SMF

Clearly there's quite a bit of variance in how we approach shave sticks. Thus: a poll.

The only time I had one was Irisch Moos, didn't have any previous experience with a stick, so I milled it into a bowl, where it works great. However, on one occasion I was able to use a Tabac stick for a week or so, and that worked out quite nicely. My go to Tabac is the puck, as well as the other soaps, MWF, P160. Bottom line in my case, I'm indifferent to stick v. puck or bowl. If it's good soap, then I'm in favor of whatever form it takes.

Only stick I have is an Arko stick. The paper became goo after a couple shaves, so I mashed it into a tin and like the result. Not that I'm totally opposed to using one as a stick, but only if packaged better.

It always struck me as odd that shave stick packaging in general is so lame---I'm talking about the commercial brands now, not the artisans (who usually use quite good packaging). There are exceptions---D.R. Harris, TOBS (though my TOBS shave stick seemed to have stripped its gears long before the stick was used up)---most commercial shave sticks are wrapped in just a little foil.

I don't use them as a stick, rather I always mash them into a cup.

I voted the third option. I can use them, but I've never been keen on them.
Regards,
Gordon

I use it as a stick if I have to and it does perform well. Most of the time I do the Squire rountine and mash mold it into a mug so that's how I voted.

I've mashed every stick I've tried into a plastic or metal bowl. Erasmic, Arko, Palmolive, Valobra...........

The Valobra Shave Stick is one of my favorite soaps, but I grate it up and compress it into an Anchor Hocking one-cup sealed glass bowl.

I would probably use it as a stick if I face-lathered. This method doesn't work for me, however, so I lather in a bowl.

- Murray

Soap meets the stubble. Stubble helps the brush create lather...

Stubble so soft that the blade glides over the skin as if there were no stubble...

What's not to like?

I bought my first shave sticks just recently to take away on holiday, and I really like using them, especially the Erasmic and Palmolive sticks, as they're only around 50-70 pence to buy!

I just use them as a stick.

Ian

I really enjoy using shave sticks as well -- and I don't restrict my use to holidays -- although I must admit that there is nothing as portable, nor as easy to use as a stick. I currently only have a stub of Valbora and a couple of Palmolive sticks. I'll add to my stash as I use up some of my current GFT tubes.

My only experience with a shave stick is Valobra. I enjoyed using it as a shave stick but wound up milling it into a wooden bowl anyways. Tis a good soap that Valobra, wether you use it as a stick or not...

Here's why I like using a shave stick: It's like "instant lather": you just rub it against the grain over your beard, and in the mirror you see your beard with a few score of tiny flecks of soap. But then when you take up your wet brush and brush your beard vigorously, a thick lather appears as if by magic. I really enjoy that little trick in the morning, and particularly when I have a two-day stubble, the shave stick really seems to soften the beard. Of course, the places where my beard is toughest and thickest scrapes off the most soap, which probably helps. But seeing the lather almost instantly emerge as I begin brushing is a treat.

And, of course, newbies will (I believe) find it easier to build a soap lather from a shaving stick than from a puck.

Leisureguy wrote:And, of course, newbies will (I believe) find it easier to build a soap lather from a shaving stick than from a puck.

I think that highly depends on the soap. If we're talking about somthing tripple milled, I agree 100%. If we're talking a glycerin soap, I don't thing it is at all difficult even for a newb. Even on tripple milled soaps, it's only the amount of water, and properly loading the brush that need to be learned.

Some of my favorite soaps come in stick format. But I hate the stick. Putting the soap directly on my face irritates my skin and, besides, the soap never seems to rub off the stick and onto my face well.

So I grate them into a bowl and it's heaven.

drumana wrote:My only experience with a shave stick is Valobra. I enjoyed using it as a shave stick but wound up milling it into a wooden bowl anyways. Tis a good soap that Valobra, wether you use it as a stick or not...

If you like Valobra, but not necessarily enjoy the stick form, you may give AOS Lavender a try. They are very similar, and you might enjoy the scent more.

I have Tabac and Irisch Moos shave sticks (two of each). I keep one in my shaving kit for when I am traveling. I find that it is much more convenient to use those when I am away than anything else.

Edit: I should have mentioned that I face lather regardless of whether I am using a shave stick, a puck, shaving cream, etc.

I don't care for shave sticks. Working the lather on my face tends to cause irritation no matter how soft the brush. I once grated a stick into a bowl to use up the rest of it, but I won't buy another one.

Clint

If it comes in a nice container (Mama Bear or Irisch Moos) then I use it like a shave stick. If it only has a plastic ring (Speick, Valobra and Palmolive) then I mill it into an Anchor glass bowl.