Review (5/5): this stuff rocks!
I have thick coarse stubble. My set up in the past was either proraso, col conk, or kiss my face. I decided to try this arko shave stick based on all the reviews and plus its so cheap. I use the main Merkur everyone has, I think its the 180 and I used a derby blade that had one shave under its belt already.
I purposely didnt shave for about 4 days to get some nice stubble. I also didnt shower before this shave. I wanted to see how it works without the benefit of a hot shower with steam.
I bought a plastic twist up container from west coast shaving for $1.75 and easily put the arko shave stick in there. This device is the icing on the cake, everyone should get this if you get an arko stick. Will make it so much easier to carry when traveling and no mess on your hands either.
I wet my face and applied the stick directly to my face. I then took my badger hair brush, wet it and started rubbing it around. LATHER EXPLOSION. So much lather in fact, there was enough for 3 passes on the brush. I went to town and there was no nicks, cuts and no irritation afterwards. Plus, I can only imagine how long one stick will last if I shave 4 times a week. My guess is a few months at least. Also since I apply directly to my face, there is no bowl or scuttle to mess with and have to clean later. Less mess overall!
The smell. Yes the other reviews are right, it smells like commercial soap. However, this stuff works so well and is so cheap, I could care less. Throw on some cologne or aftershave afterwards and problem solved.
So long Proraso, Conk and all the others. We had fun while it lasted but I have moved on and my face and wallet will be better off for it.
10/18 UPDATE: My shaves are still great and the strong commercial soap smell has greatly subsided, now its just smells like a hint of lemon. So don't be put off by the smell, it goes away.
10/31 UPDATE: Been shaving with this minimum 5 times a week since it arrived. Its barely made a dent in the stick and I have so much lather per shave that I end up not using most of it and just washing it off the brush when I am done. I couldnt shave everyday with conk or proraso or kiss my face because of facial irritation. None with this at all. Plus this will end up lasting longer than the others and thats with me shaving almost everyday.