Thread: Scuttle vs bowl for creating a lather and keeping it warm

The idea of a scuttle using hot water below the "bowl" makes sense when reading about it. How much better is it than a bowl? Do they keep the soap warmer and if so how much difference do you think it makes? Some scuttles also have a few small holes in the bowl area. Not sure what they are for.

What I'm using now is a big ceramic coffee mug. It has large diameter making it easy to create a lather. I usually sit it in a small container with about 1/2" of water in it (the container) and heat it in the microwave for a minute or two. This works ok. The scuttles that I like have a big bowl for the soap lather but they are usually double the price of just a bowl or cup. So I'm wondering if having a scuttle keeps the lather warmer enough to justify the extra cost. I can't think of many things I've come to like more than something else regarding shaving but having a warm lather is one thing I like. I like to reapply it during my shave. Feels good. I also understand keeping the whiskers and skin warm helps the razor cut the whiskers.

If the hot water in a scuttle will keep the bowl and lather warm through a shave that's good. But if they cool off after just 5 minutes or so I don't need anything like that. I appreciate any help I can get. Thanks in advance.

Jack

Jack,

There are many ways to keep your lather warm. For me, nothing beats a scuttle. Some scuttles are designed to just keep the brush warm and some in which to make lather. Take your pick. Either way, the scuttle is a good way to keep your brush and lather warm. Does that justify the cost? You are the judge of that.

Originally Posted by Obie

Jack,

There are many ways to keep your lather warm. For me, nothing beats a scuttle. Some scuttles are designed to just keep the brush warm and some in which to make lather. Take your pick. Either way, the scuttle is a good way to keep your brush and lather warm. Does that justify the cost? You are the judge of that.

I think it would justify the cost as long as they work. You saying they do a good job of keeping the later warm is the answer I was hoping to get. The scuttles I've seen that I like most are between $50 and $80 or so. They hold more water than others and have a big bowl for lather with ribs along the bottom to help the later form. Do the ribs work better than just a flat bottom?

Thanks for your reply.

There are many things (probably most) when it comes to shaving where you can spend little and get products that "do the job" and then spend more and get better performance and spend still more and get products that may not perform better but make you feel better about using them. Be it soaps or razors or hones or lather containers or more you need to judge for yourself if the benefits of a purchase are worth it to you personally.

When you ask for opinions on these things you will get the personal philosophy of the writer. There is no purely objective answer to your question.

So, your question? To me it's worth it to buy the scuttle for convenience and performance and it just looks good.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

There are many things (probably most) when it comes to shaving where you can spend little and get products that "do the job" and then spend more and get better performance and spend still more and get products that may not perform better but make you feel better about using them. Be it soaps or razors or hones or lather containers or more you need to judge for yourself if the benefits of a purchase are worth it to you personally.

When you ask for opinions on these things you will get the personal philosophy of the writer. There is no purely objective answer to your question.

So, your question? To me it's worth it to buy the scuttle for convenience and performance and it just looks good.

You're right about the answer being different from different people based on various things. Money being a biggie. For me a scuttle or bowl is based solely on performance. Keeping the lather warm in this case. I like nice looking stuff but it takes a backseat to performance. So if one method won't keep the lather warm but it's cheap, I won't take that option. If it costs more, keeps the lather nice and warm and doesn't look good that's ok. After that I won't pay too much more for performance AND a really beautiful scuttle. If the color or pattern of a scuttle doesn't match the walls it doesn't matter to me. Wife on the other hand... I may have to keep the ugly scuttle in the cabinet when I'm not using it.

Jack

I have a stone bowl I use to lather in at home & a Stainless bowl for traveling & just let them sit in the sink with hot water to keep the brush & lather warm while I shave and it works fine for me.

Originally Posted by jackknifeh

I think it would justify the cost as long as they work. You saying they do a good job of keeping the later warm is the answer I was hoping to get. The scuttles I've seen that I like most are between $50 and $80 or so. They hold more water than others and have a big bowl for lather with ribs along the bottom to help the later form. Do the ribs work better than just a flat bottom?

Thanks for your reply.

Jack,

I like the scuttle for what it does: keep the brush and lather warm. I face lather and, therefore, use a scuttle meant only for keeping my brush warm). Obviously, some scuttles are better than others. The ones I have used and liked include: Schwarzweisskeramik (for lathering); Dirty Bird (for lathering); Moss (for keeping brush warm); Straight Razor Designs (for keeping brush warm); Georgetown (for keeping your brush and lather warm); and others. If you want to lather in your scuttle, make sure it has ridges inside the bowl to trap the lather. In the end, the question is what you like.

Originally Posted by Obie

Jack,

I like the scuttle for what it does: keep the brush and lather warm. I face lather and, therefore, use a scuttle meant only for keeping my brush warm). Obviously, some scuttles are better than others. The ones I have used and liked include: Schwarzweisskeramik (for lathering); Dirty Bird (for lathering); Moss (for keeping brush warm); Straight Razor Designs (for keeping brush warm); Georgetown (for keeping your brush and lather warm); and others. If you want to lather in your scuttle, make sure it has ridges inside the bowl to trap the lather. In the end, the question is what you like.

I was looking at scuttles several months ago and fell in love with the ones on georgetown pottery. I didn't get a scuttle because I had just begun straight shaving and had no idea what I needed or just wanted. I had forgotten what site that was though so you just reminded me. Thank you. I may put one of those on my Christmas list for wife. I'll have to wait of course but if I don't give her items I really want she gets stuff only to have more packages under the tree.

Jack

Jack,
I'm sure you will be pleased with a scuttle in your shave den. Good stuff.

I fought myself over scuttled as well. I have a magnificent collection of hand made shaving bowls from all over. Then I broke down and bought a scuttle. Now, 6 of 7 days shaves are wonderful warm lather in the scuttle.

You will not be disappointed in the least with the purchase of a scuttle.