Traditional Shaving Mug

Hi, New here but thought this looked like a active community that might be able to help me out with this.

I have recently picked up a traditional shaving mug. In the past I would make a lather using shaving soap by loading the brush with soap and moving to a cereal bowl and swirling up a lather. I was happy with this but my partner was unhappy with a cereal bowl in the bathroom ;)

So I got a hold of a traditional shaving mug. It is like a teapot I guess with a indent at the top with holes, and a collection cup underneath with a large spout. The person I got it off said to fill the bottom with hot water which will keep the lather you make above it warm and to use it like the cereal bowl. But I just can't get a lather with it. From my quick googleing I can find stuff about them but not how to use them. I feel that the holes that are designed to drain excess water from your lather as well as let the hot air rise through are draining too much water, but can't work out how to go about fixing this. It is also possible I am not using it at all correctly as I can't seem to find anything fully describing its use with pictures.

I hope you guys can help.

Sounds like what you have is an old fashioned scuttle, a design that made sense when hot water was a luxury. Today, most favor a scuttle that has no holes in the bowl but that does allow hot water under the bowl. This keeps the lather nice and warm. I have a Dirty Bird shaving scuttle (the biggest piece in the pic below), but there are other good ones as well.
Attachment 88161

Similar yes.
Attachment 88164
Is what mine is (sorry I should have included a picture originally) I guess from my failed attempts at using it I was wondering if it is something that is just meant to hold the puck of soap or something :S

It is meant to hold a puck of soap, with warm water below. And it will work, no doubt. However, with the holes in the bowl, it's hard to regulate the amount of water you may need to add.

If lather creation is your main concern you should try what many of us do. Forget the mug. Just load the soap up on the brush and build the lather right on your face.

That's what I have started to do as of last shave, and found it surprisingly easy. Not as thick as I am used to, but that will change as I get better at it I guess.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nudge

Not as thick as I am used to...

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I get the thick stuff basically with the approach in this video, except I use far less glycerin...like 3 drops. Your results may vary with different water, temp, humidity, product, etc:
http://straightrazorpalace.com/pre-s...ther-help.html

Sometimes I face lather too. Fun to experiment I think.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nudge

Hi, New here but thought this looked like a active community that might be able to help me out with this.

I have recently picked up a traditional shaving mug. In the past I would make a lather using shaving soap by loading the brush with soap and moving to a cereal bowl and swirling up a lather. I was happy with this but my partner was unhappy with a cereal bowl in the bathroom ;)

So I got a hold of a traditional shaving mug. It is like a teapot I guess with a indent at the top with holes, and a collection cup underneath with a large spout. The person I got it off said to fill the bottom with hot water which will keep the lather you make above it warm and to use it like the cereal bowl. But I just can't get a lather with it. From my quick googleing I can find stuff about them but not how to use them. I feel that the holes that are designed to drain excess water from your lather as well as let the hot air rise through are draining too much water, but can't work out how to go about fixing this. It is also possible I am not using it at all correctly as I can't seem to find anything fully describing its use with pictures.

I hope you guys can help.

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Try one of these for $7.50: Warming Pitcher | Serveware| Kitchen & Dining | World Market. You can put boiling water in the outer jacket and work up the lather inside the bowl. If you like it, you can either continue to use it or get a really nice scuttle.

Attachment 88437

I'm not trying to push a product on you, but merely suggest it as an affordable way to try something to see if you like it before you lay out some serious cash on a really nice one.

Nice looking Pitcher CaliforniaCajun

I will be keeping an eye out for a similar item here in Australia
They look a great alternative to buying big dollar items unless you really have to

Probably have to check out the home wares shops with swmbo :)
And she will find something for the home too I'm sure
So all is well in our little corner of the world

Thanks for sharing

Rick

Again, as stated oh so many times, YMMV...but I had a great improvement when i began to cold shave. I use a mug to soak my brush while I do my morning gyrations and getting the kinks out. Then I just use an old soup mug. Not too tall, not too big. I do like the mugs with the brush rest on them for the looks though.