My first time with Arko

[eizan70]

After reading the never ending rants of all the arko users on the forum I finally caved in and bought a stick. I mean really ~ $1.50 a stick if you buy a box of 12. So I bought 1 for about $3 shipped.

I opened and smelled, fear and apprehension abounding, I know this is the biggest area of disagreement and criticism. Not too bad, I think, reminds me of some old time soaps. I can see why some people think it smells like urinal cakes, but I won't add any urine and I think it should be fine.

I mashed down the soap in an empty TOBS container and went to work. The lather came easily and quickly became very thick, and at the price I wouldn't be concerned with loading to heavily, which proved to be unnecessary. Clean, slick, smooth, close shave that for out performed most of the tallow artisan soaps I have tried. In fact, I am considering replacing the Tallow boston tea party RR in my rotation. I use it primarily for super lather, because of the extremely mild scent, but I cannot say that it outperforms the arko YMMV.

After a surprisingly great have...I admit I was expecting one of those underwhelming outcomes. I ordered a box of 12. I will probably only be using it 1-2 times a week, and won't be going through it that fast. Should I freeze unopened sticks? I have never bought a box of soap before.

 

[talibeard]

No need to freeze it imo; Arko is a stable soap that will probably last for decades. It is addictive as well so chances are you will use it more and more after some time. It really is one of the top soaps on the planet right now....(since vintage Williams is gone).

 

[chrismikehead]

The Arko man has welcomed another lucky shaver into his lathery embrace.

Congratulations, new Arkolyte!

 

[Toxic515]

Woohoo, welcome aboard the Arko Zombie train! I mashed mine into a used stick deodorant twist up. I went from using Bigelow and Omega most of the time, with VDH and Cnl Conk's lime to mostly using Arko. I too bought a case, and then have wound up giving sticks to enough people I may have to buy again in a month or two. Good stuff, that Arko. :-D BTW: I've been keeping mine in a gallon ziplock.

 

[bluesbishop]

I was hesitant to try Arko myself....after reading the stories of "urine cake smell" and other...but I was PIF'd a stick by my twin brother...when I first unwrapped it....I did NOT like the smell.....not a urine cake smell, but to my nose a very strong smell of the pink liquid bathroom soap used in many public restrooms.

I totally unwrapped the stick and allowed it to air out....after several days the smell had calmed down....I first tried arko by itself...I wetted my brush, and loaded the arko on my brush and face lahered...WOW...ungodly amoumts of nice thick lather!
I was not a huge fan of the scent though....

Arko though has remained in my daily use...I now use it as part of a superlather....using mostly arko and small amounts of either AoS Sandalwood cream, or C.O Bigelow.....the resulting superlather is much better than the cream alone, and the scent is covered by the creams.

I'm sure many Arko fans would scream Blasphemy, but I'm a huge believer in superlather and Arko works perfectly for the task....I'm a convert!!

 

[NexlevMM]

I remember when i lost my Arko virginity..Its good stuff! Currently my go-to soap when I want a great shave.

 

[7 O Menthol]

I remember when i lost my Arko virginity..Its good stuff! Currently my go-to soap when I want a great shave.

Ahh yes, we all have fond memories of losing our arko cherry.... or would it be our arko s in this case

 

[eizan70]

I was hesitant to try Arko myself....after reading the stories of "urine cake smell" and other...but I was PIF'd a stick by my twin brother...when I first unwrapped it....I did NOT like the smell.....not a urine cake smell, but to my nose a very strong smell of the pink liquid bathroom soap used in many public restrooms.

I totally unwrapped the stick and allowed it to air out....after several days the smell had calmed down....I first tried arko by itself...I wetted my brush, and loaded the arko on my brush and face lahered...WOW...ungodly amoumts of nice thick lather!
I was not a huge fan of the scent though....

Arko though has remained in my daily use...I now use it as part of a superlather....using mostly arko and small amounts of either AoS Sandalwood cream, or C.O Bigelow.....the resulting superlather is much better than the cream alone, and the scent is covered by the creams.

I'm sure many Arko fans would scream Blasphemy, but I'm a huge believer in superlather and Arko works perfectly for the task....I'm a convert!!

Funny, I have only used it once and at the time of writing this earlier today I was thinking of how I would add it into my rotation, but all day I have been reconsidering. I like it on its own, but adding the fragrance of my other creams to make super lather with the fragrances I enjoy, could very well turn this into an everyday use item.

 

[NexlevMM]

Funny, I have only used it once and at the time of writing this earlier today I was thinking of how I would add it into my rotation, but all day I have been reconsidering. I like it on its own, but adding the fragrance of my other creams to make super lather with the fragrances I enjoy, could very well turn this into an everyday use item.

This. Arko is a generous lover all on its own. No need to desecrate the holy union by adding another into the mix!

 

[eizan70]

No need to freeze it imo; Arko is a stable soap that will probably last for decades. It is addictive as well so chances are you will use it more and more after some time. It really is one of the top soaps on the planet right now....(since vintage Williams is gone).

Thanks, that is good to know the SWMBO will appreciate me not taking up our valuable freezer space with even more shaving supplies.

 

[miatapaul]

No need to freeze it imo; Arko is a stable soap that will probably last for decades. It is addictive as well so chances are you will use it more and more after some time. It really is one of the top soaps on the planet right now....(since vintage Williams is gone).

I agree that it does not need freezing, plus everything from the freezer would likely taste like lemon ice pops! It is a fairly soft soap as well, not as soft as say Cella, but soft enough that you will use it faster than you might think. I kind of like the scent, but get irritated if I use it as a stick, and just don't love the performance, I prefer a bit more cushion. It is quick to form lather, but I just don't love it enough to keep it in my rotation.

 

[Bejaar]

I was just on my way to begin my shave, but had to comment. One of the notes I picked up was really familiar, but I could not put my finger on it. Reading the ingredients statement I noticed Citronellol is used. I'm assuming this is the "urinal" cake comparison being referred to. More like citronella candle it seems.

 

[jsj_297]

Popped ur Arko cherry with the guy on the package just a smilin at ya!!

 

[eizan70]

Popped ur Arko cherry with the guy on the package just a smilin at ya!!

What can I say. He's such a manly man, come on he's got lather on his face.

 

[dyerjp]

i used Arko for the first time tonight. Wow, I am thoroughly impressed. Excellent lather, great shave, and the odor was not as bad as I was expecting. I need to buy some more now.

 

[eizan70]

I feel you, I had earlier posted that I would probably use it once or twice a week so ive far used it 2 days in a row and was just thinking I would use it tomorrow. This is rare for me, and I don't think I have thy shabby a rotation. TH 1805 and trafalger, dr Harris rose, CF lime, RR Boston tea party, GFT coconut and TOBS avocado. I keep my rotation to seven so I think my RR or TOBS is going the way of the dodo in my house.

 

[bvance554]

I went Arko and have never went back...

 

[Danricgro]

I truly dislike the smell of Arko, terrible smelling stuff. With that being said I still use it regularly. The lather is second to none.

 

[OldGreyGuy]

I truly dislike the smell of Arko, terrible smelling stuff. With that being said I still use it regularly. The lather is second to none.

The curse of Arko, hates it but can't stop using it.

 

[Daiku]

Arko with Corn Husker's as a pre-shave is incredible; a cheap shave that feels like a very expensive shave.

Not that it SMELLS like a very expensive shave, mind you. But that's what AS is for!