Wet Shaving Tutorial: How to Shave with a Shave Stick

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[@darrengray1849]

As a truck driver, Arko is my choice on the truck.

[@thebreakdown706]

Would be interesting to see a razor emporium stick in a form of one of the scents such as the 1955.

[@RHDaveShaves]

Absolutely! DJ: get on that! ;-)

[@brianh2287]

It's a shame artisans aren't onboard with shave sticks, they are the most convenient way to lather at home. Also, Arko is an absolutely amazing high quality product, it generates a spectacular lather. I ❤ ARKO

[@keithosmond5730]

Have you tried the Razorock sticks? Inexpensive (and often on sale on Italian Barber). Maybe not "artisan" but I really like them. Better than Arko, IMO. And six scents.

[@brianh2287]

@@keithosmond5730 Not yet but I did order some not long ago. As soon as I make it through my Arko stick I am going to use a razorock stick. I typically like tallow based soaps.

[@thescentslessshaver8600]

PAA does shave sticks!

[@tristenbarbour8200]

@@thescentslessshaver8600 The only one I’ve seen on their site is atomic age bay rum

[@rauldelarosa2768]

Actually.. ginger's garden does shave sticks..and there are others too. My favorite are ginger's garden shave sticks.

[@rumatadestora]

Well, the Tabac one is 4-5 times more expensive than the Arko, so you can kind of expect it to be better

[@stylishoversixty9459]

I have been wet-shaving for about the past 5 years and along with my old school wet shaving I've gathered lots of shaving knowledge, but I must confess I never heard of a "shave stick" and didn't even know that such a thing existed, thanks for sharing and broadening my shaving knowledge horizon!

[@robertcochran7103]

I've known of shave sticks for some time and tried one or two some years ago. The big selling point is the compact, convenient sizes for travel. There are a variety of brands. I have not tried the two shown here.

[@marzwierink4099]

When I ordered my first DE razor and blades it came with a complimentary Arko bar - I had no clue how to use it. Wish this video existed 10 years ago!

[@RazorEmporium]

Congrats - you're the winner of the Weekly T-Shirt give-away! Please contact us at [e-mail] with your address and size and we will get it shipped out right away! Thanks everyone! Stay tuned next week for another giveaway! - Razor Emporium Team

[@calebdunlap7382]

I initially purchased Arko to use as a pre-shave soap, similar to the Razor Emporium pre-shave soaps, only because Arko is a tallow based soap. I found that Arko gives a phenomenal shave. When used in conjunction with a REX soap however, the shave is out of this world. Gillette red tip with a perma-sharp blade makes comfortable work of up to three days of growth.

[@dalecrummie5818]

This is what i used when I was in the Army along with a Schick Injector razor as my field shave kit, never used a brush only had a wet palm instead.

[@joelephross874]

Been wet shaving for 50 years but learned something new from this video. I have never used a stick before but will definitely buy one and use for travel - have always hated packing a tub. Thank you.

[@lmt200ish]

I use one of these for camping, motorcycle traveling ect. Space saving and no worry about leaks/mess from heat while camping or on the back of the bike.

[@stevied8855]

Hi Matt, I mould an entire stick into either a mug or glass terrine using both thumbs. Then use it like a soap puck. Lasts for months and you can create a great lather from the receptacle before putting on your face. Stevie in Scotland.

[@keithosmond5730]

Why not just buy a puck, if you aren't going to use it like a stick? Arko, Tabac, and most other sticks are also available in puck form.

[@stevied8855]

@@keithosmond5730 I bought a box of Arko Sticks for £10. I give them away to people i have introduced to wet shaving and helped them buy the right things as new starters. The remaining ones i mould into a receptacle i like.

[@10floz30minutes]

@@keithosmond5730 depends what one already knows and what one already has, and maybe on price. I still do have a piece of Arko shave stick, but I never anymore use it by rubbing on face. I do not really need to have it in the shape of a puck, since I just slice off thin pieces and use for a bowl lather.

[@MrE0919]

Any chance we'll shave a Razor Emporium branded shave stick in the future?

[@RazorEmporium]

🤔 perhaps

[@noregretsguitars]

Great instructional video! I put my Arko stick in a 2oz Twist Up Shaving Soap Stick Container. It works perfectly. Thanks again for these instructional videos.

[@chubs2893]

Best thing about Arko... It will soften thick beard hair much better than almost every other soap on the market. I have a lot of different soaps but find myself always coming back to the Arko stick, because I have really thick hair. Only one better to soften the beard (but more expensive and harder to find) Dr. Dittmar shave soap.

[@RazorEmporium]

Thanks for sharing

[@10floz30minutes]

Amazing claim! The only way for someone to know is try and make comparison shave.

[@bfregosi]

I've used Arko sticks for at least 10 years now and I prefer them to any other shaving soaps or creams. I do use other soaps just to change things up but I believe Arko outperforms every soap I've ever used. The scent is not that great, but certainly not off putting. They are dirt cheap (I think the first one I bought cost me about a buck at a Turkish grocery nearby) and last forever. I frequently shave in the shower and I only use Arko then. I bring a Marvy shaving mug (rubber), a razor, and an Arko stick in with me but no brush. I find that I can rub my face with the stick and make a good lather with just my hand. (I try to minimize what all I need to bring into shower.) I fill the mug with hot water to rinse the razor. Making later like this tends to clog the razor more and needs frequent rinsing. The Arko lather is super slick and leaves my skin very soft and smooth for hours after shaving. I prefer to store my Arko in plastic tubes like Mama Bear and Ogallala sticks come in. I'll take a Phillip's head screwdriver and push it through the center of the stick and then load it over the plastic screw inside the tube that raises the soap like deodorant sticks. Other sticks that you should try are from Ogallala Bay Rum and Speick. I would also like to try Palmolive. When I first went back to wet shaving, my had wife brought some stuff home from her grandfather's house when he passed and one of the things she got was an old metal Colgate shave stick tube. I didn't even know what is was until I started using Arko. Unfortunately the Arko sticks are too big in diameter or I would love to store them in this tube. A bit more classy than plastic and makes for a good display.

[@JesseNeckred]

Excellent choice for traveling.

[@allthegoodnamesareinuse]

I like both Arko and Tabac sticks. They are (as you mentioned) great for travel because they're compact and so easy to use, and not generally a huge deal if you leave one somewhere or lose it. Some folks greatly dislike how Arko smells, but I always thought it smelled fresh and clean. Plus it lathers so easily it's kind of hard to find fault in it!

[@patriciamassie8505]

I had no idea those existed, that was really cool to see.

[@gavinmiller10]

good seeing you at the store the other day!

[@EcstaticTemporality]

I appreciate this content. I just started wet shaving about a month ago. Your videos have helped me understand the approach and products to use. I got my 34c from you all. Thanks!

[@TheCaribert]

I really enjoy the TOBS Sandel Wood shave stick! Slick, smooth and lathers well! You should try it!

[@johnr3265]

Great instructive vid, Matt. La Toja is a staple as well, Speick too. Cheers!

[@jayaruh47]

Very good, Matt. I love shave sticks. I use the La Toja, Arko, TSD, Derby, Wilkinson Sword, GZD Berber, and even shave sticks I made using empty deodorant containers filled Col. Konk and another with Jeeves of Hudson Street. I love the Tabac. I always replace my Tabac puck when used up. I must get me a stick of Tabac.

[@RazorEmporium]

Thanks for sharing!

[@bacconbaccon4851]

What a crazy coincidence! Today the Rex Konsul from the wicked edge discord passaround (thank you again btw) arrived to me and the person that was before me included an Arko shave stick!

[@RazorEmporium]

Awesome

[@kevinwine1985]

What can I say? Another great video!! Just received my Rex sentry slant razor, so excited about using it tomorrow!! I think next time I order, I’m gonna grab the Arko!!

[@RazorEmporium]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@robertcochran7103]

Thank you for posting this excellent tutorial. I did try one or two shave sticks some years ago, but not those brands. I truly appreciate seeing the Rex Sentry and the demonstration of loading it. It was interesting that you did not use any pre-shave soap. The bar is right there in front of you. It brought a smile to me. As you mention, shave sticks are very convenient for travel. I no longer travel for business but if I did, I would probably send a package ahead of me with my shaving stuff to location I was staying. No need to lug it around in my bags, just let the Post Office do it for me. Thank you again for a really interesting and informative video.

[@williammurphy1756]

Great video Matt. Never tried Arko I took Tabac with me on a trip and it worked great for me. I used one of my favorite aftershaves and the Tabac did not interfere with the aftershave scent. I did use the PAA travel cube 2.0. I will be using it on my next trip later this year. Have a great weekend. 👍

[@RobertsClassicShave]

Wonderful 👍

[@rayban-usa5482]

Please make Rex shave sticks in push or twist action tubes in all available scents. Thank you!

[@Rood67]

I have often wondered about the shave sticks, and what companies actually make them. Gleaning a lot of knowledge from the other comments to this video. Thank you for everyone that is mentioning other companies.

[@keithosmond5730]

Razorock makes a stick in six different scents. Inexpensive, usually on sale on Italian Barber's site, and better performers (IMO) than Arko (which I quite like, so that's not a slam against Arko).

[@thor4odin749]

I had a few Arko sticks and a few Derby sticks...used a cheese grater, shredded them up fine, pressed them hard into a used shave soap tub using waxed paper and a few drops of water. Works better in the tub with a brush, than using as a stick alone for me....

[@TheWilkReport]

I've used the Arko and Derby shave sticks, although I also have Palmolive and Tabac shavw sticks I've yet to get to. I concur that the Arko and Derby don't prep the face as well as Tabac. I use pre-shave soap or oil when I use those brands of shave stick.

[@keithosmond5730]

Sticks are great. I always use one for travel (I store them in repurposed pill cotainers), and periodically at home - esp. if in a hurry, as less clean-up. I have seven of them; the Razorock sticks are great and almost as low cost as Arko. One thing I do that you didn't: I dip the tip of the stick before applying it to the face. It helps when applying the soap to the face, esp. with Arko.

[@RazorEmporium]

Great tip!

[@ersgtr3421]

Old Arko. It’s the Toyota Land Cruiser of shaving.

[@dalecrummie5818]

I used a Palmolive shave stick and a Schick Injector for my field shave kit, didn't have a brush so a wet palm worked well enough, yes that was awhile ago.

[@Shaverboy516]

Loved the video Matt, Arko smells like Ivory soap and lemon, I know Razorock makes shave sticks too:)

[@guylewis7418]

I really like the Arko shave stick. I don’t mind the smell; to me it just smells clean. Smells are very subjective, however.

[@artawesome]

I shave in the shower, so I can see this being more convenient than a shaving pucks and bowl.

[@thescentslessshaver8600]

I wish there was a place to buy an Arko tshirt with the guy’s face on it!

[@ersgtr3421]

That would be great

[@CarolinaCheif]

The Nivea shave stick works well

[@RHDaveShaves]

Very nice, Matt, thank you! I have both the Arko and the Tabac sticks, and I agree with you: the Tabac is the better option, both for fragrance and shave quality. It's one of my "go tos" when I want a close, drama-free shave. Well done!

[@RazorEmporium]

Right on!

[@okiedokie_cool]

Nice shave Matt. Big fan of Arko and La Toja shaving sticks here. I have used the one by Muhle Grapefruit Mint as well but not impressed with its lather quality. Although, the lather it produces is quite slick. I was also sent a sample of Palmolive (Tallow) green shaving stick. That was just brilliant. I am quite keen to try Tabac and Razorock.

[@alessandrociceri331]

Symply nice and easy

[@3stooges824]

I really to get one of your badger brushes

[@beyondthe90]

I love the Mama Bear shave sticks. The glycerin base just feels like it gives that little extra slickness and the lather to me is great. Yeah they cost a little, but it is worth it to me. I can get Arko to pop but it takes alot of extra work to end up needing almost a full additional pass to get close. Until this video I wasn't aware Tabac did a stick.

[@RoderickGMacLeod]

The one stick that has really amazed me is the one from Nivea. They were marketing it as a body shave stick not intended for use with a brush but performance with a brush is super impressive. Heaps of lather, great slickness and residual slickness. Like all Nivea products, skin just loves it. Post shave feel is fantastic. Muhle has a stick I've never seen reviewed. LEA and LaToja from Spain are both excellent value when purchased from Europe. The quality of shave for the dollar on them when purchased in North America is lacking. The LaToja has the classic briny scent that the cream in a tube, now discontinued, had. It's super clean and fresh. Both the LEA and LaToja sticks are excellent travel options. The discontinued Palmolive Classic shave stick was also great. The Speick and Wilkinson Sword sticks look like the same thing with different dye. Comparison of those would be interesting.

[@metalsoso5460]

Another popular one is the Speick shave stick.

[@terrym1065]

Nice one Matt💈💈 Shave sticks are not carried by most retailers that I've been to, mostly have to order and that's a shame because the ones I've bought have worked perfect. Palmolive was my favorite but no longer available dang it and way expensive on the Bay. I used my Envoy yesterday with Old School soap/splash and a Wizamet blade, still glass smooth this morning😉 Thanks.

[@PHX8637]

Morning Matt. I'm not a big fan of using shave sticks. I have use one while I was traveling though. I use a Palmolive stick that is very similar to the stick of day gone by. I haven't used anything else. Mainly because I am a bowl latherer. Thanks for the demo. This shows another wet shaving experience available out there.

[@RazorEmporium]

Thanks for sharing!

[@jeffpalmer9149]

Nice review. Can you do a Phoenix Shave Stick review as well? For travelling at the moment I use a travel skuttle and a sample soap. However the stick looks like it will save some space in my dop kit. Thanks again.

[@ShaveCho]

Great video! I tried Arko just today , not happy with it. Didn't like the smell of it, the lather wasn't so good. I will also try Műhle Sandalwood Shave Stick and then Tabac Shave Stick as well. I bet Mühle will be my favourite one but we'll see.

[@RazorEmporium]

Fair enough!

[@mentatphilosopher]

You can watch Buster Keaton use a shave stick and portable razor in the silent film Three Ages about 23-24 minutes in (available on the Kino Lorber YT channel) where at a restaurant when his female companion starts doing her makeup at the table, he starts shaving. Different technique although he is closer in time to when it was more common.

[@getbounced_8702]

Please could you do a video on the Gillette 1920s gold pocket edition No. 501-B set. I have just purchased this from ebay and would like to know more about it. Many thanks

[@Alex00789]

What is your opinion on transparent shaving gels for defining your beard(shaving the cheek linrs snd the neck)? It seems advantageous since you can define your lines very well.

[@CocoboloCowboy]

Acko is cheap, and works WELL.🏆 Lots of bang for 💵🏆

[@stuartbender236]

Hi Matt, I have not used shave sticks and was wondering if there is a plastic container to hold them, once opened. It seems to me that the aluminum foil wrapper for the Arco would disintegrate after a couple of shaves. Other than that it looks like a great way to shave while on travel - I have used hotel bar soap when on travel, but that tends to dry my face. This will be a much better replacement. Thanks!

[@AliAkbarzadeh6]

Hello dear Matt! Have you ever thought about the idea of having an Open-Comb Double-Edge Safety Razor in your REX line? ...

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes

[@BartBuzz]

Matt, how would you describe the blade exposure/feel of the Sentry compared to the Rex Ambassador? I rarely shave above setting 2 on my RA and usually do any follow-up passes or pickups on the lowest setting. Shave sticks are great for travel. But I prefer shave creams like TOBS and Trumper for face lathering. Nice tutorial BTW.

[@RazorEmporium]

Night and day. Sentry has no feel.

[@JT-nf9tk]

I have used Arko in puck form and have always gotten great headshaves with it. I won't use the stick because you can't seal it and therefore, it's always exposed to air. However, I used the Tabac Stick and it's a great product. I have never had a bad shave with it.

[@slimbrady6691]

They make little reusable containers for it.

[@JT-nf9tk]

@@slimbrady6691 They should just get rid of the foil packaging and place it in a stick dispenser. I don't want to fiddle with a stick to place it in a dispenser. I think Arko would be best served by acting on my suggestion. I have used there puck, but the container is tiny so that the soap is at the top of the container. Thy need to make the container little larger to make it easier to load brush.

[@Scott_Stone]

I fucked up today. I decided to try some Gillette Gel with my Henson. Got 3 cuts in one shave. Literally the first cuts of the year. All to save a minute on preparing a lather. Don't be like me.

[@rsolsjo]

Arko is an..acquired scent. 😂 Can't stand it myself, only soap I had to get out of my house, haha. But Palmolive is a great alternative if you can find it. I really wish Tabac would release their other scents, like Craftsman, as shaving soaps and sticks.

[@nanapop9226]

It reminds me of Ivory soap. Takes me back to childhood, when that's what everybody used.

[@rsolsjo]

@@nanapop9226 Smelled like plastic and urine to me 🤢

[@Indyshaver]

How about a Razor Emporium shave stick?

[@tikrais]

Jikoryen sticks (also from Turkey) are half the price of Arko 😱. I'll try to get them on upcoming vacation in Turkey.

[@neighbortim]

Wasn't the King Emporium soap available in a shave stick? Maybe that was just a dream.

[@RazorEmporium]

When it debuted yes. That was the whole point. PAA no longer makes that however

[@robm6772]

Pretty simple Lather ! Forget the Bowl

[@franksturniolo5480]

I've been looking for something to travel that's TSA allowed. The Tabac comes in a plastic tube, but the Arko does not. What size is it, and how would I wrap it to throw back into my dopp kit?

[@tikrais]

I have pushed it into a 50ml syringe with a head cut off as a DIY solution. Some retailers offer bottom twist containers.

[@keithosmond5730]

I use a repurposed pill container. (I have a large one that I use for my brush, as well - a "benefit(?)" of a chronic illness like diabetes; plenty of pill bottles to re-use.)

[@user-fb2im3eq6j]

Envoy or Sentry is more gently? Anyone have both?

[@RazorEmporium]

Sentry is blade neutral envoy is slightly positive. Both are very efficient

[@cool9282]

Omg you forgot the Speick shave stick 😮

[@paulking4702]

1955 shave stick plz matt

[@sellitman]

There doesn't seem to be a cap for the Arco. I would imagine if you were traveling you would have a wet mess to stick in your DOP kit?

[@RHDaveShaves]

There are sealable tube options out there that address that issue...

[@keithosmond5730]

I store mine in a repurposed pill bottle. Perfect for travel. And the stick doesn't really get that wet or messy as just the tip is making contact - and the wet soap transfers to your face. Unless, like Matt did, you reapply it while you have lather on your face (something I've never needed to do).

[@ToMaToEsGrOw]

Hello.

[@paulogama5782]

Or you visit cuba and leave it in the hotel bath and for them is a real treasure....😅😅😅

[@chuckwiderstrom8994]

👍

[@3stooges824]

Here

[@normalkullanc1993]

Arko man is Murat Soydan not you 😂

[@10floz30minutes]

Too messy and sloppy rubbing stick on face and producing the lather on the face. Soap suds fly off into different directions and drippiness on hand and fingers and sometimes on face. Shaving stick can EASILY be sliced and a piece or pieces put into a bowl to use either for a bowl lather this for a face lather.

[@alexfranchuk9608]

In Australia they still sell old style and formula of Palmolive shave sticks in the supermarkets. And they are very cheap too.