Thread: Is it better to lather in wooden bowl than plastic stuff?

Hi,
Is it better to lather in wooden bowl than a plastic container? Would there be a sanitary issue with wooden as it will stay wet after shave?

My aim is to keep the lather warm. Therefore, I am using a thick ceramic bowl that I immerse in hot water before lathering.

I do the same as Robin, but if a wooden bowl is treated and/or allowed to dry properly there shouldn't be any reason why you couldn't use wood. Many shaving soaps, especially those made by the 3 T's in England, come in a wood bowl. These bowls, BTW, aren't necessary but do look "pretty".

As far as the lather goes the material has little to do with making a lather. Of course ceramic will last forever barring mishaps and wood will eventually start to deteriorate at some point.

I use a small tupoware container that I put my pucks of soap in. I whip the brush on the puck and face lather. Its good enough for me, use what you like, don't put too much thought into it if you don't want to.

I found a cheap Pyrex bowl set at Costco. I run hot water, put my cream and glycerin in the first bowl and set that bowl in the second with the hot water before jumping in the shower. Works great!

Gentlemen:

I make lather in either a pewter shave mug, or in a ceramic dipping bowl with soft ridges I found at Target. An electric coffee mug warmer keeps the lather warm in the mug or the bowl. Through the years I found wood and plastic don't keep my lather warm.

Regards,
Obie

Originally Posted by ferroburak

Hi,
Is it better to lather in wooden bowl than a plastic container? Would there be a sanitary issue with wooden as it will stay wet after shave?

+1 on what my good friend Obie has stated...

IMHO the wooden bowls that many mid to high range soaps are sold in are primarily for decorative purposes. Plastic is for convenience and to save on packaging. If you have shave soap in either a wooden or plastic container you should load your wet shave brush with the soap and then transfer it to either a metal or ceramic bowl or scuttle to develop the lather and keep it warm.

As Obie suggested, there are a lot of inexpensive ceramic alternatives to the wood or plastic that shaving soap or cream comes in from the manufacturer at local stores such as Target, Wal-Mart, etc. Even a small soup, cereal or dessert bowl from your kitchen can stand in as a good lathering bowl.

I use a wooden bowel for lather. It is quite a booger to keep the lather warm but I don't know I just like it.

No, ceramic, plastic, metal, wood, they all work. Wood needs to be properly treated or it will soak up water.