Do shave sticks have the same consistency as pucks, or are they formulated differently? I want to try a few brands that only sell sticks or creams, and I'm wondering if a stick will be just like a hard soap if I mill it into a bowl.
Stick Question
- Thread starter The Last Chimney
- Start date
The only shave sticks I've used are Arko and they are softer than the 3 soaps I've used (VdH Deluxe, Williams, Godrej Shave Round).
I don't think they are formulated any differently...but each stick has its own characteristics. Arko is soft, Speick and Palmolive are harder. Arko can be shoved into a container if you desire...Speick and Palmolive would likely require milling.
I love stick formats so milling is not something I have ever done to them. I have actually made sticks from pucks.
I love stick formats so milling is not something I have ever done to them. I have actually made sticks from pucks.
I've used my VdH and Godrej pucks just like I would a shave stick, by rubbing them all over my wet face. I saw where someone here posted that they do that and decided to give it a try. It works great.
I'm 99% certain they are the same. I've some doubles of pucks and sticks, and they seem to have the same ingredient. Plus from a manufacturing standpoint it would make sense for them to be the same formula
Now that you mention it, I think most of the stick's I've tried seem to be a little softer on the average. Palmolive, La Toja, Irisch Moos, Arko... all are fairly soft. I don't think it's written in stone anywhere, though, that a stick needs to be softer.
After using a tabac shaving stick and puck for many months, I really can't tell a difference. I face lather with both. 
+1
I think that this is the case --the sticks are slightly softer. That's not to say that they're 'soft', but they do easily and readily deposit a coating of shave soap on the whiskers.
-- John Gehman
