Return to Bowl Lathering

Gentlemen,

After years of face lathering, I have returned to bowl lathering. Now my lather is richer, creamier and more luxurious, because whipping it up in a bowl makes the soap or cream come alive. Face lathering is fine, but bowl lathering adds an extra dimension to the process. Also, bowl lathering gives me a better sense of history and tradition.

Through the years, I have used a variety of scuttles, including Schwarzweisskeramik, Dirty Bird, Moss, Georgetown, Becker and a few others that now I don't recall. Except for the Moss, the rest were better suited for bowl lathering. My favorite was Schwarzweisskeramik. I no longer have these.

For the past year, I have enjoyed the Straight Razor Design scuttle, which is well suited for keeping the brush warm. I also have the Edwin Jagger porcelain lather bowl, which I prefer to the scores of lather bowls I have used.

Since I do not want to retire my SRD scuttle and the EJ lather bowl and opt for a lathering scuttle, I now combine them to give me the best of two worlds. The EJ bowl helps make my lather and the hot water in the SRD scuttle's bowl and tank keeps my brush and lather warm.

+1 Obie :tu ...Although I will still face lather if I'm in somewhat of a rush...or really lazy... I too prefer the creaminess and voluminous amount of lather my scuttle set-up provides. It is my 'go-to' 80% of the time.

Here is my simple 2-piece set-up purchased a a Goodwill store for about $3.00... excepting the classic 'Beehive Badger Brush' which was extra of course!

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I still have a hard time getting lather just right while face lathering. The tip I'm starting only now to realize, while bowl lathering, keep adding water! I've been under watering almost every time I face lather. Caties bubbles is my newest soap, and I can add a lot of water.

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Originally Posted by prodigy

I still have a hard time getting lather just right while face lathering. The tip I'm starting only now to realize, while bowl lathering, keep adding water! I've been under watering almost every time I face lather. Caties bubbles is my newest soap, and I can add a lot of water.

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As I've heard Gssixgun say, and I sometimes forget, "It is wet shaving." :D

Although I have been face lathering mostly of late, I have never tried a scuttle. I have always used a steel bowl or an old coffee mug. I like boar bristle because of how well it hold warmth and those scuttles make me want to try harder to keep my lather warm. Is it worth the extra effort to buy a scuttle?

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Originally Posted by ColdbyDesign

Although I have been face lathering mostly of late, I have never tried a scuttle. I have always used a steel bowl or an old coffee mug. I like boar bristle because of how well it hold warmth and those scuttles make me want to try harder to keep my lather warm. Is it worth the extra effort to buy a scuttle?

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Yes, absolutely. The scuttle, whether for lathering or just keeping the brush warm, when used properly, adds an extra touch of delight to the morning shave.

I've always face lathered but I do it my way which really means whipping up the lather in the tub with the soap and then complete the lather creation on my face.

I have no problem face lathering, but I make such a mess. I always use my $2.99 candy goblet that I bought at Wal-Mart. I have a SRD scuttle and also a Georgetown Pottery scuttle, but most of the time it's the Wal-Mart special I use.

I have many soaps that I've pressed into either vintage shave mugs or latte mugs. I like to build the lather right on top of them. The only time I face lather is when I use a shave stick. But hey, whatever works for you.

I have now tried a jays clay- fabulous well thought, beautiful bowl. A Georgetown G20- may be a perfect scuttle. A custom sized Moss to keep a brush warm and lately a Schwarzweisskeramik. The SWK is amazing. Warm to hot brush and tons of room to lather. I start out pseudo face lathering but with these scuttles, face lathering is left for the preshave towel. Scuttles are shave changing.

Obie that is genius. Looks like they were made for each other. I prefer bowl lathering but struggle to keep lather warm through an entire face an head shave. Either way I really like the look of that EJ bowl. Gonna track one down.

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Originally Posted by RollinCoal69

Obie that is genius. Looks like they were made for each other. I prefer bowl lathering but struggle to keep lather warm through an entire face an head shave. Either way I really like the look of that EJ bowl. Gonna track one down.

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Thanks for the kind words, Rollin. Yes, the two are a perfect fit. I had never fitted the two together before returning to bowl lathering. In fact, I used to keep the EJ on the shave den counter with the SRD scuttle and just keep hot water in it.

A few days ago, I suddenly stopped working on my third novel and rushed back to the shave den — I don't know what prompted me — and put the EJ bowl into the SRD scuttle bowl. Voila! It was a perfect fit. By keeping the SRD scuttle bowl and tank filled with hot water, the EJ bowl and my lather stay warm throughout the shave. Love it.

By the way, Muhle has its own version of the same bowl. Actually, it is the same design that both companies use. It comes in cream, white and black colors. The SRD scuttle comes in various colors, too. The SRD scuttle is my favorite of all the scuttle for keeping the lather warm. Schwarzwisskermik is my favorite of all the scuttles for lathering.

Bowl lathering definitely adds another dimension to the shave. For a warm face lather I only load enough soap for one pass and then use very hot water to face lather. Every pass is warm and I whip it up on my face like canned goo. Then again I don't get to play around with scuttles and such so I miss out on that dimension.

amazing bowl....good.
i tried to use again bowl lathering but i don't like it....automatically my hand take brush and load on soap...after lather on skin.
For this reason i use an old Proraso mug for soak my brushe before shaving

For those die hard face latherers (myself included) a great compromise is the Dirty Bird brush scuttle for soaking the brush and keeping it warm between passes. I've got one and love it during the cold winter months or just for soaking in the summer.

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Obie I seriously can't believe it's been 7 years since I started wet shaving. I saw your name pop up and just wanted to wish you a happy new year, hope all is well. So much of my shaving fundamentals today are based on many of your posts and feedback

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Originally Posted by DoubleEdge23c

Obie I seriously can't believe it's been 7 years since I started wet shaving. I saw your name pop up and just wanted to wish you a happy new year, hope all is well. So much of my shaving fundamentals today are based on many of your posts and feedback

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My dear friend, bless your heart for the kind words. Thank you. Yes, time passes too fast. And a Happy New Year to you, too. Stay well.

Just received a double walled skuttle from SRD today, can't wait to try it tomorrow (this morning actually) with BAUM.BE and see how warm it will keep the lather.

Ordered it after reading Obie's original post on this, thanks for bringing this up.

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Originally Posted by apipeguy

Just received a double walled skuttle from SRD today, can't wait to try it tomorrow (this morning actually) with BAUM.BE and see how warm it will keep the lather.

Ordered it after reading Obie's original post on this, thanks for bringing this up.

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I am quite fond of the SRD scuttle for keeping the lather warm. That is has a big water tank, which extends all the way to the top, and thick walls the brush and lather keep warm throughout the shave. Good stuff.