Palmolive and Tabac are excellent, but the Erasmic gives me mixed results , although I love it's scent. Erasmic smells like black tea to me.
I think everyone should try for themselves and figure out what's best for them. I almost gave up the brush and wet shaving because of the bowl. I was pulled back from the abyss by a single post embedded deep in a thread on a shave forum. Hopefully, this post will change someone else's experience.
Here are some of my favourite sticks: 1) Arko (how can I not love it!) 2) Palmolive 3) Tabac 4) Irisch Moos 5) La Toja 6) Wilkinson 7) Hega (an OLD vintage stick from Sweden which was discontinued many years ago) 8) Barnangens Parba (same as the above) 9) Speick 10) Erasmic
I only have one stick, but I enjoy using it. I melted some Co. Conk Amber and put it in an old Arm and Hammer deodorant stick container. Works great.
Most definitely! Couldn't agree more. It just bothers me when folks imply that if you don't face lather, you're "less than". It was hearing statements like that many years ago that prompted me to insist that, "It's your shave. Enjoy it your way."
Understood which is why in my original comment I said loading directly on the face CAN cure lots of lathering problems, which it can.
I have used arko and DR harris which is fantastic. To be honest though I have grated the arko because I am not to keen rubbing the stick all over my face and then the brush. It can be all that all that rubbing causes irritation sometimes. Still have a palm olive stick I just got sent. Interesting to see how that goes.
I only have three shave sticks: Arko, probably have gone through six of them. Erasmic Mystic Water Really enjoy rubbing the soap on my face and lathering it up. Dave
I have a handful and really like the convenience of sticks in general. My favorite for scent and performance is Speick. A close second is La Toja. Only downfall of the Speick IMO is the lack of a plastic container (or tube) to store it for travel. Tabac rocks on that aspect and is a solid performer but I don't care for the scent.
I have some shave sticks (Arko and Boots) but I prefer them cut up in a bowl. When I travel, I tend to go for creams.
I shaved with Arko yesterday, the skin care was off the charts good! So good, my wife even commented.
Enlighten me good sir, is there much if any difference between the Palmolive cream and soap? I have only used the cream 2 times but love it.
I've only used Palmolive Cool (mentholated) and it is amazing, never used the original cream though although I0m getting around to trying it for about two years now. The stick has a mild , clean "soapy" smell, lathers like crazy. It can take quite alot of water, and has great skin care, although I've heard people say it's drying to the skin ( I presume it is the lack of water). I love the soap and at the price (under 2$ in croatia, i've heard it's 50p in GB) it is definitely in the best bang for bucks category.
One of the better artisan shaving soap makers is Mike's Natural Soaps. All his shave soaps come as Shaving Sticks. Unfortunately he can't keep up with the levels of demand his soap has generated. The soaps are outstanding, but often out of stock.
I noticed that myself. It is great that his products are in such high demand, however as they seem to have orders backlogged I gave up on trying them. At least for a while.
I just tried my first to shave sticks yesterday and today, Arko and Speick respectively. I thought for sure the Arko would wreck havoc with my sensitive mug given the strong scent, but not only did it not irritate my face, but it was one of the best shaves I had. The Speick went more like I would have expected for a stick. Can't say I love the super-scented drier sheet smell, but I could see being conditioned to like it after a lot of great shaves with it like I experience yesterday.
