Thread: Wooden bowls

Possibly a silly question - by all means smack me if deserved.

I'm just getting started out on my shaving adventure - I'm actually still waiting for various supplies to arrive. My question - I see a number of soaps offered with/without wooden bowls. Are the bowls purely decorative holders for the soap - but you should not mix in them?

Welcome to the forum!

That's a perfectly good question - don't hesitate to ask anything here, that's how you learn and feedback from members is invaluable in learning the ropes of this art.

I've had a wooden bowl for about 6 months that I mix in and it works fine. I make sure I dump any excess water out when I'm finished, but I do that on ceramic bowls too.

I have just started as well, and I wondered the same thing when my soap arrived in it's wooden bowl.

At least I didn't try to use the soap with the plastic wrapper still in place. It's pretty hard to see, being clear with no printing on it, but I would've felt pretty stupid if I had stood there wondering why nothing was happening. Oh no, I didn't do that. No.

Back on topic, I didn't feel comfortable with getting the wooden bowl that wet, so I got a smallish ceramic bowl from the kitchen to build a lather in. I put soap onto the brush with the brush just damp enough to get the soap wet, then move to the bowl with a little water in the bottom. Seems to work for me, I get more lather than I can use usually!

Hi.
See this thread about soap storage.

Originally Posted by Thumper

Possibly a silly question - by all means smack me if deserved.

I'm just getting started out on my shaving adventure - I'm actually still waiting for various supplies to arrive. My question - I see a number of soaps offered with/without wooden bowls. Are the bowls purely decorative holders for the soap - but you should not mix in them?

Not a silly question at all. The answer is yes and no.

You can mix in them but the downside is until the soap is almost gone there's really not enough room to properly whip up a batch of good thick lather, depending on the bowl it can be VERY messy, and probably most important you will use up the soap faster...and most of the soap that comes in those fancy wooden bowls ain't cheap.

I think you will get the most "mileage" out of your soap if you just pick up enough on the brush to create a good lather and then either use a separate bowl/mug/scuttle or your face to whip it up.

[quote=darrensandford;277909]At least I didn't try to use the soap with the plastic wrapper still in place. It's pretty hard to see, being clear with no printing on it, but I would've felt pretty stupid if I had stood there wondering why nothing was happening. Oh no, I didn't do that. No. quote]


hey now i did that the first time i got a soap in a wooden bowl, but yea i love my wooden bowl i just make sure to dump out all the water and let it dry completely before putting it away

-dan-

Thumper, the only dumb question is the one not asked. You can make this is expensive or cheap as you like. I have a few of these and am very happy with them:

Kingsley Dark Wood Shave Shaving Soap Bowl with Lid - eBay (item 120334134371 end time Dec-14-08 12:33:27 PST)

You can get sterling silver ones for quite a bit of money or go to the dollar store and get one. It's up to your taste and wallet. Or, as you have already mentioned, you can purchase soaps that come in a bowl.

One more thing.You woun't be able to keep the lather warm in a wooden bowl.I've got one in steel, and when put in a sink of hot water, the soap almost melt, and the lather stays warm all thruout the shave.
Just a tip.

I have my grandfather's wooden shaving bowl which he used from 1948 until 1976 when he gave it to me. I used it for several years.


The bowl has a crack in it and the lid is uneven. I was wonder if it could be restored. I would never use it for lathe again but would put it in my display case and keep for a momento.

Anyone know of anyone who could do this type work.

I think it could be fixed with an application of wood filler, sanded, cleaned up and a stain or some type finnis put on.

I think this bowl origionally came from D. R. Harris.

Any ideas.

dewayne

Thanks to everyone that replied. I appreciate the help - I'll have a few more threads started shortly!