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I haven't even had my first razor yet but I wanna be prepared before I get it this christmas. I've been doing a lot of research and I need to know something. What exactly is a scuttle? and how does it compare to bowls and mugs?
As a side question: How can I get a cheap mug, bowl, or scuttle? most of the ones for shaving are fairly expensive (for the budget of a 15 year old).
The "old school" scuttles and the newer "Moss" style scuttles are a little different. The old school scuttles were similar to a coffee mug with a large mouth teapot type spout and an additional strainer platform on top. You would put your shave soap on the top of the strainer with hot water in the cup bottom. Wet your brush through the spout opening then build your hot lather. The newer "Moss" style scuttles are similar to a teapot with a closed dish on the top (no strain holes). You'd fill with hot water like the old school but you could use creams, soaps, or a combination of the two in order to build you lather. The enclosed bottom portion with the hot water would in turn keep your lather hot longer. The old school style has more water area exposed to room temp and will cool off quicker. Cant say anything about bowls since I haven't used one yet. If you go on e-bay and search for shaving scuttle a pretty good variety of the old school will pop up and there's a guy who makes and sells the newer "Moss" style for between 15-20 bucks (that's where I got my first 2 scuttles).
Hope this helps,
Michael
A scuttle is an old-fashioned shave mug that was commonly used where you did not have running hot water. You boil water and pour it in to heat/wet the brush and soap. You can view one here:Quote:
Originally Posted by jillybooty
Shaving Lather Mugs and Bowls
Lots of people enjoy "warm" lather and others don't care so much. Chances are you will have a few different options once you are hooked into the habit of shaving with a striaght or old Double Edge (DE).
I'd start with just a plain mug of your choice from Walmart, etc. No need to spend a lot on anything. Get a few different soaps and a bowl and a shave cream or two and then go from there. Use any ceramic bowl you have, it will work just fine.
You can also just make lather on your face or hand as well. Check out the Wiki page and you'll find lots of information about all of these types of things. (The Wiki button at the top of the site...)
Hope this helps.
Scuttle is IMHO, a vessel with a spout big enough to insert your brush into (thus soaking the bristles) with the handle resting on the spout, with a small dish atop (fixed or seperate) to whisk lather in.
I've yet to use a scuttle, but it looks to me like the superior method if you have the room for it.
I've used a mug and a dish.
Mug stays warm better, but is a little big and high-walled for me (have to kind of stick my fingers holding the brush into it to whisk). Bowl makes faster lather and is better size, but doesn't hold heat nearly as well.
If cost is an issue, get a dish, otherwise get a scuttle. Mug is kind of in between by my estimation and doesn't get enough benefits of the scuttle to counter the weaknesses.
I'm hoping to pick up a small scuttle in the near future.
Like said above, the scuttle has a lower part like a double boiler to hold hot water, and keep the top "bowl" part warm so the lather stays warm while you shave.
Here is one of the "old school" scuttles:
http://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/s...es/scuttle.jpg
And this is one of the newer "moss" scuttles:
http://leisureguy.files.wordpress.co...wn-scuttle.jpg
If you're on a budget and don't mind it being a little "redneck" you can go to the garden center at Walmart and pick up a "self-watering" planter. This is what I have and it works great. And the water won't seep through into your lather. I did a test and let it sit overnight, and only a few drops of water came through. The bottom part of the "bowl" isn't glazed, so it has a little texture to it, great for whipping up suds ;) Cost me about $3.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/...e00ae7b4_m.jpghttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/...f7f31331_m.jpg
+1 to the redneck scuttle.
I got one about 3 weeks ago and the lather has stayed plenty warm for 3 passes plus touch ups. At $3 how can you go wrong.
:gl:
Lu
I used to use a vintage glass barber mug and just recently switched to a (not so plain) big ceramic mug my sister made me (pottery + painted), with a mug warmer: made all the difference. Stays hot and etc... cost me about 15$ all in all.
When you start out, beware of the overly specialized "barber/shaving" apparel... most of it is over priced IMO. 40-70$ shaving mug? Gimme a break!
A little imagination can go along way. The dollar store will contain items you can use as a soap bowl, or a bowl as a lather bowl. Or you can spend obscene amounts of money to get the same result. :tu
I used to just use a colorful glazed cereal bowl from Walmart but I saved up some money (college student) and bought a pretty Edwin Jagger bowl. When I am home I use a bowl an ex girlfriend made me at a paint your own pottery place. Anything works.
great idea for the paint your own pottery type stuff. We have one of those here in spartanburg and I think im going to whip up a nice shaving bowl/mug. Thanks all around for the help. I agree with all of you about not worrying about getting something too shaving specialized. I'm not in this for the nostalgia so having pictures of brushes, strops, or ships is stupid to me.
I lather in a normal shaving mug which I keep on a $4 candle warmer from The Hobby Lobby. It keeps my lather and brush warm during the shave.
I will continue to look for a redneck scuttle, but I am particular about everything in my bathroom matching, so I must find a white one. So far I haven't had any luck finding an all white one.
Hey Jillybooty, you can also try what I have been doing. I use a large stone ware mixing bowl and a matching large soup bowl. Put the bowl within a bowl anf fill them in the sink with hot water with the drain on the sink plugged. Let that is while in the shower, when done drain and refill with more hot water. Next, only fill the sink and mixing bowl wth hot water, and leave the soup bowl empty, for mixing and whipping lather. A lazy mans scuttle. It works for me, and thought I would share. I do want to purchase a old school and moss type scuttle though. I'm seriously considering buying a red neck scuttle, first though, just due to funds or saving them. I hope they make them in black. Good luck in what ever you choose.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyclelu
I have looked for these.....must be out of season here :boohoo: None to be found......
Some of us make lather directly on our face. It works just fine, too.
Straightrazor 13 I started today your way, works great
I'm going to try all of the various cheap methods on here to see what I like before I do anything more expensive. Maybe I will realize that I don't need something more than a self-watering pot after all.
Inexpensive starter kits? They have these at Wal-Mart
Walmart.com: Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set, 2.5 oz: Personal Care
and Amazon has the same item for about the same price.
I'm getting one for Christmas.:)
Yeah my dad saw some of these at wal mart today. I'm pretty sure im getting one for christmas as well. My dad's way of thinking is that I will get the best razor we can afford and a beginner starter kit. Then maybe for my birthday I could get a nice brush etc. This way I won't get a bunch of medium quality things all at once.Quote:
Originally Posted by Menhir
I just want to mention another good idea, for lazy man or cheap scuttle is, a ceramic dip chiller. They are a bowl within a bowl design. Normally you would put ice in the bottom bowl, and your favorite dip in the top bowl. Used as a lazy mans scuttle, you use your hot water on the bottom and you mix/whip your S/C and or S/S in the top bowl. This time a year, you will find them in assorted holiday themes. I just bought one at are local supermarket. That is where I would start looking for one of these, or the cooking section of your local department store. I really like the hoiday themes, but I would love one if they would just make it in black.:w When I bought the dip chiller yesterday, I thought of this thread, and couldn't wait to comment back. Well I hope this idea is a usefull one? Good luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Menhir
Bowl: Good size imho, but doesnt hold heat at ALL. Either keep it in a simmering kettle or shave with cold lather.
Soap: Seems fine, lathers as well as the other stuff I've tried. Smell is almost not there
Brush: Works fine, doesn't shed too much, but not at all luxurious. When I tried my badger after using that it was like, "Wow... this badger is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo smooth".
Fine for the first few weeks shaving though. The soap is the best thing out of the kit imho, so I'd aim to have replaced the bowl and brush before the soap runs out.
For Col. Conk Soap, I just use the plastic it comes in. 30 seconds swirling on top of the soap and 30 seconds on my face. I use a mid line pure badger brush. I have to lightly dip the edge in water to enhance the lather during the application to the face.
A candle warmer is a good idea for mugs as the colder months can quickly steal the heat from the mug. While shaving, you want to keep everything else warm to make the shave comfortable throughout.
I soak the brush in a 7-11 cup that has hot water in it and I rest the Col. Conk soap container on top of the cup (it floats a little). This keeps it warm while I shower.
Mugs, bowls, scuttle, work well with creams. But you can always use your hand to whip up a lather as well.
Lots of good ideas in this thread.
Pabster
Bjanzen i had to go to several Wal-Marts before I found it. When I asked at the store near me I got the deer in the headlight look from the employees. You may want to ask the store manager when they will have them.Quote:
Originally Posted by bjanzen
It has been worth it as it keeps the lather very warm/hot, depending on the water temp.
:gl:
Lu
Thanks.... I tried at the "best" garden center and they didn't have any. May try the "dip chiller" posted earlier. That may be it.....Quote:
Originally Posted by cyclelu
Thanks, Barry
I know this is a older thread, but better late than never. I finally got around to posting some of my bowls, mugs, and lazy-man scuttles. I hope you all find this post useful? :tu From top to bottom. 1. Oneida stone ware lazy-man scuttle. Mixing and soup bowls. 2. Corning ware lazy-man scuttle. Giant mug and small serving bowl. 3. Holiday themed lazy-man scuttle. Dip chiller set.
Could you share where you bought each of those?
No problem TyGuy. 1. The Onieda stone ware, mixing bowl - $29.99, and soup bowl - $12.99, was purchased at Kohls department store. 2. The Corning ware giant mug - $12.99, and small serving bowl - $7.99, & 3. the holiday themed dip chiller - $8.99, were all purchased at one of my bigger local supermarkets Topps. Stone ware bowls can also be purchased at other department stores as well. Try, Wal-mart, K-mart, Target, and Beds, Baths and Beyond. Also,try your large local supermarkets, esp. for the dip chiller. You also, don't have to purchase stone ware, stone ware is more expensive than glass ware bowls. Glass ware is great, or ceramic for saving money. The onieda stonware is about as much as a Georgetown scuttle, { which I will soon be purchasing shortly after christmas} at $45.00. I know for a fact that a true scuttle will out perform a lazy man scuttle any time, any where. Due to the fact that the true scuttle, the water inside is not exposed to the outside air, like the bowls. It will retain heat longer than the lazy-man scuttles. The purpose of the lazy man is to save money, time, and using something convient. Try looking in your cuboard, for a mixing and soup bowl, just make sure you ok it with the wife or little lady first. Talk about convient. Well good luck, shoping.:gl:
At the moment I use a cereal bowl, dark colour inside, heat it in the microwave for a minute and hey presto! Cheap as chips!
James
I've got youse guys beat. $1.50: http://images.nerdgrind.com:9000/ima...-latte-cup.jpg
The last picture (for $1.50) didn't post correctly, unless I am the only one that can't see it.
I still have to ask my friend from church that is a ceramics masters student to make me a scuttle, or else just break down and buy one.
I could have asked for one for Christmas, but I asked for a new razor instead. I can't wait until Dec 26th to try my Bergisher Lowe! :beer2:
I've used a modern scuttle (hot water resevoir that keeps an upper lather bowl warm), and though it does feel nice having a warm lather, I've always had much better results with a basic bowl. It's not difficult to hydrate a well built lather, but the more heat you introduce to it, the quicker it dries. I'll let my brush soak in the bowl (lately, I've used a small fruit bowl I found that the supermarket that fits my brush nicely) in HOT water while I shower or strop my straights. I'll dump the water that cooled a little and shake out my brush pretty well before loading it with soap, adding a little dot of cream and whipping up a thick lather adding the bare minimum of water (a matter of drops). once the lather hits that sweet spot, I drizzle a little liquid glycerine into the mix and whip it into what I imagine Jesus would shave with. The lather is still warm when I first later up, but by my final pass is a little cool. The Lather staying wet and not breaking down outweighs the benefit of being warm in my opinion, but like I said before, it's not hard to hydrate a lather. I still enjoy using a scuttle in cooler weather when I have time to spare and enjoy a long shave, but for the daily morning routine, simplicity is key.
I use an unglazed 'stoneware' bowl - I find that the rough edges of the bowl build a nice lather.
With this said, I often just build a lather in the bowl that my shaving soap is in; wet the brush until it is 'full', give it a shake to get rid of excess water and swirl it around inside the soap bowl until the lather is built. Makes lather quickly and I just leave the excess in the shave bowl to dry. I'd like a scuttle but I have the feeling I'd never use it since I hardly ever use the dedicated shaving bowl that I have.