Old-time scuttle question

I bought an old-time scuttle on eBay, and I'm wondering how these things were used.

The little bowl on top with the three holes--is that for a brush or soap or what? I filled the scuttle up with hot water this morning and set my brush in the cup. It kept the lather warm throughout the shave, but not as warm as a latte mug in the sink would. The cup was also a bit small for my brush--it would stay in when I stood it up in there, but it wanted to fall over.

The cup looks like it's the right size for a cake of shaving soap, but I can't see the use of putting soap in there. :shrug:

Josh

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Originally Posted by JoshEarl

I bought an old-time scuttle on eBay, and I'm wondering how these things were used.

The little bowl on top with the three holes--is that for a brush or soap or what? I filled the scuttle up with hot water this morning and set my brush in the cup. It kept the lather warm throughout the shave, but not as warm as a latte mug in the sink would. The cup was also a bit small for my brush--it would stay in when I stood it up in there, but it wanted to fall over.

The cup looks like it's the right size for a cake of shaving soap, but I can't see the use of putting soap in there. :shrug:

Josh

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The top bowl with the little hole is for a cake of soap. You fill the bottom with very hot water and let your brush soak in there through the hole. You then take the warm wet brush out shake it a little bit and then work up lather in the top bowl. The holes let the water drain back into the bottom area. It was originally designed when hot water was not available in the bathroom. I use mine on weekends when I have more time and I love it.

Rich,

Do you try to keep your brush warm during the shave? I guess you can't put it back into the water after lathering... :D Do you just leave it standing in the soap bowl?

Josh

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Originally Posted by JoshEarl

Rich,

Do you try to keep your brush warm during the shave? I guess you can't put it back into the water after lathering... :D Do you just leave it standing in the soap bowl?

Josh

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No I just sit it on the sink. It holds the heat for a while. I use boiling water in the scuttle so the first lathering is damm hot.:cool:

I have a scuttle that gets used when I have tha time. Because the soap is not in constant contact with the water, it last longer. I use water that I heat up in the microwave and pour in, let the brush sit in it, very warm.

I dip my brush back in the water while lathering. Since hot running water in the bathroom was uncommon or nonexistent when scuttles were common I'm guessing that the soapy water from the scuttle was dumped out into a basin and was used to take a sponge bath(Aren't you glad somebody invented indoor plumbing, hot water heaters and indoor showers?).