Thread: scuttle vs bowl bs mug

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

Originally Posted by jillybooty

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).

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:

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:


And this is one of the newer "moss" scuttles:


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.

+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.



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.

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.