Disappointed with shave stick

[Nxspam]

Just tried a shave stick for the first time. "Erasmic" from the UK.

Getting the stick to stay on the plastic base was messy, and it started to crumble. Had to grip the soap stick to apply it.

After washing my face in hot water, and giving it a good rub all over the hairy bit, I initially got a good lather with my brush. While I was rinsing my gillette, getting ready to shave, the lather just seemed to collapse. It was lie that movie with Nicholas Cage, gone in 60 seconds.

it was a $3 stick so I wasn't expecting miracles, but I don't think I'll be reaching for that again.

I hope Arko isn't like that.

 

[rum]

It's certainly not my experience with the likes of Palmolive, which is a good tallow-based shave stick and much cheaper than what you paid for Erasmic! Sounds like your isn't of very good quality...

 

[StuMcB]

The Eramic stick seems to do better in very soft water thats very hot in my experience. It doesnt get a lot of love for the very reasons you've mentioned. However the soap in the black bowl, now thats a different matter. Nice and slick lather that stays around unlike the stick. Dont give up though you may just be able to get it to work, try mashing it into a bowl instead of the stick.

 

[global_dev]

Arko doesn't have a plastic base! so no worries there.

i's be surprised to see it crumble.. never tried erasmic, but i tear off some of the wrapper about 1/3 and hold the stick by the 2/3 of the wrapper

 

[WoodfordReserve-Neat]

I haven't used "Erasmic" so I am not sure about it ?
But, I have Speick, Lo Toja and Arko sticks and like them. One of them will always be in my dopp bag for traveling.

Arko gives me a very nice lather for its cost. The old proverbial YMMV applies... of course.
HTH

 

[attime6]

Never used Erasmic, but the reviews I've seen haven't been good. Arko lathers up easy.

 

[Nxspam]

The Eramic stick seems to do better in very soft water thats very hot

Stu might be on to something there. The water in Denmark is on the hard side. But, the quality is not the same as my other soaps. Oh we'll, it's not gonna ruin me. I just wanted to try a stick and face lathering. I suppose you get what you pay for. My proraso white and TOBS lathers up just fine.

arko sticks seem very reasonable and have a lot of fans here on B&B. I just haven't seen any locally. I'll look into it.

 

[BroJohn]

Nxspam --

A few years ago, the Erasmic was reformulated from a decent product into a product that is simply unacceptably poor. Sadly, your experience with the disappearing lather is the norm for this new Erasmic. I don't know why these companies take a good product and reformulate it into junk. The good news is that you'll find that on the whole, shave stick products are really quite excellent. Arko is a very good shave soap, as are the Wilkinson shave sticks, Palmolive, Valobra, La Toja, and many others.

It's not you or your technique, just that Erasmic has been turned into a dud. Use it for a shower soap, buy a different shave stick product and move on.

-- John Gehman

 

[Bill R]

Do try a Palmolive one. In fact if you PM me your address I'll PIF you one over, they are pretty cheap in the UK. I've just gone back to DE shaving after a LOT of years and I'm using TOB sandlewood at the moment but couldn't resist buying a Palmolive shaving stick at 49p! It's surprisingly good regardless of the price.

 

[jkh]

I have tried the tallow version of Erasmic (pre-formulation) and I thought is was marginally good at best. Arko, Valobra, Speick, Palmolive, Wilkinson, and La Toja are all top tier performers and would provide a better shaving stick experience. I would be surprised if had difficulties sources Palmolive or Speick in Denmark, but that is just a guess.

 

[oc_in_fw]

Do try a Palmolive one. In fact if you PM me your address I'll PIF you one over, they are pretty cheap in the UK. I've just gone back to DE shaving after a LOT of years and I'm using TOB sandlewood at the moment but couldn't resist buying a Palmolive shaving stick at 49p! It's surprisingly good regardless of the price.

Good show. To Nxspan- the Palmolive won't disappoint. It is on par (in every category but scent) with Speick. It does smell good, but I absolutely love the scent of Speick.

 

[rajagra]

I've made the effort to use a shave stick a few times recently (Arko.) Although rubbing the stick over my face works for lathering, I wanted to try using the stick for washing my face too. Treating the stick as if it is a bar of soap works well (as you would expect!)
Wet the stick, rub it in the hands, then massage into the face. After rinsing, do it again but follow up by using the brush to face lather. If there isn't quite enough, rub the brush against the stick.
Works well, though I'm unsure on the long-term effect on the shape of the stick. Still ... at these prices, who cares?

 

[TripleG]

Chiming in to suggest the Valobra stick.

 

[FL shaver]

The veggie Erasmic stick is the worst soap I have ever tried and the Op's description is spot on. The soap crumbled at the base and when I milled it a fluffy powder resulted. The lather was very thin and crackled as the tiny bubbles popped. Awful stuff, but I have the remaining lump saved for no good reason.

 

[OldSaw]

Chiming in to suggest the Valobra stick.

Also Speick, which is becoming one of my favorites. I think I like it even better than Valobra.

 

[talibeard]

Erasmic has been reformulated twice recently; the old version was tallow first and some really liked it, the first reformulation was non-tallow and I have not seen a good comment on it. The last reformulation brought the tallow back (on first place) and is getting better reviews again; for me the verdict is still out as it is waiting in line to be tried.

But I agree with others that Palmolive, Speick, Arko and la Toja are safe choices to try another stick.

 

[jamesspo]

I was pretty underwhelmed by Erasmic as well. I think you'll do better with just about anything other stick.

 

[dreadpirate]

+ 1 for Valobra, Speick, and La Toja. I have had GREAT results from these. Also Lea.

I have tried the tallow version of Erasmic (pre-formulation) and I thought is was marginally good at best. Arko, Valobra, Speick, Palmolive, Wilkinson, and La Toja are all top tier performers and would provide a better shaving stick experience. I would be surprised if had difficulties sources Palmolive or Speick in Denmark, but that is just a guess.

 

[Mick]

You should be able to get Palmolive, Speick, and LaToja sticks locally as they are all European made.

All of those listed above should not disappoint you.

 

[TGilly]

I don't get shave sticks at all. What is this foreign object?