Thread: Interested in a new scuttle design?

I've contacted Julie Moore at Dirty Bird pottery about a new (or perhaps re-) desgin of the scuttle she makes. Essentially I asked if she would put holes in the bottom of the dish, and increase the size of the mouth to 3" to accomodate brushes without damaging the bristles. I suggested adding the mouth as a separate piece to the wall of the scuttle and putting holes in the wall so the mouth will fill with water but the brush won't fall inside. She said doing so would double the length of time to make the scuttle, and that many customers wouldn't like the loss of heat. She asked that I inqure to see if there would be a lot of interest in such a scuttle. Any takers? I, personally, would pay to have one made whether it goes into production or not.

You are talking about a completely different kind of scuttle.

I have a Dirtybird scuttle, and it is perfect.

There are no holes in the bowl, because you don't want them there. You fill the outer scuttle up with hot water and that heats the inner bowl. The inner bowl is where you make you lather and keep your lathered brush.

The type of scuttle you are describing is more of the old fashoined type. The brush is immersed in the hot water in the bottom of the scuttle, correct? Doesn't that water down your lather? Why not just get the hot water from the tap?

From Classic's website:

This traditional style of shaving scuttle became popular before the turn of the 20th Century when most homes did not enjoy hot running water. The bottom chamber of the scuttle was filled with hot water from the kitchen stove and carried to the bedroom shaving stand for use. After dipping the brush into the water in the bottom chamber it was then used on the soap cake held in the perforated soap dish on top to produce a lather. The perforations allowed excess water to drain back into the lower chamber preventing the soap from becoming softened. Still a practical method of maintaining adequate hot water at hand for the shave without having to waste water and energy by continual running.

Really, I encourage you to try one of Ditybird's standard scuttles. The new type of scuttles that maintain hot lather are what all the fuss is about. Not the old fashoined ones designed to transport hot water from kitchen to bathroom.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

You are talking about a completely different kind of scuttle.

I have a Dirtybird scuttle, and it is perfect.

There are no holes in the bowl, because you don't want them there. You fill the outer scuttle up with hot water and that heats the inner bowl. The inner bowl is where you make you lather and keep your lathered brush.

The type of scuttle you are describing is more of the old fashoined type. The brush is immersed in the hot water in the bottom of the scuttle, correct? Doesn't that water down your lather? Why not just get the hot water from the tap?

From Classic's website:

Really, I encourage you to try one of Ditybird's standard scuttles. The new type of scuttles that maintain hot lather are what all the fuss is about. Not the old fashoined ones designed to transport hot water from kitchen to bathroom.

I use soap, rather than cream, and don't make lather in the bowl. The holes are to allow the soap to dry instead of sitting in water the rest of the day. The lather doesn't water down because I make new lather every time I make a different pass (lather for WTG, re-lather for ATG, relather for XTG). What I'm asking her for is, yes, essentially and update on an old design. For cream, I think what she makes would be absolutely perfect, and I'm trying to get the same option of perfection available for soap users.

OK, sounds like you use a completely different technique than I do, so I can see why the old fashoined ones may appeal to you. To each his own, and all that...

Julie does awesome work, so I'm sure she will come up with a winner for you.

Another option for a scuttle that sounds a bit like what you are looking for are the Oskar scuttles. a review of one here.

BTW, I am also a soap user, albiet a bowl latherer.

Originally Posted by Seraphim

OK, sounds like you use a completely different technique than I do, so I can see why the old fashoined ones may appeal to you. To each his own, and all that...

Julie does awesome work, so I'm sure she will come up with a winner for you.

Another option for a scuttle that sounds a bit like what you are looking for are the Oskar scuttles. a review of one here.

BTW, I am also a soap user, albiet a bowl latherer.

Ah... that looks more like what I was thinking of. Thanks.

SCHWARZWEISSKERAMIK

A few E-mail exchanges with Julie, and she won't be able to start a new line of scuttles, so disregard this poll.

Originally Posted by maplemaker

I've contacted Julie Moore at Dirty Bird pottery about a new (or perhaps re-) desgin of the scuttle she makes. Essentially I asked if she would put holes in the bottom of the dish, and increase the size of the mouth to 3" to accomodate brushes without damaging the bristles. I suggested adding the mouth as a separate piece to the wall of the scuttle and putting holes in the wall so the mouth will fill with water but the brush won't fall inside. She said doing so would double the length of time to make the scuttle, and that many customers wouldn't like the loss of heat. She asked that I inqure to see if there would be a lot of interest in such a scuttle. Any takers? I, personally, would pay to have one made whether it goes into production or not.

I've been looking at different scuttle designs lately (both the classic like you're proposing and the new DB and GP types) and personally I like the newer versions. I remember my grandfather using the old style and complaining a lot about it "eating up" his soap and not keeping the lather hot enough. The new styles seem to solve both of these issues. With no holes in the bowl you can heat both sides of the bowl as well as your brush while you shower...and it doesn't allow the heat to escape as fast.

I would suggest if possible try both types and see which you really like the best before splurging on something you might not like.