Arko? It literally stinks!

[Trawlerman]

I finally got some Arko sticks today. Got three of them for £5 recently which I though was OK really. I bought them along with two OS Mugs that I had been looking for.

So I opened up the Arko to put into the OS Mugs and was greeted by such a smell that I can only describe as interesting. Not quite sure what it is that is exciting my olfactory senses but it's certainly different to anything else that I've ever smelled

I'm not too worried as the Arko lathers like crazy with my Omega Pro '49 brush and that's the main thing.

Gonna shave with it tonight to see how it does.

 

[media]

It's a lemony soap smell. If you leave the stick unwrapped out in the open it will dull the scent. Personally, I dont mind it. Tabac smells worse to me imho...but I still use it.

 

[Suzuki]

I found the scent of Arko to most closely resemble that of institutional urinal pucks.

The shave is decent, but I couldn't get over the smell - even after letting it mellow for over 2 years...

In my view a better shaving and certainly better smelling soap is the Euro Palmolive stick - cheap as chips (usually about $3 Stateside), nice fresh, soapy smell and filled with tallowy goodness.

 

[Trawlerman]

In my view a better shaving and certainly better smelling soap is the Euro Palmolive stick - cheap as chips (usually about $3 Stateside), nice fresh, soapy smell and filled with tallowy goodness.

I love these. They are 49p here and available in abundance. They lather like nobodys business. Really good value product.

In actual fact, I chopped one of these into the other OS mug and will be using that one in the same way as the Arko.

 

[Mr. Imperial]

I always thought Arko had a nice neutral "soapy" scent (which I think I actually like). I did leave mine unwrapped for several days after its first use, though, so maybe that killed some of the twinge you're complaining about.

 

[David in Boston]

I always thought Arko had a nice neutral "soapy" scent...

Smells like Ivory soap on steriods to me.

Great soap and a great value for the money.

 

[drewmac]

I think they smell like a citronella candle. Not my favorite scent at all! But, they do lather awesome, and the smell subsides fairly quick after applying to the face.

 

[markb]

The Arko does smell synthetic, but not unpleasant. Well, to my nose anyway. The quality of the lather however more than makes up for any olfactory short-comings..

 

[Defcon5]

I'm still dragging my feet on trying my stick, because I agree with the "stink" part. It strikes me as a cross between like industrial urinal cake and disposable diaper (though, clean at least!). I'd started in on the Cyril Salter creams instead. (been really impressed with those, however)

 

[drewmac]

I'm still dragging my feet on trying my stick, because I agree with the "stink" part. It strikes me as a cross between like industrial urinal cake and disposable diaper (though, clean at least!). I'd started in on the Cyril Salter creams instead. (been really impressed with those, however)

I'd try it. I couldn't smell the stick after I lathered. What's the worst that could happen? You hate the smell so bad that you gag and throw-up all over your shaving supplies ?

 

[Defcon5]

Once this week I almost did it. But then I used the Speick stick. Getting warmer!

 

[drewmac]

Once this week I almost did it. But then I used the Speick stick. Getting warmer!

I'll the let the flames rain down from those who love Speick, but I think their stick smells like old rubber - and I should know, I work summers in a bike shop. I still use it though, so go figure!

 

[superbleu]

I found the scent of Arko to most closely resemble that of institutional urinal pucks.

The shave is decent, but I couldn't get over the smell - even after letting it mellow for over 2 years...

In my view a better shaving and certainly better smelling soap is the Euro Palmolive stick - cheap as chips (usually about $3 Stateside), nice fresh, soapy smell and filled with tallowy goodness.

I have also heard the scent described as Industrial strength Ivory, but institutional urinal pucks is also a fair comparison.

Euro Palmolive is good, find some before all the tallow sticks are gone, rumor has it they are moving to palm oil instead of tallow.

 

[MichaelG]

Not the nicest connotation when shaving

The scent is strong, but the performance is excellent. The strong scent keeps me from using more often, but I do use it occasionally.

I finally got some Arko sticks today. Got three of them for £5 recently which I though was OK really. I bought them along with two OS Mugs that I had been looking for.

So I opened up the Arko to put into the OS Mugs and was greeted by such a smell that I can only describe as interesting. Not quite sure what it is that is exciting my olfactory senses but it's certainly different to anything else that I've ever smelled

I'm not too worried as the Arko lathers like crazy with my Omega Pro '49 brush and that's the main thing.

Gonna shave with it tonight to see how it does.

 

[turkish]

Really? Am I the only one here that likes the smell of the Arko shave stick? It reminds me of Williams but Arko definitely smells better. I think it has an old school, soapy, traditional scent. One of my favorite soaps.

 

[Andrew Dill]

I like the smell, and you cant beat the design of the wrapper!

 

[Randy Watson]

Didn't care for the smell at all when it arrived and almost didn't try it, but it works so well I've just learned to deal with it.

 

[Vlad]

Don't like the smell at all. Anyone have any good ideas on how to add a frag to it?

 

[Gogo]

I agree Arko stinks...stinks like magic!

 

[talibeard]

I found the scent of Arko to most closely resemble that of institutional urinal pucks.

The shave is decent, but I couldn't get over the smell - even after letting it mellow for over 2 years...

In my view a better shaving and certainly better smelling soap is the Euro Palmolive stick - cheap as chips (usually about $3 Stateside), nice fresh, soapy smell and filled with tallowy goodness.

I certainly agree to the EU palmolive stick being a very good product with a non offensive scent to it. But after using both a lot I do rate the shave with Arko higher, not by much but unmistakable. Too bad the scent puts you off here; that is why I will never be a happy Mama Bear user...and that is just too bad after reading all the rave reviews.

YMMV-blabla and all but Arko and its scent got me hooked and even TOBS is not gonna change that!