Where and how to purchase...

[LegendofVogel]

Let me start off by saying that I got into wetshaving to save money and reduce irritation. I am proud to say that I have accomplished both ends! However, I am several months in and find myself in need of more product. I have found my go to shave to be Arko (boar lathered), my Weishi loaded with an Isreali Personna (I think, the blade say "Super + Platinum made in Isreal" and came in white and blue packaging, so I think they are Crystal Isreali's which I believe are red Isreali Personna's), followed up with Clubman.

So here is my dilemma. Arko is cheap, but I can only find it in 20 packs. I only shave 3 times a week to cut down on irritation, so one stick would last a very long time, 20 would be crazy. I wouldn't mind so much, but I want to leave room for the occasional change up, so 20 seems to be overkill. Heck I may find something I like better and switch to that. So my question is if there is anywhere I can pick up Arko by the stick? Also I know WCS has the red Personnas in ten packs, but if I am incorrect in thinking those are what i'm using, where can I find those blades/what are they?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Jakpro]

You can get one stick on Amazon, but it will cost $4.65. The shoeboxshaveshop.com has them, the shipping will raise the price. The most cost effective way is to buy the 12+3 on Amazon with free shipping for premium members. You can either give away the extras or plan on using them for several years!

**edit** I just found single sticks on Ebay for $3.79 free shipping.

 

[Klos Shave]

i just ordered the 3.79 one on ebay. Cant go wrong for that cost. It will be my first time using Arko.

 

[j_fro]

Arko- Shaveabuck.com is where I get mine by the stick. 1.99 a stick

 

[Jakpro]

I forgot razorbladesandmore.com. He has a 2 fer deal at $3.49 each and free shipping.

 

[MarcV]

I have found my go to shave to be Arko (boar lathered), my Weishi loaded with an Isreali Personna followed up with Clubman.

Wow, you have done well. I've pretty much purchased all the products you don't mention and compared them carefully only to arrive at your state of wet shaving. (Of course I'm still testing just a few more tools...)

May I make a suggestion? Precede your lathering with a rub from one of those soaps you find in the health and beauty section that prides itself on high glycerin content. Those bars exude liquid glycerin and that's about all you need for a pre-shave treatment. Don't even rinse it off; just let it seep among your whiskers while you prepare the brush for the Arko face lathering ritual. One bar will outlast your Arko stick when used this way and it will reduce the irritation so much that you may begin shaving everyday.

You could try pure glycerin, too, but this soap bar method is less messy and if you don't like my scheme you can always just use it in the shower or at the sink.

 

[zethreal]

Personna 'reds' are in a white/red package, not a white/blue package. They are similar, but not the same.

Israeli Personna Crystal blades: http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Platinum-Double-Israeli-Personnas/dp/B002CE3518
Israeli Personna 'Red' blades: http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Red...le-Edge-Razor-Blades--UK-Packaging_p_769.html

The easiest way to get Arko cheap would be to get 19 of your local friends to start wetshaving & go in on a group buy

 

[KodiakAttack]

I carry Arko by the stick for $3.00. I also have various blades by the pack, not the sleeve so its easy to try out different ones.

 

[LegendofVogel]

Wonderful! Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will probably order some other things, including baldes, to make the shipping worth it, but there seems to be a few places I can get them. Zethreal, Thanks for the packaging clarification, the white/blue one a what I am using. I must have misunderstood my research that told me these were the same blades only rebranded. They don't seem to be a popular blade, but I get 5 shaves off of one.

 

[shave~extacy]

+! on shaveabuck for arko , +1 on the research confusion on the blade repackaging as I thought the same as the op, glad I didnt buy them.

 

[Snargle]

I forgot razorbladesandmore.com. He has a 2 fer deal at $3.49 each and free shipping.

Is there a code for the free shipping?

 

[Jakpro]

Is there a code for the free shipping?

No, you select free shipping option at checkout

 

[oc_in_fw]

You can get one stick on Amazon, but it will cost $4.65.

Speick at westcoastshaving is $5.50. What will that extra dollar do for you? Give you a slightly better lather, and 1000 times better scent. Don't get me wrong, I like Arko and it is a very good soap, but Speick, IMO, is a MUCH superior product.