Thread: Candle warmer

Good afternoon everyone,

As I am not ready to plunk down $40+ in the search for warm lather that doesn't result in a ring of hair in my sink, I decided to try a candle warmer. I picked one up at my local Hobby Lobby for $3.99 plus tax. I am using a porcelain apothecary style mug to create my lather, seen below
( Porcelain Apothecary Shaving Mug - White - Straight Razors )
and a plain ol' white bowl from walmart to hold my soap puck. I will experiment with the combination for the next several days and post my results below.

I'll probably ask for a scuttle for my birthday, or Christmas, but in the meantime I thought I would share my results with anyone else that is interested.

-Ty

Another trick is to work up your lather in a bowl and then float it in a sink of hot water while you shower. This will warm the lather nicely.

Rich

“All good things arrive unto them that wait – and don’t die in the meantime.” – Mark Twain

If you don't like the ring of hair around the sink, you can wipe off the razor on a towl...it's what the barbers used to do anyway. Other than that, I use hot water in the sink and float my soap bowl on it.

Before switching to menthol soaps and creams I too was in search of warm lather that didn't leave hair in my sink.

I tried the candle warmer trick the only way for it to work effectively is to use a double boiler method which is basically the same as a scuttle. Otherwise one part of the bowl/mug gets really hot and dries out a spot of your lather. Putting a bowl with water on top of the candle warmer and another smaller bowl inside the big bowl will work though.

An alternative is to just make a "redneck scuttle" basically find bowls or cups that stack fill the bottom one with hot-boiling water and make your lather in the top one.

Amazon.com: Norpro Ceramic Dip Server: Kitchen & Dining

jockeys redneck scuttle

That or date someone that has a kiln and can spin clay

Thanks for all the info everyone.

I still plan on trying the candle warmer tomorrow morning. I did see the redneck scuttle, and I found some at Home Depot, but I didn't care for the colors. I also have a friend who is doing a masters in ceramics at the nearby college. I just sent her an email asking if she, or any other students, want to make some scuttles.

I know that I'll have to tackle the drying out problem, but at worst it's a $4 experiment and my wife can use the candle warmer if I don't. Thanks again,

-Ty

1st day using the warmer went well. I filled my mug with hot water and set it on the warmer while I showered. Once out and ready to shave I dumped out the water and lathered up in the mug, placing it back on the warmer. I went back to the mug several times. I found the lather to be quite warm, but not overly hot. It didn't seem to be damaging the brush, but I don't know what that would look like other than apparent damage.

So far I like it, but it's only been one day. I'll send another post tomorrow.

Now, this is off subject, but any advice on neck passes? I've read other forum posts, but it's still an area that I can't quite get down. Seems like I should go from my adam's apple to my ear, as my hair grows from the ear towards the adams apple, but my razor won't fit that way. Thanks,

-Ty

I have to have hot lather myself. I am not a face lather'r. I use a scuttle. A while ago, SRD had these ceramic flower pot looking scuttles, kiln made. When I saw them, I knew it was a perfect fit for my Potpourri crock pot. It's a little mini crock pot they used to sell for simmering potpourri. It makes an excellent double boiler. I put water in it, put the scuttle in, and make my lather. It keeps it nice and hot while I shave. Keep us posted on your candle warmer thing. I love ideas like that...Welcome to the forum...

2nd day went well also. Nice warm lather throughout my shave.

My only concern is that it could damage my brush. While the lather isn't steaming hot, and I have no evidence of brush damage, I am just concerned.

Anyone have any experience with a heat damaged brush? What should I look out for?

-Ty

Originally Posted by TyGuy

2nd day went well also. Nice warm lather throughout my shave.

My only concern is that it could damage my brush. While the lather isn't steaming hot, and I have no evidence of brush damage, I am just concerned.

Anyone have any experience with a heat damaged brush? What should I look out for?

-Ty

Good choice on keeping your lather warm. The candle warmer should be just as good as what I use "Daisy Cup Warmer". I have used mine for over a year without any brush damage and enjoy warm lather throughout all three passes. You must never to forget to get the brush out of the warmer at the end of the shave. I think there would be damage if you left it on the warmer and it dried out.

bj

Thanks for the info. My only question would be, what does does brush damage look like? Is it visible? Does it affect the brush in some physical way?

Day 3 went well again. The lather is definitely warm when it goes on. If only I could keep my face on some type of warmer. I usually lather my whole face before shaving any of it. So, by the time I get to a new spot the lather is cooling down, but I usually just add a little more to warm it back up.
-Ty