I've been wetshaving for a long time, but just recently got on a real kick of S&CAD (soap and cream aquisition) and I've been ordering things that I've been wanting to try for a long time. My best new arrivals have been TOBS Jermyn St. and Prorazo green in the tub. I really enjoy creams more than soaps, but I do have some favorite soaps, like Tabac and anything AOS. In my near year with B&B I have read over and over about Arko sticks, and finally this week I pulled the trigger--picked up a stick on the 'bay for just a couple of bucks.
The stick came in this morning, and, of course, I could hardly wait to open it up and give it a sniff. It wasn't nearly as disgusting as I anticipated, in fact, I found the scent very interesting. So just a few minutes ago I took a hot shower, did the face prep, popped a new Astra SP in my favorite rhodium Aristocrat, soaked a favorite brush, and proceeded to initiate myself to the world of Arko. I wet my face, and liberally rubbed the stick all over my beard. Then, when I hit my face with the warm, moist brush, the lather just exploded--wow, this stuff really makes the lather--and it's thick, rich, creamy, and perfect. The shave went perfectly--smooth, no pull, nicely lubricated, no nicks or weepers, and I had tons of lather in the brush....enough not only for my standard 3 passes, but probably enough for a couple more.
It's at this point I got stupid. Let me preface this by saying I like containers, boxes, cases, packs--whatever to hold and tote around whatever for whatever hobby I happen to involve myself in. I have a neat collection of wooden soap bowls, plastic tubs, and whatever to keep my soaps and creams travelworthy, so I thought I had the perfect container for my newly aquired Arko stick. It's a vintage bakelite soap container that I've been saving for the right thing. The cap had a bit of a recess that the stick fit into with a bit of trimming, then I pushed the stick down into the bakelite container. Well, folks, it's in there, and it looks like it's going to be in there for a long, long time. Now, this all relates to the scent of the Arko. Although it is not as completely disgusting as the cat pee smell of "The Veg", it does have that certain, uh, let's say, urinal cake quality. I just could see having this stick in my soap cabinet with my other soaps and creams not being contained. It just seems like it would turn my entire soap cabinet into an Eau de bus station urinal cake depository. Well, I don't have that problem now, but how am I gonna get this stuff out of the container, for I can't even use it now. Any suggestions would be appreciated. (Pic below)
Where do you guys keep your Arko?
The stick came in this morning, and, of course, I could hardly wait to open it up and give it a sniff. It wasn't nearly as disgusting as I anticipated, in fact, I found the scent very interesting. So just a few minutes ago I took a hot shower, did the face prep, popped a new Astra SP in my favorite rhodium Aristocrat, soaked a favorite brush, and proceeded to initiate myself to the world of Arko. I wet my face, and liberally rubbed the stick all over my beard. Then, when I hit my face with the warm, moist brush, the lather just exploded--wow, this stuff really makes the lather--and it's thick, rich, creamy, and perfect. The shave went perfectly--smooth, no pull, nicely lubricated, no nicks or weepers, and I had tons of lather in the brush....enough not only for my standard 3 passes, but probably enough for a couple more.
It's at this point I got stupid. Let me preface this by saying I like containers, boxes, cases, packs--whatever to hold and tote around whatever for whatever hobby I happen to involve myself in. I have a neat collection of wooden soap bowls, plastic tubs, and whatever to keep my soaps and creams travelworthy, so I thought I had the perfect container for my newly aquired Arko stick. It's a vintage bakelite soap container that I've been saving for the right thing. The cap had a bit of a recess that the stick fit into with a bit of trimming, then I pushed the stick down into the bakelite container. Well, folks, it's in there, and it looks like it's going to be in there for a long, long time. Now, this all relates to the scent of the Arko. Although it is not as completely disgusting as the cat pee smell of "The Veg", it does have that certain, uh, let's say, urinal cake quality. I just could see having this stick in my soap cabinet with my other soaps and creams not being contained. It just seems like it would turn my entire soap cabinet into an Eau de bus station urinal cake depository. Well, I don't have that problem now, but how am I gonna get this stuff out of the container, for I can't even use it now. Any suggestions would be appreciated. (Pic below)
Where do you guys keep your Arko?
