Thread: Hot Lather Machines?

Originally Posted by zepplin

I had a lengthy discussion tonight with my son about hot lather machines. He became interested in them when his commanding officer(he is in the Navy) was speaking to his men about really treating themselves well. One of the things he mentioned was to be good to yourself, like using a hot lather machine. Sean calls me and asked if any of the guys on SRP use them. I said I did not recall the subject coming up. I did say that a lot of guys use lined mugs and pour hot water in the opening of the double wall - and that heats their lather. Some just put their mugs in the bottom of the sink with hot water surrounding the mug, etc..

I have no experience in regard to hot lather machines, but I feel that the lather could be a bit too thin, just my opinion, of course. I understand they take a liquid soap with water to produce the lather.

Do any of you have experience with hot lather machines, and, if so, what is your opinion of them for home use? I kind of feel that the quality of the lather wouldn't be up to our standards, but I don't really know.

Thanks,

Steve

Warm lather is great on a cool/ cold morning.

I have a pewter mug that I run hot water over and
build a lather in. I also have been known to dip
my full of lather brush under hot water or build a
lather on my hand adding drips of hot tap water.

The budget minded would shop for a nest of small stainless
bowls that can be used to lather in and will float in
another full of warm to hot water. Nested plastic will
work too.

I remember those "Mr Whippy" machines from my childhood..... I'm sure they had one in the barbershop of the Park Sheraton in NYC, but I have never seen one here in England.
You've got me going now!
Do you think it would be a idea to put a spoonful of boiling water and a sliver of soap into a smoothie-maker? Or a cream-maker attachment on a Kenwood mixer? I haven't got either, but I would like to hear the outcome from someone who does -- when the wife isn't looking!

I have a Campbell chrome model. I only use it occasionally, and with Tom's of Maine instead of the Campbell liquid. I find it a real treat.
Does anyone know when these were first invented? For some reason I am thinking of sometime in the 1930s, but I do not know for sure.

What is the difference between a shaving mug and a shaving scuttle?

Originally Posted by fmlondon

What is the difference between a shaving mug and a shaving scuttle?

A mug or bowl is just that a mug or a bowl.

A scuttle is a more complex double wall mug or bowl
where hot water can be added between the inner and outer
bowl to keep the inner bowl warm, even hot. It is also
possible to dip and transfer hot water to freshen and soften
the lather as needed.

There are numerous other ways to maintain a warm and hot lather.

Check the kitchen for a non breakable bowl that you can
half fill with hot water and then keep/ float your lather bowl in
it while you shave. In the cold days of the winter my Pewter Shaving Mug
sits in a shallow plastic bowl of hot tap water from the kitchen.

While a bit of a bother for me scuttle lovers are a passionate group.

When you do shop be sure to match your brush to the scuttle/ lathering mug.
A big brush in a tiny mug does nothing good. A small brush lost in
a kettle size mug also does badly. It also needs to fit your hand
so experiment with inexpensive bowls. Not too deep, not too shallow,
not too big, not too small....

Most modern sinks and counters are ill designed for shaving.... but that is
a shave den discussion.

I made a scuttle with a ceramic cup and another smaller cu to go in the middle. It keeps the lather really warm. I got the cups from the goodwill down the road. Toatl investment about 1.75

Does anyone have an ole fashioned barbers hot lather machine and do you use it? I would think is would be an awesome addition to any shave den.