Thread: Holes in latherdish

Hi there, I wonder why there are holes in the latherdish in a scuttle? Doesn't the lather end up in the water?

Hi there:

Newbie here. I think I was set straight on this issue thanks to JimmyHAD and others.

I had plugged my scuttle hole(s) due to the creme lather worming it's way out of the scuttle holes while I brushed up the lather in the scuttle top.

It was suggested I remove the wax plugs I had placed in the hole(s) so I could use the hot water steam from the reservoir in the bottom (which of course rises up through those holes) to keep my lathered brush nice and toasty warm while it rests there in the top during the shave, which works beautifully!

I work the lather up in a seperate mug now, I don't use the scuttle top for lathering purposes, I use it just for the lathered brush to rest on and stay warm while get ready for the second pass or touch-ups.

Hope this helps you.

Willie

Based on all two of my str8 wet shaves I feel adequately prepared to take on the world... or at least regurgitate what I read from more knowledgable types! The “scuttle holes” were developed to allow water to drain as a soap was lathered. I cannot tell you when the scuttle was developed in relation to cream, however my guess is that the scuttle predates cream. Some purists may say that cream should not be used in a scuttle, but I say go with whatever lathers you up!

Originally Posted by Convert

Based on all two of my str8 wet shaves I feel adequately prepared to take on the world... or at least regurgitate what I read from more knowledgable types! The “scuttle holes” were developed to allow water to drain as a soap was lathered. I cannot tell you when the scuttle was developed in relation to cream, however my guess is that the scuttle predates cream. Some purists may say that cream should not be used in a scuttle, but I say go with whatever lathers you up!

Welcome to SRP. I used to put a puck on top of those holes and lather on top of it. Before long the puck seals the holes. not really an issue but if you look at the design overall it is built so that the handle of the brush will lay on a rest built into the scuttle with the bristles over the area with the holes.

On another shaving forum a few years ago this topic came up and a fellow said that the holes weren't for the puck but for the bristles and that lathering was to be done in a separate bowl or mug. If you look at the depth of the area with the holes it really isn't deep enough to be designed for lathering IMO. I may be wrong about this, I was wrong once before.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

...On another shaving forum a few years ago this topic came up and a fellow said that the holes weren't for the puck but for the bristles and that lathering was to be done in a separate bowl or mug. If you look at the depth of the area with the holes it really isn't deep enough to be designed for lathering IMO. I may be wrong about this, I was wrong once before.

Ahh, the force is strong with this one.... As I have nil experience I shall defer to your sagacity. That said, if we are both wrong only the guy who invented the thing really knows and he ain't talking (RIP).

Originally Posted by Convert

Ahh, the force is strong with this one.... As I have nil experience I shall defer to your sagacity. That said, if we are both wrong only the guy who invented the thing really knows and he ain't talking (RIP).

OTOH, whatever works for the person using it. I used it with the soap over the holes for a long time and that was alright. I use a Moss scuttle and a lather bowl now so it ain't an issue for me.

I use a scuttle of that type every day. I face lather, and rest my brush in the top between lathering. Keeps the soap and brush nice and warm. I keep the holes clear daily.

I'm no expert.. But I actually do it both ways.. I have two scuttles (three if you count my moss scuttle) what I do with one, is keep a puck of soap in the top, and that keeps the soap soft, and let the brush of lather lay on top of the soap, this keeps it fairly warm... That's only for pucks that fit in the scuttle.. My other scuttle is my SRD scuttle (not made by them, I just use it for them) since SRD soap comes inthat jar, and I don't want to pry it out, I lather on top of the soap in the jar, then move the Lather Laden brush into the top of the scuttle, with the bristles over the holes... that keeps my lather warm and moist, and if I run out of lather, the bristles are semi wet, so back to the SRD tub they go... I think this way works a tad better since the brush is right over the holes, but the difference is BARELY noticeable, so I really just go for whichever soap I feel like using that day....

The moss scuttle is for my creams... I know most people say not to lather a cream within the scuttle, it's just for the brush, but I do anyways, and it works like a champ... Love my mossy <3