Arko does beat any canned foam I've tried and was one of my first shave soap purchases and always is present in my den. I enjoy ARKO sticks a lot, but can see the shortcomings; for what they are, they're great. I purchased another dozen sticks just after New Year, after using and giving away the last dozen I had. I'll use ARKO again for most of August this year. If I get low, I wouldn't hesitate to buy another dozen sticks. At ~$15 for a dozen sticks, ARKO is a real bargain- about 50 cents an ounce!
I always leave two sticks partially unwrapped out to breathe; after some months the industrial scent fades and the soap is much better for me. In fact, when the soap starts turning a bit off-white it's best IMO. My scent rating below is after aging the ARKO sticks. Also, don't buy the bowl; buy the sticks and press them into a bowl if you want a bowl. The ARKO bowl soap is much more expensive.
An half stick always travels with me, as it delivers a very good shave in a most portable package- a small baggie. In terms of value, ARKO is a hard soap to beat; but IMHO there are better performing artisan soaps with better lathers and post-shave feel available now, but those are almost always way more expensive. ARKO isn't a luxury experience for me; it's a basic shave soap that performs well above its price point.
I always leave two sticks partially unwrapped out to breathe; after some months the industrial scent fades and the soap is much better for me. In fact, when the soap starts turning a bit off-white it's best IMO. My scent rating below is after aging the ARKO sticks. Also, don't buy the bowl; buy the sticks and press them into a bowl if you want a bowl. The ARKO bowl soap is much more expensive.
An half stick always travels with me, as it delivers a very good shave in a most portable package- a small baggie. In terms of value, ARKO is a hard soap to beat; but IMHO there are better performing artisan soaps with better lathers and post-shave feel available now, but those are almost always way more expensive. ARKO isn't a luxury experience for me; it's a basic shave soap that performs well above its price point.
Used nothing else for years, I buy it by the case.
Great review, thanks.