Do shaving scuttles(such as the Moss scuttle) make a difference? I've read that scuttles weren't build with the purpose for creating lather in them.
I bought one and used it for a long time but now it's been sitting on the shelf for quite awhile. While it's true that most are a bit small on top to hold a puck of soap or make lather, I have seen a couple posted in the SOTD thread that are large enough to do that. I was using mine when I was still in "sampler" mode and had a lot of sample size soaps. Eventually I started using a large cappuccino mug that's heavy enough to sit in the sink in hot water without floating and I began collecting Old Spice mugs that aren't as heavy but will still sit in hot water without floating or tipping. Last night I went to Dollar Tree after seeing others do the same and spent $1 on a nice big heavy mug. The idea is to keep your lather warm which I find I enjoy especially in the cooler months.
While I'm interested in trying a scuttle, I've never used one mostly because I've never wanted to spend the, little money I have, on one or several to see which one would work best for me. As they aren't cheap and I'd rather buy soaps, after shaves, blades and razors.. As nothing I've ever cobbled together or tried has ever successfully kept my lather warm past the first pass, I've never had an entire shave using warm lather. In my research of them however(and I could be SOOOO wrong about this) it seems some shavers use them incorrectly. Scuttles aren't intended to hold a puck of soap at all, they are made to build a lather in after your brush is loaded from a separate storage bowl that holds your soap or dollop of soap from a tube and then keep that lather warm (hopefully) for your entire shave. As far as I can tell none of them are particularly small and indeed it would seem the bigger (especially the part of the scuttle that holds the hot water) the better performance and so traveling with one it seems to me would be inconvenient. My next venture into shaving bowls I think will be a palm bowl. They are smaller and so more easily transported and I can get one, made of wood, VERY cheap from bestshave.net and then if I like it upgrade to a horn bowl.
I have a Georgetown Pottery G12 scuttle. I find I am using it more as the mornings get a little cooler. The warm lather is a nice luxury. I'm still learning how to consistently get a nice slick lather with it. It is not as instinctive as face lathering for me. The G12 is the smaller of the two scuttles offered by Georgetown. It seem about the right size to me. My brush doesn't clank on the sides as I swirl the loaded bristles around to make the lather. I purchased mine as factory second, so the price was not too bad.
I think they make a difference. Most scuttles have ridges, which helps introduce air into the lather, though not all do. The difference I see are that the scuttle is easier to create lather in than a plain dish because of the ridges on the inside. They also allow you to keep your lather warm for longer. *Note: I have a georgetown scuttle I'm not sure where you go that from, but, IMHO, that is exactly what they are made for. I don't believe they were made to hold the soap, but were made to hold the lather.
Maybe the confusion is coming from what I used to think too. I used to think you should build lather in the same container that holds the puck of soap. Now I know that you load the brush up with soap and then transfer to a mug specifically for making the lather. A scuttle would be a way to have that lather mug kept warm as compared to just a large cup. I'd love to have a scuttle. Just haven't found the right one for me yet. I currently use a ceramic soufflé dish that I keep in a sink of hot water until I'm ready to build lather in it. I empty the dish of all the water except a few drops to help get the lather started and add drops of water as needed. I will be looking for a Dollar Tree today for a proper mug for a buck though!
When I started, I also thought the soap holding dish and the lather dish were the same. The original post stated "Moss Scuttle", which is the Georgetown scuttle type. There is another type, and naturally, I can't remember the name. But, this type was used to load the soap for face lathering. It has holes drilled in the soap cup, allowing excess water to drain back to the water reservoir. They look something like this:
Alex, I use a Becker travel scuttle (no. 11) nearly everyday. I face lather and use the scuttle to keep my lather warm between passes. It works great and doesn't require a lot of counter space. I also have a larger scuttle (model no. 1) for bowl lathering, but I haven't tried it out yet. http://www.rabfeatsofclay.com/page3.php?view=productListPage&category=3 Best wishes in your search, and let us know what you decide!
Georgetown g20 is a great scuttle. Warm lather and ridges to help bowl latherers. SRD has real nice brush warmer scuttles but the smooth inside does not work so well for creating lather
The difference a good scuttle can make is exactly what Troy mentioned above: the luxury of warm lather. It won't make you a better shaver, nor give you smoother, longer-lasting results. Using warm lather on a cool morning enhances the shaving experience, and who doesn't mind the occasional pampering? The only downside? Some loss of counter space; risk of breakage; another vessel to clean, and you may get so accustomed to warm lather, going back to the 'old way' may be hard. You can spend a good amount for one ($$$), or make a nice DIY model. Both can suffice for creating warm lather. Scuttles are certainly NOT a necessity to get a good shave, but they make the whole experience all the more enjoyable. I highly recommend trying one. I was fortunate to have a couple of them made by Robert Becker, who regrettably due to health issues, is no longer taking orders and is producing scuttles on a very limited basis. Shown below are his largest model (with lid), and the smaller 'travel' scuttle.
I also got my Becker scuttle some time ago. Love it and was sad to read on his homepage that his health is really slowing down/stopping future production
I use either a regular scuttle or a brush scuttle every time I shave. I prefer the warm lather...feels good on the face. Ed
I have one from dirtybird pottery and used it almost daily for the last several years. The $50.00 or so will turn into fractions of a penny / shave. I load the brush first then whip in the scuttle. Barbershop warm lather every time
2 shots of my Mitchill’e Wool Fat Lather MWF in Moss Scuttle MWF in Moss Scuttle (by Sara Bonnyman) and on Brush My fist attempt to upload pictures of my efforts
I use a smallish scuttle to keep my brush warm in-between passes. I either face lather or build lather in another bowl, but that just because it's what I like to do.
To me thats like saying "That steak looks tempting but I'm saving money by eating these stale breadcrusts". lol. I know people that love their cold water shaves but I love a warm lather. I guess it's a good thing we're all different or it would be a boring world.
