Just too much hype not too. I very much enjoy VDH Luxury. Have no reason to hunt a new soap other than to see for myself how it compares to my favorites. Pull out of mailbox, immediately open bag and fold open top of foil to get a smell. I mean that is what everyone talks about when it comes to arko, right? Pleasantly surprised. Does not seem super strong, and is to my nose, in no way unpleasant. So when I get around to shaving, I try it stick to face, as it seems would be its intended method. Never used a stick before. Found it difficult if even a bit aggravating to try to rub circles. My whiskers grab it and seem to not want to let go. When rubbed with the grain, much easier and no trouble getting a nice soapy coating on face. Grab brush and go to work. OK, I may have over done it on the soap coating. Seems to be more soap than I need. Little more water, work some more....OK. Grab the razor and..... wow. Nice. Very enjoyable shave. No complaints at all. Grab the clubman and generous splash..... nope. No excessive burn. Finish shave routine climb into bed. Sniff. Sniff. The usual pleasing scent of my clubman seems to be non existent. I smell the arko. It does not smell bad at all. I rather like it. I do miss the smell of my clubman though. I got the arko to try and also with the intent of it living in my travel kit. Had some thoughts of it possibly replacing my VDH as daily driver, if for no other reason than I love the idea that it is basically unchanged since its origin in the 50's. I will use it more, and let it air out some, and get a more experienced opinion of it. At this point I do not see it replacing my VDH. Main reason, I want to smell the clubman. I love it. My wife loves it. I like the arko smell just fine, but it just is not "my" smell. If it airs out some and does not over power the clubman, I will be more pleased with it.
Cliff notes:
-Tried arko
-Pleasant smell and great performance
-Only complaint is the fact that it overpowers the smell of my after shave
-More uses planned and glad I finally tried the famous/infamous arko
Cliff notes:
-Tried arko
-Pleasant smell and great performance
-Only complaint is the fact that it overpowers the smell of my after shave
-More uses planned and glad I finally tried the famous/infamous arko