Arko history?

**Legion** · 03-06-2012, 10:59 PM

Can anyone tell me about the history of Arko soap? I've decided that it is my favourite soap packaging. The little smiling man cheers me up, and the font is so 50's. I would love it if that is the same packaging they have been using for 60 years... but I can find no info on the product, other than it is made in Turkey.

Does anyone know when this product first came on the market? Or better yet, are there any photos of vintage Arko?

**Topgumby** · 03-06-2012, 11:51 PM

Well, Evyap, the parent company for the brand, started out in 1927. The Arko guy looks like he came out of the mid fifties to mid sixties....just a guess. Evyap says that they ran TV commercials for Arko in the 70's. I did see some second source ad copy claiming it was a fifties vintage product, but who knows, they could be guessing like I am.

I sent your question along to Evyap via their website. If they reply, I'll post it here.

**Legion** · 03-07-2012, 12:25 AM

Thanks very much, mate.

**redrako** · 03-07-2012, 03:50 AM

He looks like the grandson of the lathered man on the Cella Brick.

Seriously, it would be interesting to learn some actual history of these products and the companies/people that made them.

**jwcarlson** · 03-07-2012, 01:44 PM

The only history that matters is that it's freaking awesome. :)

I'll be interested to hear what information, if any, they provide.

**salazch12** · 03-07-2012, 01:59 PM

Wikipedia has nothing. Not surprised.

**turtle** · 03-07-2012, 02:10 PM

I am always sad when I have to remove the paper below the little Arko man :(

**mharris127** · 03-07-2012, 06:51 PM

I do think the packaging is sort of neat. The soap itself is even better.

**LeftyT** · 03-07-2012, 07:06 PM

I love both! Go Arko!!!

**Mike H** · 03-08-2012, 05:31 AM

I am starting to like the smell, I have used it three days in a row now. I think that's a record for me.

Found this - http://www.evyap.com.tr/en/kurumsal/tarihce.asp

**Chefbaze** · 03-08-2012, 06:05 AM

Arko was recently reccomended to me by rossvtaylor (b&b member) when I mentioned how happy I was that after having tried almost 20 different soaps and creams in my first 2 months of wetshaving, I gave away or sold most of them and finally settled on 4 that work for me...and declared my ssad and scad over!
There were not any shave sticks on my list of soaps tried...naturally I went straight to pasteur phamacy and picked up a stick of Arko and La Toja...
I can tell you that I am sincerely afraid to put this soap on my face! Something about the smell leads me to believe I'm going to be one burning man, with red rosy cheeks....I can smell this stuff from the other room, and I barely opened the package...

**salazch12** · 03-08-2012, 10:04 AM

Originally Posted by Chefbaze

Arko was recently reccomended to me by rossvtaylor (b&b member) when I mentioned how happy I was that after having tried almost 20 different soaps and creams in my first 2 months of wetshaving, I gave away or sold most of them and finally settled on 4 that work for me...and declared my ssad and scad over!
There were not any shave sticks on my list of soaps tried...naturally I went straight to pasteur phamacy and picked up a stick of Arko and La Toja...
I can tell you that I am sincerely afraid to put this soap on my face! Something about the smell leads me to believe I'm going to be one burning man, with red rosy cheeks....I can smell this stuff from the other room, and I barely opened the package...

The smell does get better. I kinda like it now. It's one of my favorite soaps.

**Legion** · 03-08-2012, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by salazch12

The smell does get better. I kinda like it now. It's one of my favorite soaps.

+1. The smell never really bothered me. It's a pitty I can't get it here. I only bought one stick when I was in Pasteurs.

**MeanGene** · 03-08-2012, 07:00 PM

I like how most soaps are described by scents and Arko posts are all about the smell.

I can guarantee that my next round of soap purchases will include Arko and I can't wait to accidentally taste it.

**Debrushman** · 03-08-2012, 07:01 PM

Rumor has it, that back in the 1940,s, a super concentrated fragrance oil was invented. Its purpose was to win the war by rendering the enemy feeble, by exposure to a powerful scent.
An oil tanker was converted to transport the scented oil weapon. During a storm the tanker ran a ground, the entire contents spilled out and was absorbed by a single generic shave stick. Thus Arko was born.

**gabiavaz** · 03-08-2012, 07:47 PM

I love arko

**Viseguy** · 03-08-2012, 08:38 PM

Arko is one of my faves, so I'll be interested to hear the answer to this question.

Maybe Steve Faragher knows something? On his videos he talks about buying Arko products in Turkey.

**Brent** · 03-08-2012, 08:51 PM

Originally Posted by Debrushman

Rumor has it, that back in the 1940,s, a super concentrated fragrance oil was invented. Its purpose was to win the war by rendering the enemy feeble, by exposure to a powerful scent.
An oil tanker was converted to transport the scented oil weapon. During a storm the tanker ran a ground, the entire contents spilled out and was absorbed by a single generic shave stick. Thus Arko was born.