Thread: Confused about scuttles

What is the purpose of a scuttle? I know you put the hot water in the bottom and the soap goes in the top, but why? Is this simply something they did back in the day because of plumbing etc.? Do they serve any purpose today as compared to a mug?

I have 2 scuttles and don't know what to do with them. This is why i ask.

Two types of scuttles out there right now. The old scuttles with the holes in the top part were for cake soap. The scuttle was used as hot water wasn't on tap everywhere back in the day. The holes allowed water to drain from the soap. Hot water from the kettle would be put in the bottom, the brush would soak in the side hole, and cake soap would be used to make lather in the top. The georgetown and other modern pottery scuttles are sealed top from bottom and are merely to keep lather warm, not to provide hot water for the shave... Hope this helps!
EDIT* I forgot about oskar's scuttles with the handy brush basin on the side!

Originally Posted by sicboater

The georgetown and other modern pottery scuttles are sealed top from bottom and are merely to keep lather warm, not to provide hot water for the shave

Mine do provide hot water during the shave.
It is in the "brush basin" attached to the side.
Greetings
oskar

Originally Posted by Billy Shears

What is the purpose of a scuttle? I know you put the hot water in the bottom and the soap goes in the top, but why? Is this simply something they did back in the day because of plumbing etc.? Do they serve any purpose today as compared to a mug?

I have 2 scuttles and don't know what to do with them. This is why i ask.

Can we see pictures?

Sorry at this time i have no camera. They are just run of the mill though, nothing special.

Hahaha Sicboate I just noticed your signature.

When my son was a mere infant, he found one of my disposable bic razors in the trash and tried to shave with it. He came walking into the room with blood running down his face from the cut he gave himself between the eyes! Than God I wasn't using straight razors back then.

That story highlights the need to be careful with impressionable little ones around! Of course if you had been shaving with a straight, it wouldn't have been in the trash.

Originally Posted by Billy Shears

Hahaha Sicboate I just noticed your signature.

When my son was a mere infant, he found one of my disposable bic razors in the trash and tried to shave with it. He came walking into the room with blood running down his face from the cut he gave himself between the eyes! Than God I wasn't using straight razors back then.

Funny. I have two bowls that I have used as lather bowls and a traditional scuttle that I keep forgetting to pick up from my parent's house. Despite having these three items I have begun discussing having a scuttle custom made for me by a local potter. Nothing super fancy, but something that is MINE, not something that was mass produced and stocked on shelves.

I'm not knocking the scuttles and bowls sold elsewhere. They look great and make it possible to have warm lather for three-pass shaves. However, I like the thought that mine will be handmade for me based upon my preferences.

- Mark (S-4-C)

Originally Posted by sicboater

Two types of scuttles out there right now. The old scuttles with the holes in the top part were for cake soap. The scuttle was used as hot water wasn't on tap everywhere back in the day. The holes allowed water to drain from the soap. Hot water from the kettle would be put in the bottom, the brush would soak in the side hole, and cake soap would be used to make lather in the top. The georgetown and other modern pottery scuttles are sealed top from bottom and are merely to keep lather warm, not to provide hot water for the shave... Hope this helps!
EDIT* I forgot about oskar's scuttles with the handy brush basin on the side!

That was very helpful. I was wondering much the same things about the old style scuttles, and just made a post before noticing this thread. Mines got pictures though...

http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=21059