Shaving Stick revisited.

**FaPat5** · 02-07-2008, 05:59 AM

Some may know that I am not particularly fond of shaving sticks, but today I tried one again, and must say that the results surprised me.

I recently purchased an Arko Shaving Stick out of curiosity, as I had seen it often mentioned on this board, and have seen people equate its performance with the mighty Tabac soap.

I got curious, and decided to give a shaving stick one more chance. So today, I tried it, and must say that the results were quite good. It gave me such a thick lather. Great.

I think my previous issue has always been that I used to own a boar bristle brush. When I would try to whip up lather using a shave stick with that brush, it would never work. The bristles were hard, did not hold much water, and just scraped accross my face. However, my new silver tip brushes seem to work magic here, and manage to actually pick up the soap. I was definately pleased. Who knows, I may not mill this one.

**Consettmag** · 02-07-2008, 01:57 PM

It's always good to give something a second chance..

I myself really like shaving sticks just for the fact that you can really scrub the stuff into your stubble and in doing so give the brush an easy chance to whip up tons of lather.

I'm quite fond of Arko despite it's cheap press and scent. Whilst holidaying in Turkey some years ago I brought around 5 sticks back and still use them today in my rotation. They were dirt cheap out there, I think I paid around £1.50 for 5. Crazy!!..

As for the ones readily available here in the UK I have Tabac, Palmolive and Erasmic. Cheap as chips and easy to use.

Viva Arko!!

**BigSwifty** · 02-07-2008, 02:57 PM

The nicest stick I have tried is the Valobra. Very nice lather for a stick and a nice clean and subtle scent.

**rickw** · 02-07-2008, 03:13 PM

The Arko creams are also nice.

**BroJohn** · 02-07-2008, 05:16 PM

While the Arko stick has a profound soap/cleanser smell, it's pretty hard to beat the shave it affords. I enjoy using it, have come to ignore the aroma. It develops a rich, creamy, slick, lush lather.

I just wish it had a more pleasant aroma.

Recommended.

-- John Gehman

**norman931** · 02-07-2008, 05:35 PM

Arko stick is an excellent value. Very easy to use as a shave stick: just rub it on your face, against the grain, then build the lather on your face. It is very soft, and doesn't irritate my face at all. Definitely a keeper, and one of my favorites. I have mine in a used QED shave stick container.

Norm

**jss** · 02-08-2008, 02:34 AM

Equal to Tabac..Very flattering.

**Al From Maine** · 02-08-2008, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by BroJohn

While the Arko stick has a profound soap/cleanser smell, it's pretty hard to beat the shave it affords. I enjoy using it, have come to ignore the aroma. It develops a rich, creamy, slick, lush lather.

I just wish it had a more pleasant aroma.

Recommended.

-- John Gehman

No matter how it worked, not sure I'd want a product that didn't smell appealing....

Al

**rtaylor61** · 02-09-2008, 10:04 PM

I melted down all of my shaving sticks. And then I got Arko. It changed my opinion of the shave stick format.

Randy

**rickw** · 02-10-2008, 06:59 PM

I used Arko and a schick yesterday. Great.

**razercat** · 02-10-2008, 07:23 PM

I have an Arko stik that I cut in half and mushed into a coffee cup and use it along with Arko moist and several other different creams as well.

Eddie

**FaPat5** · 02-11-2008, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by rtaylor61

I melted down all of my shaving sticks. And then I got Arko. It changed my opinion of the shave stick format.

Randy

I hope you don't try melting with the Arko, I believe it is tallow based.

**DrumDawg** · 02-11-2008, 01:44 PM

where can you buy arko shave sticks?

**BroJohn** · 02-11-2008, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by DrumDawg

where can you buy arko shave sticks?

Here.

HTH.

-- John Gehman

**DrumDawg** · 02-11-2008, 04:20 PM

thanks

one other question; i was using a MB shave stick the last time i traveled; rubbed against the grain; just could not get a good lather; im sure it is because my beard is not THAT thick; or is this a soap issue; or a combo of both (yes i rubbed it against the grain; and then tried to lather on my face with the brush)

**norman931** · 02-11-2008, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Al From Maine

No matter how it worked, not sure I'd want a product that didn't smell appealing....

Al

Arko smells ok to me. Nice nostalgic scent. It's just not one of those heavenly scents like you'd get from Honeybee Sue.

Norm

**rickw** · 02-12-2008, 01:06 PM

What do you use to store the Arko sticks?

**Lynchmeister** · 02-12-2008, 02:48 PM

Tried my QED Casablanca shave stick for the first time today. I got much better results with the glycerine stick than I did with the Erasmic and Palmolive sticks I tried previously.

**RoadKing99** · 02-12-2008, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Lynchmeister

Tried my QED Casablanca shave stick for the first time today. I got much better results with the glycerine stick than I did with the Erasmic and Palmolive sticks I tried previously.

What results are better? I have been "testing" QED sticks for a while and really like them--except for one "result" important to me.

The QED lather is not rich. Its volume is great but density is lean--filled with fine bubbles. Other than this disappointing characteristic, the QED sticks have wonderful qualities.

**loueedacat** · 02-12-2008, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by RoadKing99

What results are better? I have been "testing" QED sticks for a while and really like them--except for one "result" important to me.

The QED lather is not rich. Its volume is great but density is lean--filled with fine bubbles. Other than this disappointing characteristic, the QED sticks have wonderful qualities.

You may not be rubbing enough soap on.