Thread: scuttles

I was wondering if anyone could explain how to use a scuttle. To me it looks like a little pot with a bowl on top. I am afraid I don't understand.
Thank you

modern scuttles are basically double boilers.. you fill the scuttle with water and it warms the inner bowl to keep your lather warm.. there are some videos on youtube that demonstrate..

Is there room to soak your brush in it, or do you need another mug for that?

generally yes.. depending on the size of your brush and the size of the scuttle..

Are you talking modern or vintage? The vintage one have a shallow dish on top with holes and you put the soap in there and it helps for making the lather and keeps the soap soft,warm and moist. The modern ones keep the brush and lather warm.

Originally Posted by vthomlinson

modern scuttles are basically double boilers.. you fill the scuttle with water and it warms the inner bowl to keep your lather warm.. there are some videos on youtube that demonstrate..

The "double boiler" is a great description. To see if you like the idea you can take a ceramic mug and a bowl the mug fits in, soak them both in hot water while you shower, then set up your impromptu scuttle filling the bowl with hottest tap water you can and place the empty ceramic mug inside, without letting the water in the bowl overflow into the mug.
I prefer to face lather myself, so I would follow my normal lathering and place the loaded brush into the empty mug that is being warmed... second pass, take the brush out of the mug and apply the warm lather...
I have both a Moss Scuttle and a Dirty Bird scuttle. The Moss Scuttle (looks like a teapot with bowl in the top) seems to work better for building lather in a bowl, where the Dirty Bird works better for face lathering... IMHO.

I bought the SRD scuttle about two weeks ago and using a scuttle has made my shave more comfortable. I fill my scuttle with hot water and then put it in the microwave for two and a half minutes. Then I soap up my brush and place it in the scuttle. When I get out of the shower I have a hot lathered brush waiting for my.

One difference I have learned is that I need a little more water in my brush than if I wasn't using a scuttle. It is a great low tech way to have hot lather for shaving. I can make my three passes with hot lather for all three passes. I wish that I had known about scuttles when I was using a safety razor, I might never have gone to electric.

I see you are at the Rock, are you a Squid or a Jarhead? Either way, thank you for your service.

I see you are at the Rock, are you a Squid or a Jarhead?

I thought about becoming a Marine once, My uncle was a Marine. Then I learned how physically demanding it was. I tried and tried to get myself there, but no matter how hard I pushed...I could not squeeze my head into a Jar.
GO NAVY!!! No offense to the Marines, great group of people.
I like the Idea of the scuttle and want to try on out. any recommendations.

Originally Posted by straightshot

I thought about becoming a Marine once, My uncle was a Marine. Then I learned how physically demanding it was. I tried and tried to get myself there, but no matter how hard I pushed...I could not squeeze my head into a Jar.
GO NAVY!!! No offense to the Marines, great group of people.
I like the Idea of the scuttle and want to try on out. any recommendations.

My head did fit in the jar, but I never made it to the Rock. There was a line in the book "Flags of Our Fathers" that talked about the different branches of our military. It basically said if you join the Army or the Marines you will die cold, wet and hungry. If you join the Navy at least you won't die hungry.

I really like my Straight Razor Design scuttle. It is one piece costruction and is built solid. I like the one piece construction since it is easier to work with and has a lesser chance of spilling hot water. I put it in microwave this morning for 3 minutes, and my brush and lather were actually steaming when I used them. It reminded me of the last time I got a shave at the barber shop.

Stay safe brother and enjoy the good weather.