[Dumb] Arko stick question.

[Darkbulb]

Ok, so I am getting ready for my first DE shave tomorrow and today I got an ARKO stick in the mail (courtesy of a very kind member on this board).

I've read many people don't like the smell..so I was hesitant when I unwrapped the top of it but I actually think it smells great - a very fresh, citrus smell that I rather enjoyed.

But, and here's the 'dumb' question...how do I use it. I don't have a bowl or not really planning on using a bowl so I want to try out what I think is called "face lathering"? This stick is hard so..uh...do I;

a) wet the stick and rub it on my face and then after I've smeared it around use a damp brush on my face to "lather it up",
b) wet the stick and brush and rub the brush over the tip of the stick (that..sounded way too sexual btw..) and then apply the brush to my face, or
c) something completely different?

Any comments greatly appreciated

 

[Cobra0369]

Refer to the shave wiki section.

 

[RaiserLiebe]

This http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Category:Lathering

 

[.soap.]

A... And enjoy!

 

[nemo]

I wouldn't recommend applying the stick to the face quite yet (for the first few shaves) and would get used to creating a lather in a bowl ... just because it's a little more of a controlled environment for your experiments.

Cut off three or four 1/8 inch slices and stick the "coins" to a wide coffee mug and lather up in there for some testing, then move to the face when it seems thick enough.
Just my 2¢

 

[Darkbulb]

Refer to the shave wiki section.

Ah thanks, I dug around and found two pieces;
1) Tutorial on how to use a shaving stick (which is what I assume an Arko is), and
2) Lathering options - that also talks about how to use a stick

Sounds pretty straightforward

 

[Darkbulb]

I wouldn't recommend applying the stick to the face quite yet (for the first few shaves) and would get used to creating a lather in a bowl ... just because it's a little more of a controlled environment for your experiments.

Cut off three or four 1/8 inch slices and stick the "coins" to a wide coffee mug and lather up in there for some testing, then move to the face when it seems thick enough.
Just my 2¢

Thanks, I may do just that tomorrow - and it may even answer my own question if I want to use a bowl at all going forward

 

[BDF]

Lucky that you like it 'cause there sure is a lot of smell in a stick of ARKO I like it too, more or less.

Both choices A and B work quite well. Another way to use it is to smash the stick into some kind of a bowl or container. I have a stick cut in half and squished (technical term) into a small Tupperware container; I just use it like any other hard soap by loading the brush on top of the smushed stick.

You can also buy small containers that hold a stick of ARKO as well as push it up like stick deodorant. The containers make it easier and cleaner to handle the stick and contain it when traveling or just putting it away. Like this: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Twist-up-Shaving-Stick-Containers-2-oz_p_649.html A stick of ARKO loose in a bathroom will overcome just about any other odor sooner or later.

If ultraviolet light had a smell, it would be identical to ARKO although maybe not so concentrated but then again, what is as concentrated as ARKO?

Brian

Ok, so I am getting ready for my first DE shave tomorrow and today I got an ARKO stick in the mail (courtesy of a very kind member on this board).

I've read many people don't like the smell..so I was hesitant when I unwrapped the top of it but I actually think it smells great - a very fresh, citrus smell that I rather enjoyed.

But, and here's the 'dumb' question...how do I use it. I don't have a bowl or not really planning on using a bowl so I want to try out what I think is called "face lathering"? This stick is hard so..uh...do I;

a) wet the stick and rub it on my face and then after I've smeared it around use a damp brush on my face to "lather it up",
b) wet the stick and brush and rub the brush over the tip of the stick (that..sounded way too sexual btw..) and then apply the brush to my face, or
c) something completely different?

Any comments greatly appreciated

View attachment 361680

 

[Treynman]

Arko is a very soft soap, being tallow based. You could mash it into a cup,bowl, or small Tupperware/jar if you wanted to use it like a normal soap and bowl lather.

 

[Topgumby]

I use method A. Sometimes, when feeling decadent, I use A plus B.

Mostly, I load a brush on a stick I've mashed into a mug and face lather.

Try 'em all, and then invent your own best way. There isn't a wrong way to use Arko, only several right ways.

 

[goatee]

i took a few sticks, cut them up and pressed them into a tin with a screw on cap. love it. much better than face lathering. i actually bruised my face once doing that. i know it sounds stupid, but i think it much more common with sticks. trust me, it hurt.

 

[California Cajun]

Ok, so I am getting ready for my first DE shave tomorrow and today I got an ARKO stick in the mail (courtesy of a very kind member on this board).

I've read many people don't like the smell..so I was hesitant when I unwrapped the top of it but I actually think it smells great - a very fresh, citrus smell that I rather enjoyed.

But, and here's the 'dumb' question...how do I use it. I don't have a bowl or not really planning on using a bowl so I want to try out what I think is called "face lathering"? This stick is hard so..uh...do I;

a) wet the stick and rub it on my face and then after I've smeared it around use a damp brush on my face to "lather it up",
b) wet the stick and brush and rub the brush over the tip of the stick (that..sounded way too sexual btw..) and then apply the brush to my face, or
c) something completely different?

Any comments greatly appreciated

View attachment 361680

I would choose B, and if you find it hard to use that way you can grate it into a bowl or mug with a cheese grater and it will be easier to lather.

 

[Darkbulb]

I also found this Arko Stick shaving video that's kinda neat

And the funny thing is he mentions one thing in passing "to hang the brush on the brush holder so to keep the lather on it for the next passes" - and that for some reason suddenly made sense to me and darn it..now I am thinking I am going to need a brush holder (as I'm not QUITE sure I will do that mug/cup thing.."

I can totally see how this is going to be a 'costly' thing for me...but...hopefully a lot of it is initial investments that will depreciate over a number of years. [/end of rationalization]

 

[MACRI]

Arko is a very soft soap, being tallow based. You could mash it into a cup,bowl, or small Tupperware/jar if you wanted to use it like a normal soap and bowl lather.

+1

This is what I did to my Arko stick, and I can now bowl lather without issues! Love it better that way than in stick form. But thats just me.....

 

[JayEddie]

And the funny thing is he mentions one thing in passing "to hang the brush on the brush holder so to keep the lather on it for the next passes" - and that for some reason suddenly made sense to me and darn it..now I am thinking I am going to need a brush holder (as I'm not QUITE sure I will do that mug/cup thing.."

I can totally see how this is going to be a 'costly' thing for me...but...hopefully a lot of it is initial investments that will depreciate over a number of years. [/end of rationalization]

A brush holder is not necessary, I just set the brush down on the back of the handle and leave the lather in place on the brush until I need it again.

 

[Haggises]

I use A+B for extra goodness.
You will find it can be quite sticky on the face - keep rubbing at it with the brush until all that base layer is absorbed or you may clog your razor.

As far as brush holders - right up there with pre-shave oil under "Things you don't really need".

 

[breadstick]

The first two would work just fine. One bit of advice I learned the hard way, make sure you rub the stick on your face in the direction of hair growth. I went ATG with the stick a few times and, because it's so soft, tiny pieces of it seemed to get caught in my beard and started clogging the razor.

That said, I completely love ARKO and I don't see not ever having it in my den.

 

[flyingfool]

Where is the cheapest place to get one stick of Arko? there is nothing that I'm aware of locally so it would have to be on-line shipped to me. I don't want to buy 12 sticks of it from Amazon. Maybe if I like it I will. But I want to try Arko first and then maybe couple other sticks as well.

 

[Darkbulb]

Where is the cheapest place to get one stick of Arko? there is nothing that I'm aware of locally so it would have to be on-line shipped to me. I don't want to buy 12 sticks of it from Amazon. Maybe if I like it I will. But I want to try Arko first and then maybe couple other sticks as well.

Cheapest I've seen is $4.33 for a stick on Amazon. Obviously the individual sticks are cheaper when bought in bulk but it's the cheapest single-stick I've seen.

 

[Larsson_Power]

I wouldn't recommend applying the stick to the face quite yet (for the first few shaves) and would get used to creating a lather in a bowl ... just because it's a little more of a controlled environment for your experiments.

Cut off three or four 1/8 inch slices and stick the "coins" to a wide coffee mug and lather up in there for some testing, then move to the face when it seems thick enough.
Just my 2¢

This is a good idea!

Oh, good luck with your first DE shave