I like and use Arko. Performance and price are hard to beat! The scent is not great for me, but it will eventually 'air out' if left in an unopened container.
Ebay has it available from a lot of sellers with free shipping. I got both my puck and my two sticks from a seller there with no hassles. Like you, I hate Amazons shipping policies. Only use them if I can't get it somewhere else since I'm not a Prime member.
That's the alkali degreaser benefit of Arko. You can shave with it AND degrease your engine! I wonder if we as a group can do a group buy of a sea container worth of Arko?
Yes, I have a bunch of it! I think I have 10 sticks and the tub plus the one stick I got in a twist up container! Yeah, I have used it a few times, great stuff!
Arko seems fool prof as far as lathering goes. I also have a tub of Derby soap which has the same scent. im hoping if I leave the lid off it will mellow down as the Arko has cause now it has a more sweet lemon scent and I am much more likely to use it now than when I first got it. the Arko creams are also fantastic and seem to get slept on a bit around here. It appears they have a few new balms out as well. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U5SPER6/?tag=thshde-20 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O5HQCLU/?tag=thshde-20
Never used the soap but I have a couple tubes of their crèmes. I use them occasionally. Not as good as some but much better than Proraso
Arko; you either love it or hate it. Me, I...use it as a travel soap, but when it's gone, I will not be replacing it.