Thread: Scuttle vs Mug

+1 on leaving the scuttle on the bathroom sink for storage and mixing, if you have the counter real estate. Scuttles are a bit heavy to hold in ones hand while lathering. I move mine only to fill, empty and clean it. I use a Steve Woodhead scuttle which keeps my lather warm as long as I need it. If you do not have the counter space for permenant scuttle storage, consider a set of shelves above a nearby WC tank for additional storage space. I keep frequently used shaving supplies over the WC tank on shelves and move what I need for my day's shave to the sink counter as needed. However, my straights are stored in a dryer more secure location when not in use.

I use the scuttle only for keeping lather warm. My soaps are kept in mugs or ceramic shop ramkins of suitable internal diameter. I fill my scuttle with hot faucet water and let it sit with my brush soaking while I shower. I drain and refill the scuttle with hot water before making lather.

Hard milled soaps such as MWF and Tabac soak in warm water in their mugs while I shower. After showering, I drain the mug, shake out the brush, and make lather in the mug. I dribble the lather from the mug into the scuttle as I mix the lather in the tipped down position. Often, I add 8 drops of glycerin and a dollop of Bigelow cream to the scuttle with soap before I whip up my lather. Softer soaps such as ProRaso and Cella do not need a presoak.

Nothing that I have used so far beats MWF or Tabac with the glycerin and cream additives. I believe that I bleed less frequently and have less irritation while using these soaps based on appearance and the frequency and intensity of aftershave lotion burning sensation. The cream and glycerin give me more glide, cushion, and drying face time which is desirable for straight razor shaves as I am slower shaving with a straight than when using only a DE razor.

The lather does start to dry faster in the scuttle from its heat than in a room temperature mug, but this is easily and quickly corrected by adding some water to the brush and remixing. You can see Chimensch rehydrating soap in his scuttle in his 30th anniversary straight shaving video.

Chimensch's Shaving Video - YouTube