Thread: Hot Lather Machines?

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

If you are talking about Lather King machines they are really intended for barbershop use and they are well suited for that application. Unfortunately, most of us don't really require hot lather "on tap" all day long so it's a case of severe overkill.

Also, most prefer the quality of the lather you get from a brush and a quality cream or soap. You are correct about using a liquid solution in a Lather King and, even though you can add products to the lather mixture to improve it the end results generally fall short.

A better solution, IMO, is to use a scuttle, a quality brush and great soap or cream. The resulting lather might not be as hot as from a machine, but overall you will probably like it better.

+1 to what Bill said. I had a lather king years ago and you have to remember to plug it in, it gets soap scum inside that needs to be cleaned out and last but not least the lather is not as good as what you get with a brush and a good soap or cream. I've read about these currently made canned goo hot machines but have no personal experience with one of those.

Also last but not least with all these hot lather machines once the lather goes on it turns cold on your face in seconds.

As stated above, the lather king ones, well, suck. Even being a barber I wouldn't subject any of my customers to that lather.

The personal one that you hook your shave cans into are better...slightly.

I would say if you want quality lather, just get a mug, brush, and a puck of quality soap. Can't go wrong that way.

Originally Posted by avatar1999

As stated above, the lather king ones, well, suck. Even being a barber I wouldn't subject any of my customers to that lather.

The personal one that you hook your shave cans into are better...slightly.

I would say if you want quality lather, just get a mug, brush, and a puck of quality soap. Can't go wrong that way.

+1 to that!

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?