I really like the Arko shave stick that was sent to me by Rudy Vey. I would like to get some more shaving sticks. What are your favorites and why? Why is tallow good? Which ones have tallow, glycerin, etc. Any feedback would greatly help me looking for a shave stick. Thanks!
I've only ever tried the Arko shave stick so I can only agree with you. It is amazing how the lather just jumps out of the brush.
My favorite stick so far is Speick. The scent is just amazing IMHO and it shaves better than most soaps. It's a tallow based milled soap. I honestly don't find tallow as critical, though I like a higher percentage of tallow based soaps. You ask if tallow is good. I say yes, but not necessarily better than a well formulated vegetable soap. Glycerin is whole different subject that requires more time to explain than I think is justified in this thread.
My favorite shave sticks are Valobra, D.R. Harris, Ogallala, Speick, Wilkinson Sword, Prairie Creations, and Palmolive. I don't actually have the D.R. Harris, Ogallala, and Prairie Creations shave sticks, but I do have a several pucks of each. They all have tallow, except for Ogallala. I find that soaps with tallow produce a better lather than non tallow soaps, although Trumper's and Ogallala are very good soaps that don't have tallow.
Palmolive shave stick. The German version with tallow. It's my go to soap making a lather to die for.
I like Speick also. Aaron, I believe Bull Goose has IM sticks in stock. I'm thinking of getting one myself. (Hot enough for you?) Alan in Arizona
I would say right now my favorite shaving stick is the Irisch Moos. Not only is the lather a pleasure to work up, it smells so nice. Alan, get yourself one, you'll love it. I also love the Arko stick, but not quite, quite as much as the Irisch Moos.
The only shave stick that I have had the pleasure to try so far was La Toja. But it was an excellent soap! Slick, lots of lather, and left the face feeling very nice. Definitely worth a try.
No love for Erasmic?! I'm tellin' ya guys, get this stick! Whips up a creamy lather, smells great, rinses clean, and leaves your mug feelin' soft, supple, and dashingly smooooooth!
I don't doubt it, but I see from a previous post that you're writing about the old formula Erasmic. Unfortunately, the one stick I got was the new formula, which can just barely be forced to produce a usable lather with plenty of water, elbow grease, and determination. I never throw a soap away, but this one I milled up and mixed with other things to make it better. The only other stick I've tried so far is D.R. Harris Almond. It smells like Parmesan cheese to me, not Almonds, but I don't mind that, and it lathers well. I have Arko, Palmolive, Valobra, Speick, and Tabac sticks all waiting to be tried.
I don't have a favorite shave stick but I used a puck of Kell's Hemp Shave soap like a shave stick and it worked great!
palmolive Hi Guys, Been a wet shaver for less than 2 weeks, but the addiction has started, and the quest to try everything. Bought a Palmolive shaving stick today [in UK, 50p] - bit surprised that they don't have some type of container like a push up deodrant stick. Is this what they are all like. Cant wait to try it tonight! Got some Edwin Jagger Sea Buckthorn Traditional Shaving Soap on order as well to try after reading about it on here. Does the quest ever stop? Cheers, Rob.
I'll cast my vote for Irisch Moos. Of course it's the only shave stick I've used, and I don't even use it as a stick. I milled it up into a bowl and use it like a puck soap. But the lather, shave and scent are great. Clean, kind of soapy, outdoorsy fragrance. I really like it.