, what did you do with them.

Like a prized trophy, they are sitting on my countertop, almost encroaching on SWMBO's side of the bathroom. Almost. I haven't passed judgement either way, possibly some will end up on BST or PIFed.

[PavlovsDog]

It absolutely reeks of pure putridness. The stench is just too stenchy.

[Heespharm]

used arko today but cut it with keh lime kmf... great shave.. i was invinsible today

[Doc226]

What is it with people tasting soaps?

[Debrushman]

It smells like this flowering plant........ http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carrion_flower&useformat=desktop

[Topgumby]

What is it with people tasting soaps?


It's like Satchmo said..."If you have to ask, you'll never know".

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/Razors/105_2110.jpg

[cryhavoc]

It's like Satchmo said..."If you have to ask, you'll never know".

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/Razors/105_2110.jpg

The Breakfast of Champions!

[Topgumby]

I'm a nightshaver, so it's more like dinner.

[Theprofessor]

The Breakfast of Champions!
+1

[jwcarlson]

It's like Satchmo said..."If you have to ask, you'll never know".

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/Razors/105_2110.jpg

"Arko... part of this complete balanced breakfast. Er... dinner."