Thread: Foaming at the mouth (a.k.a.-Face lathering)

I was a dedicated face latherer for several months when I started. I couldn't for the life of me understand why anyone bowl lathered. I tried a few different bowls and it all seemed so finicky and was a PITA.

I decided to get a scuttle to improve even further and have nice warm lather. I opted for the georgetown pottery (G4) scuttle based mostly on looks, and decided one day just for the heck of it to give bowl lathering in it a try. It has converted me to a devout bowl latherer. The bowl is so perfect in shape and size for bowl lathering that it's a real dream to use. I've now got down exactly how much water to leave in the bowl based on how I load my soaps and shake my brush, so I can whip up a great lather in no time - not finicky at all. And the hot/warm lather is just a bonus.

I'm not sure if I'll ever convert back. I guess if I ever drop my scuttle and smash it, while I'm waiting for a new one I'll probably face lather, as I have no interest in bowl lathering in my mugs or soup bowls. The scuttle is really the only thing keeping me a bowl latherer, heh.

I do still face lather on travel, though.

As far as ratio of water to soap when face lathering, if you can form your brush into a chisel or really any shape, and it holds that shape, you need more water. The sweet spot is pretty much right when the brush will no longer hold forms. At least, that's what I've found I guess if you like the super thick lather, and it works for you, keep right on truckin'! I just found it to have better lubricity and offer a little better shave if I get it to the "non-forming brush" ratio.

I love my Dirty Bird scuttle. Luscious warm lather.....

But I also have been enjoying the recent face lathering "mayo on rye" goodness.....



But now I see that perhaps there is a way to have it all.....face lathering PLUS keeping the lather warm & yummy.

Brought to you also by the fine folks (OK, what is singular for "folks"?, anyhow Julie is great to deal with....) at DirtyBird pottery as well.

The brush scuttle.

Dirty Bird Brush Scuttle and Lather Bowl - Badger & Blade



Designed to hold your loaded brush snugly and keep it warm, not to create a lather in, like the regular DB scuttle.

Bowl latherer here. And enjoying it. I got my Schwarzweisskeramik scuttle last week and it's something to get used to, but it works quite nicely in getting me nice warm lather.

I think one might say I halfways face lather anyway, because, although I create the thick stuff in the scuttle/mug/bowl, I put a lot of action on my face with the brush too. A big fan of Seraphim's mayo too.

I face lather when travelling, one less item too go with and works just fine. At home though I like to use a bowl and also work it in well, probably as much as with a shaving stick. Not that worried by warm lather so not effected by that either way.

I also face lather, and use a Moss scuttle to keep the lather warm. I use both a Simpson Duke 3 Finest and an Omega 30005 boar.

Another face latherer chiming in! I started off as a bowl latherer, but have since given up the bowl and never looked back. I like the extra "prep" that face lathering provides, and I find it to be a more enjoyable way to build lather, once you get the hang of it.

Long time face latherer gone scuttle frother. Its the heat, man! Still a face latherer when on the road, only by necessity. Again, its the heat.

By the way, any of you guys (or whiskered gals) use a small bowl when on the road? How's that work for you? Seems like a difficult object to pack, and how do you keep it warm?

Viva la diference! Jim

I started out as a face latherer but went to the bowl and I find that I get a better lather for the two passes I do than if I face lather. A small Moss scuttle between passes keeps the lather comfy.

When at home, I enjoy the luxury of warm lather from a mug. When travelling, I face lather (with the Body Shop synthetic brush - it is excellent for travelling and works very well for face lathering).

yeah, i foam at the mouth too... i think there have been only 3 exceptions to this throughout my shaving career, when I didn't know better.

scuttle is nice, but i found i'm too lazy to fill it in and dump it, so mine's now somewhere in europe... i think amsterdam, that's a place that causes mouth foaming to many.