I did a test lather with my Arko stick today. While it smelled pretty funky in the wrapper, it smelled a lot fresher when I actually lathered it on my face. I lathered it like any shave stick. I wet my face, shook out my brush, and went to town. It lathers very nicely and smells sort of like Lemon Pez to me. I'll shave with it later and see how it is for real.
Somewhere along the way Arko got a bad rap. IMO, it's fine. The smell is clean, lathers well. You can't beat the price.
That's good to hear. I have an Arko shave stick and ice mint after shave on order. The sent is the only "not good" thing I have heard about Arko, so I was not sure about ordering it, but decided to take the chance any ways.
I'm glad I ordered Arko before I read all the bad reviews on the scent I'm not sure I would have ordered it if I had read'em. Luckily I really like the scent and on top of it, it's a top notch performer, so I have many years of shaves stored up in the cabinet. It is really a like or do not like. My SWMBO really really _hates_ it, whereas I'm in the other boat. Luckily for her, she doesn't have to shave with it then.
I don't mind the scent of Arko but think I would like it better if it was 50% less intense out of the wrapper, it does mellow out a bit after a few weeks after being opened up. Unfortunately it smells more like bathroom cleaner to me, if you've used JM Frasers I think that smells like Lemon Pez. Also I find Arko drys my skin this time of the year so I like it better during the Summer.
What makes a good 'Scent' is so subjective. When I read harsh reviews or negative comments about a product's fragrance, I file then away for reference when the opportunity arises to sample a product. Sometimes I can agree with the negative assessments made on certain products (the funk of some new badger brushes, the citrus industrial cleaner scent of Arko), but other times I simply disagree with other's opinions. Arko is not my favorite scented product, and I often joke about it, but if it lathers decently and the price is right for you, go for it! I was told by some that the MdC Fougere scent was hideous & that I should only get the unscented, but I love the fragrance.
Scents are most definitely YMMV. As large as my nose is, it is mostly for show as I cannot smell a lot of scents. My biggest concern when buy any products with a scent is that I work in a scent free environment. It doesn't matter how good or bad the scent is, it needs to dissipate by the time I get to work, seeing as I get to work over an hour early, this should never be a problem. Being in a scent free workplace and personal family issues (Mother-in-law had very bad COPD) however has made me more aware of how other people react to scents. It is for this reason I'm leery of anything with a strong scent. I believe Arko falls into the strong scent category, but based on the price I felt it deserved a chance.
I find Arko to be a bit drying, but nothing a little balm won't cure. As far as the cheap soaps go, Williams and VDH Glycerin are my favs.
With Arko you get a slick, thick, nicely performing tallow based lather for all of 2 dollars and yet we complain about the scent. As if 1 million Arko soap sticks all smell uniformly the same forever . As if generations of Turkish men are at fault from getting a good shave because we have highly trained noses that can't abide a soap smell, because shaving soap should smell like Tahiti ,beer ,coffee or Aztec Princesses . Charge these same guys $60 for soap with a better smell and that won't perform any better and then they feel privileged to buy and it becomes the thing to do and aspire to . Seems like we throw out the gold and do a victory dance when we pick up the iron pyrite.
The performance of Arko stick certainly makes up for any scent issues. But, when I first got it, I found the scent absolutely overpowering, to the point that I still keep it isolated in it's own medicine bottle. But, once it aired out a bit (and it literally scented my bathroom and part of my living area), I was fine with it. And on the plus side, I have yet to see a mosquito anywhere near my bathroom.
=urinal puck. I can't say I like the scent, but I can live with it. I let my stick "air out" several days to tone down a bit. It does produce good lather! I won't be getting another one when this one is gone. The Speick, La Toja, and Palmolive sticks are just too good.
I've never tried La Toja or Speick. But Palmolive is one of my top 5 soaps. Arko is definitely workable to me. If it smelled like a urinal puck, I'd probably pee on it. Williams smells worse IMO.
It is a very good performer. Its slick thick cushioning and very easy to lather and the lather is very stable. BUT it is drying. Yesterday I had a very good shave with an OCMM (1st time) and super lathering Arko with Proraso red cream. The end result had both of their strengths and none of their weaknesses. Proraso's scent, moisturizing, and beard softening with Arko's slickness, cushion, and stability. Not a single cut.
It's funny* some of you find the lather drying. I find it the opposite. That is, not drying at all. Same as any other soap/cream I have. What gives? * Not funny as in "ha ha ha", but merely as "hrm??"
Two reasons I won't be buying Arko for myself: A - the smell 2 - it's a stick; I hate sticks; I don't like face lathering and sticks make it worse. Yeah, I know, mush it in a bowl. See reason A.
