Sure, stainless steel does remove such odors, but how on Earth does that imply that it prevents underarm odors?

That's a good point. Though I do think that in a lot of circumstances regular removal of odour is sufficient.

I recently spent a few months in the countryside with very little social contact (a great way to get a lot of deep work done). I would only shower every three or four days and didn't use deodorant. On the first day I smelled fine. By day three or four the accumulation of odour was noticeable. Since returning to civilisation, I've mostly stuck to a shower each day without using deodorant other than when I think it'll be necessary (like if I go out dancing).

+1 to this anecdata. Lack of use of soap and deodorant along with regular showering is fine, and less consumery. I still use deodorant when I’m planning to be in a potentially hot, stuffy place with other people (e.g. car trips), and just take a shower after exercise.

I’d even go further to say I’m convinced that use of soaps and deodorant cause us to generate odor in an even worse way. This would make sense if you want to keep selling a product. We should research this!

And regarding the stainless steel stick, I just stroke my pit hairs with my fingers.

I didn't claim it prevents odor. Which deodorant doesn't do either - you're either masking it with other scents or using an antiperspirant to reduce sweating. It removes odor that soap alone doesn't, which means you don't need to mask your pit smells with perfume or clog your pores with chemicals when used daily. It keeps things in check.

>It removes odor that soap alone doesn't

Assuming it removes onion and garlic odors, how does it follow that it would remove body odor?

I have no idea why there is so much misunderstanding on this thread. Deodorant is NOT just fragrance, it is primarily an antibacterial. It is literally preventing odor. I do not understand why this is so difficult to believe.