Thread: Scuttles vs. Bowls vs. Mugs

I'm rather new to this forum(just joined today as a matter of fact),and am quite a novice at this.
Quite frankly,up until last month,I wasn't even aware of the existence of shaving scuttles.Saw it on Classicshaving.com,and was quite intrigued.
I wear a "short-boxed beard,"and,as a consequence,do SOME cosmetic shaving.
Usually,I shave with a BIC disposable razor,and lather up with Williams shaving soap from a mug,after washing the areas to be shaved with Dove soap 3 times.
Grandpa(d.1951)had a mustache,but shaved with a straight razor.
Pop(b. 1920) always uses a safety razor or an electric.
I've had my beard since 9/1/70,but,on occaision,would have a barber shave me with a straight razor.However,since 1983,the barbers in Ohio are NOT allowed to shave.(The AIDS scare.)
So,I'm starting to learn how to use Grandpa's razors.
The upshot is,is there any advantage to using a scuttle as compared to abowl as compared to a mug when you lather up?

That is so far down the road. Learn the razors, the techniques, and the prep. The rest will come with time and experience.... including a scuttle which I probably will buy. I use a Scottish Quaich and it works for me.

I forgot one thing.... Welcome aboard!

I love my Moss scuttle. I haven't quit using it since it arrived. Warm lather all the time is simply awesome. Now what to do with that bunch of bars of soap in mugs that are sitting in my closet......hmmmmmmm.

Have fun and welcome as well. Did you say Ohio............

Lynn

Welcome! Great that you can shave with your grandfather's razor!!

Everyone develops their own technique and preferences about where to build a lather ... heck, some people do it right on their faces! If you get a soap, you may be (like me) using a combo of the soap container and your face. For creams ... you need somewhere to lather. Your size of brush may dictate that in part (bigger brushes may not work well in a mug; bowl only ... smaller brushes anywhere).

I lather with room temperature water, so I'm not part of the crew who go to all sorts of lengths to keep their lather warm ... the scuttle is one of those options ... but you may really enjoy the warmth of the lather, so to each his own.

Enjoy the shave!!

I wouldn't hesitate on soaps, scuttles, etc because they'll serve you well regardless of your straight shaving experience. My trying to convert someone to shaving right was only 50% successful, as he couldn't even use a DE well (lack of patience) but after going back to the Mach 3(which will in time feel like crap in comparison to a good hunk of metal) he still swears by the prep, mug and brush combo.

Welcome Hans!
The theory behind using warm lather is that the hairs stay relaxed instead of retracting in shock when cold lather is put on. A relaxed hair can be cut off nearer the root.
I have been using scuttles for a long while now and would not want to do without one.
Greetings
oskar

Originally Posted by oskar

Welcome Hans!
The theory behind using warm lather is that the hairs stay relaxed instead of retracting in shock when cold lather is put on. A relaxed hair can be cut off nearer the root.
I have been using scuttles for a long while now and would not want to do without one.
Greetings
oskar

And ........ it really feels good.......

Lynn

Yeah - the technical details notwithstanding, it feels great. Thats the best reason in my books.

Si

I'm not anti-scuttle, but just for a different point of view.... I prefer my mug to my scuttle mainly because I don't often use soaps and prefer not to build lather directly on the face. I also find I don't make as much mess with a mug. As I became quicker with my shaving the warm lather became less of an issue for me too, because I only lather my face once at the beginning when it's still warm (I use warm water for the against the grain pass).

But I do break out the scuttle occasionally, and it is nice with the right soap.

James.