Hello everyone. I was PIF'd an Arco shave stick. It seems to be tallow based. It is just a stick, no applicator or holder, just wrapped in Arco foil. What is the best way to use it? What do you think of it?
Using an Arco shave stick
- Thread starter s1mp13m4n
- Start date
Great soap!! Used it this morning actually!!
As for how to use it, see here: http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40
As for how to use it, see here: http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=40
Arko is quite soft compared to some soaps, so I squished it into a mug and build the lather on the soap. If you want to use it as a shave stick, wet your face and the soap, then rub it all over your beard until a lot of soap has been collected. Then start lathering with the brush, adding water as needed. I find Arko to be a good performer, though it's not one of my favorite scents.
1. tear back the wrapper
2. fill your sink halfway with hot water, place arko and brush in sink
3. follow usual preshave routine
4. apply arko to face like a "soap crayon" swirling on your beard area
5. dip end of soap in water as needed
6. after building a thin translucent layer of soap on your face, begin building lather with a relatively wet brush (not dripping, but not squeezed out completely either
)
7. Enjoy tallowy, Arko-y goodness, good for 3-4 pass shave
2. fill your sink halfway with hot water, place arko and brush in sink
3. follow usual preshave routine
4. apply arko to face like a "soap crayon" swirling on your beard area
5. dip end of soap in water as needed
6. after building a thin translucent layer of soap on your face, begin building lather with a relatively wet brush (not dripping, but not squeezed out completely either
)7. Enjoy tallowy, Arko-y goodness, good for 3-4 pass shave
- Thread starter
- #5
Thanks for the help, I will give this a shot and see how I like it. Where do you buy Arco anyway? I have not seen it around anywhere. Is it one of those "old school" shave soaps....like Williams?
Picked mine up online, have not found it at all in a brick and mortar, maybe you could find it in a Ethnic Market or Shopping Center
Whenever I use a shavestick that's foil wrapped, I only unwrap the top 25% or so. When I fill my shave mug with hot water (to soak my brush), I dip the tip of the shave stick into the hot water. This will soften up just the portion I intend to use. I usually shower while my brush is soaking.
When I'm out of the shower, I rub the shave stick tip liberally over my face and neck areas and then I face-lather with the brush that's been soaked and then shaken to remove excess water.
These Arko sticks give a really nice lather. I am not a big fan of the scent, though. Too much citronella/geranium scent for my taste.
When I'm out of the shower, I rub the shave stick tip liberally over my face and neck areas and then I face-lather with the brush that's been soaked and then shaken to remove excess water.
These Arko sticks give a really nice lather. I am not a big fan of the scent, though. Too much citronella/geranium scent for my taste.
It is often found in the Turkish grocery stores which spring up wherever there is a sizable Turkish immigrant population.
Currently I'm experimenting with "deodorising" an Arko shave stick. Will post results when complete.
BullGoose, Shave A Buck, as well as Amazon and eBay.
For me, the way I like to use it is to slice some thin rounds (thickness of a coin) and press them into my mug and have at it with a wet brush. Rubbing the stick on my stubble doesn't do it for me, YMMV.
I really wanted to love Arko - the lather and shave were both excellent but I couldn't get the smell out of my nose.
If you happen to love the smell of Arko I recommend the new Alt-Innsbruck pre/post shave emulsion. Another disgusting citronella smelling product, nothing like the wonderful Alt splash.
If you happen to love the smell of Arko I recommend the new Alt-Innsbruck pre/post shave emulsion. Another disgusting citronella smelling product, nothing like the wonderful Alt splash.
I don't understand why people make such a big deal about Arko's scent. I think it has a soapy smell, more reminiscent to something you'd use to clean floors than to shave your face. It isn't bad, though.
People tell these hyperbolic stories about a stick of Arko stinking up their entire houses and I just don't see how that can possibly be true. I can't smell it unless I pick up the stick and hold it a few inches from my nose.
People tell these hyperbolic stories about a stick of Arko stinking up their entire houses and I just don't see how that can possibly be true. I can't smell it unless I pick up the stick and hold it a few inches from my nose.
The initial scent is quite strong. I just got a new stick and I can smell it through the bathroom and it wafts out when I open my soap drawer.
That being said it does lessen with time to a much less pungent version.
That being said it does lessen with time to a much less pungent version.
Either rub it all over your prepped beard & lather or grate it into a bowl & lather. I love the lather & the scent.
This stuff is incredible.
This stuff is incredible.
Amazing really. If you dislike the scent that much, jump onto something else.
I love the scent. I just molded mine into a plastic container and use it like any other soap.
(I secretly aspire to be the suave dude on the wrapper...)
(I secretly aspire to be the suave dude on the wrapper...)
I tried it for the first time last night with excellent results! I like it better then Irisch Moos, 
IMO one of the best "bang for your buck" in wetshaving!
IMO one of the best "bang for your buck" in wetshaving!
can purchase it through Bullgoose by the individual stick or at Amazon if you wanna buy an entire case
Just used my Arko stick again this morning, superb as always. I wet my face with water, rub the stick all over my face, then use a short, fan shaped brush - like a Rooney 1/1 - and create tons of lather on my face! Wow, its really amazing what amounts of thick, slick lather I can make with this set up. Its enough for at least four passes, and then the brush is still loaded with so much it would be good for another few passes. From all the tallow soaps I have, I think it gives the best shaves.....
