Cult of Arko

**StubbleShaver** · 05-30-2012, 07:01 AM

Sign me up!

The aroma is AMAZING!

**adios_mach_3s** · 05-30-2012, 07:07 AM

Got my 12 pack of Arko in the mail a week or so, and I've been using it almost daily. Love it. Only problem - I got a 12 pack and I have used one stick about 8 times and haven't made a dent in it. Guess I've got enough soap to last me the rest of my life!

**vferdman** · 05-30-2012, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by Unkas

I personally do not mind the scent of the Palmolive stick as it smells just like what my grandpa used to shave with back in the day and I quite like the performance as well. Did you try the Euro palmolive stick? I have an urge to try Arko however and I will try to get my hands on some. I am still too new to B&B to be allowed into the BST so I'll have to get some another way.

Regarding boar brushes.. I'd prefer a smaller one as well, preferrably with a somewhat short loft as I want something that's a bit portable, got anything you could recommend?

I think the only Palmolive available here in US is the Euro one. Just about the only soaps available here in wide distribution (major stores) are Williams and VDH. It's pretty much a cartridge and canned goop mentality over here and marketeers are working real hard to maintain that. Only Target and Walmart carry any kind of shaving brush at all, as far as I know. Soaps are pretty much the ones I mentioned. It's a bleak scene for a wet shaver here in US without internet. There are boutiques in major cities, of course that cater to wet shavers, but they are small store operations and carry stuff you can get online. I found some Omega brushes and some fancy triple milled soaps in one of the small stores that sells all sorts of little cute stuff, but other than that you can not just walk into a drugstore or a department store and buy a stick/puck of shaving soap here. Those days are over. Same goes for the DE blades. I only saw them sold at Walmart here (Wilkinson Sword, that are actually not a bad blade). Good luck if you do not have internet.

As for a boar brush, I would definitely recommend a Semogue 1470. It's not tiny, but has a 50mm loft, which for a boar brush is smallish. It makes the brush stiffer, but the tips on the 1470 are very soft, especially after a break in period. I also have an Omega 10275 and it's about the size of the 1470 and just as good in performance, but has a plastic handle. Not a bad thing, just a bit cheaper feel. Also, Omega makes a famous "Bambino" brush that has a very good reputation. Then there is a "Mighty Midget" that's not much larger than the Bambino. I would not hesitate with Omega or Semogue boar brushes. They are excellent value and perform wonderfully. Just re,member to be patient with them the first month or so when they'll seem like they don't work at all. After break in they will give any badger brush a run for its money.

Have fun.

**Unkas** · 05-30-2012, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by vferdman

I think the only Palmolive available here in US is the Euro one. Just about the only soaps available here in wide distribution (major stores) are Williams and VDH....

Have fun.

I had too much of an itch in my buying finger last night so I ordered a Semogue 1305 since lots of people seem happy with it and it looks great.

The wetshaving scene is also quite small here in Sweden, I would even say smaller than in the US. The only shaving soap I've seen in a store is the palmolive stick but that's rare. We have some online shops in Sweden but all are incredibly overpriced and we only have about three decent ones to choose from so importing from all around the world is pretty much our only option unless you don't mind spending more money than necessary.

I'm trying to see if anyone in Sweden has some Arko before I decide to order from bestshave so I'll go on a hunt for small turkish shops to see if I find something. On a somewhat related note I wanted to try a vintage Gillette so I went to a whopping 12 different antique stores here and none had a vintage Gillette. Found a couple of straights and vintage DE blades but nothing else so getting things is quite hard here

**vferdman** · 05-30-2012, 06:45 PM

Gentlemen, I know that many of you have bought cases of Arko after being stricken with the ASAD (Arko Stick AD). Well, one of the newer member here who lives in Sweden and has difficult time finding one or two Arko sticks for a reasonable price where he lives asked me to inquire if perhaps someone can sell him a few sticks. He wants to also buy a Gillette Super Speed which I bought for him on ebay here in US and combine shipping. So if anyone wants to unload a few sticks I am willing to mail the sticks along with the razor to him. I may also get a stick or two for myself (I only have one unopened stick and that's just not right). Please PM me if you would like to sell a few sticks of your Arko stash. You'd be helping to recruit another member into the cult.

**chrismikehead** · 06-01-2012, 07:29 AM

I'm at least an associate member of the cult, and would be all-in if I had not discovered Speick. It works well for me, and I don't mind the scent at all. I could easily use only Arko if necessary, and would enjoy it.

I also PIF'd a couple of sticks to my brother-in-law last year. He's not a fanatic, but uses it regularly.

**adios_mach_3s** · 06-01-2012, 08:42 AM

So Gents,

I took my wife's potato peeler to a stick of arko and shredded it into a bowl. Then I smashed it down in the bowl for a few minutes until it's a solid mass in the bowl. Wet it a little, then loaded my brush. Let me say, it worked great!

Only problem - clean the soap off the potato peeler before sticking it back in the drawer. Evidently soap flavored shredded carrots don't taste good. I told her, "they should be clean."

**Deltaboy** · 06-01-2012, 09:31 AM

The Smell goes a way with in a week in the garage and it lathers so well and is so cheap I am a High Preist in the Arko Cult.

**Deltaboy** · 06-01-2012, 09:31 AM

Arko, Arko...I love you so...
and your billows of lather, ho-ho-ho!
You cling and protect--that's certainly true
But your best feature, Arko, is my skin feels like new.
For after the shave
I am hairless and smooth.
Your slick and warm goodness
Really hits the old groove!
The guy with the smile
And white beard on your wrapper
Tells me my shave has left me quite dapper.
Some say you stink...but
I say you're divine.
Those crabby naysayers just need more time
To let you mellow and change their minds
Because dammit Arko...you're just so fine!

Well done!

**olegunnar** · 06-01-2012, 03:06 PM

I just bought 6 arkos after reading so much about it on this forum. 2 sticks were grated into a used and washed nivea cream container. I like the bigger area for my soaps. I have been ambivalent towards the smell of it but I kind of like it.
Most urinal pucks here in Norway dont smell like this. Another note on urinalpucks or rather where they are I think many restrooms atleast in bars or pubs here smell quite nutty towards midnight and after. I know this is maybe wierd but I am more afraid of the almond smells many other recomended soaps have than arko, I am thinking I might get more urinalpuck wibe from them.

A friend of mine was visiting in my apartment today and our girlfriends started talking about hair growth or as in saving for longer hair. Yes, so a half minute later my friend was standing in the den sniffing and he chose arko as the best smelling one.

He has a beard and when he saw the DE and brush + arko he even said "If I had stuff like that I would shave too".

**Debrushman** · 06-01-2012, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by adios_mach_3s

So Gents,

I took my wife's potato peeler to a stick of arko and shredded it into a bowl. Then I smashed it down in the bowl for a few minutes until it's a solid mass in the bowl. Wet it a little, then loaded my brush. Let me say, it worked great!

Only problem - clean the soap off the potato peeler before sticking it back in the drawer. Evidently soap flavored shredded carrots don't taste good. I told her, "they should be clean."

While it is true that Arko flavored carrots aren't a delicacy, I bet they lather really good.

**zenless** · 06-02-2012, 05:54 AM

Oh boy, got a stick and shredded it last night. Lathered up this morning. What a nice lather! Combined with some new Personnas I got the closest i've gotten to a BBS since I started a few months ago. I'm not sure what's wrong with the smell. Just smells like a lemony soap to me! I only got 1 stick but I think when I start to wear it down i'll have to buy the pack. I may have kept sniffing the soap last night as it's strangely good smelling...

**OldGreyGuy** · 06-02-2012, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by zenless

I may have kept sniffing the soap last night as it's strangely good smelling...

Another poor soul lost to the curse of the Lemon.

**aodenkou** · 06-03-2012, 04:02 AM

When inthe UK I went to a Turkish barber and had a straight shave. By the end of the shave I wanted some of the soap.......I asked if I could buy some and he fixed me up. Two sticks and a little blue plastic cup they used. Now I need to try and get some more of the soap, oh it was Arko. I dont know what it is about the smell that some find offensive. Its not some clone of sandelwood or lime or anything else. I guess its has the smell of Arko, and I find that refreshing. Not to mention great lather and a great shave.

Living in the USA I am going to have to buy online, or as it travel keep my eyes open for a Turkish barber. I have not really been looking for one in the past so perhaps a bit of advice? Later this year I will be going to Ireland and Germany, does anyone know if I will find a Turkish barber shop there? Or just try to find it online?

Thanks in advance for any help!

**Haggises** · 06-03-2012, 04:14 AM

Amazon has a 12 stick deal usually.
Often find on ebay for under 4 bucks per stick.
Welcome fellow Arkonut!

**stljeff** · 06-03-2012, 05:10 PM

I'm so hooked on it now that when I found out that I'd be making a business trip to Chicago tomorrow, the first thing I did was Google Turkish markets in the area and got driving directions so that I can get my Arko fix while I'm there.
________
Jeff