I literally just melt some soap or smash some soap into a normal coffee mug. And it's totally fine. I even got a big 20oz one from the Dollar Tree that was microwave/oven/dishwasher safe and melted some VDH Deluxe into it. The red mug on the left has VDH deluxe in it. The brown mug in the back was a sweet mug from a Christian thrift store for .60 cents on SSU student discount day, and that has Stirling soap smashed into it like a kid playing with play-doh. The white mug is another dollar store coffee mug, and that has Stirling Facial Soap smashed into it. I wash my face with that and Biore Charcoal Cleanser and brush lather it. All the mugs lather f'ing fantastically. I love having different soaps in different mugs. It's very easy to load and looks pretty cool. Plus, only you know what's in it, which has some appeal to me for some reason. That's the caddy in my bathroom. That brush on the wall is the brush I use to dry brush my skin.
I generally use a cereal type bowl. I found a couple at target I think a few years ago. It's a heavy plastic which is good because without a handle I've dropped it. Plenty of room for building loads of lather, and it was 2 bucks I think. I tried some ceramics and heating them etc, but for me it didn't seem to make any difference. YMMV etc.
I do the same thing. When a soap goes from like to love, it earns it's own mug. Originally I was trying to use only vintage Golden Knight Soap mugs. But the prices started to rise after I bought five in a row... had to scrap that plan. Went thrifting and bought a bunch of similar mugs for a quarter each. Not cool old branded mugs, but they work just as good, and that is the important thing.
Yeah, man. My wooden bathroom caddy is way more organized now. I literally just get mugs from the Dollar Tree or the 99 cent store and check the thrift stores. You don't need any expensive mugs.
I use a SS bowl I got off of ebay. The dimensions are the same as the VDH ceramic bowl, only it won't break when I drop it.
Look for Michal Yoresh Pottery on Etsy , I have one of her scuttles and it's a beautiful thing and very functional too
As a lathering bowl for creams, I'm now using a shave bowl with bottom ridges from Captain's Choice. They come in a variety of colors and only cost a bit over $20. http://www.captainschoicestore.com/shop/cobalt-lather-bowl
My favorite bowl…when I'm not face-lathering. Easy to hold, plenty of room for a variety of pucks, a rimmed lip and not too smooth a surface. Has a ceramic lid as well. Big investment of about $4 0r $5…
I use a plastic salsa bowl. It's textured which is a plus. I've recently started face lathering and I think I like that better anyways. No need to spend anything over 10 bucks.
I have multiple shaving mugs and bowls but the one I primarily use is a medium sized ramekin I picked up from Pier One a couple years ago. I think it cost around 5 bucks. I got a small Christmas one at Michaels for 1 dollar but haven't used it yet.
If I read that correctly, you don't want your soaps to dry out? I let mine dry thoroughly (I shave around 5 am) then store it in a ziplock bag before going to bed that night. The ziplock bag keeps the dust out, the scent in and allows me to stack the bowls I keep my soap in.
I think the wooden lids work ok but a glass bowl with a rubber lid or a plastic bowl with a screw top lid designed for food storage really works well. Some folks like their soaps to dry. Some like to keep them damp. I like my soaps soft so a quick scuff with a damp brush is all that is needed for me to build a nice lather in a bowl or on the face. If you try to lather on op of the soap a really soft soap is likely to just make a mess.
I wanted to keep my Proraso white (a soft soap) in a nice looking container, so I put it in a nice little shaving bowl. It doesn't have a lid so the surface dried out a bit, much the same way play-doh would harden a bit. I just need to put some water on the surface to get it moist again but I was thinking a lid might keep the moisture in.
Maybe this winter I'll pull the trigger on a scuttle. I've been looking at scuttles from Roberts Feats of Clay. They look great and are pretty reasonably priced.
I use this coffee mug I bought at Target for $3.99. I never buy items sold as shave mugs as you'll pay 10x over just regular mugs. Antique stores and yard sales are also great too. However, if I did buy a shave specific item it would be a scuttle. Those sound really nice on cold winter mornings!
Check out Etsy, too. I've bought on there and have been very pleased, people are nice, fast shipping and respond very fast to questions. Some sellers have scuttles in stock while others make them to order. I've found some (The Mud Place) who will even accommodate special requests, such as the width of the bowl and how deep. Lots of brushes Be sure to check out the last link, scull shaving brush. Very cool! https://www.etsy.com/listing/114484351/big-daddy-shaving-scuttle-bowl-in-iron?ref=shop_ https://www.etsy.com/listing/102044171/shaving-scuttle-for-heating-lather-with?ref=favs_view_6home_active_7 https://www.etsy.com/listing/196127976/shaving-scuttle?ref=favs_view_21 https://www.etsy.com/listing/214727806/shaving-scuttle-shaving-bowl-wheel?ref=hp_mod_rf https://www.etsy.com/listing/173162...toneware-green-shaving?ref=shop_home_active_2 https://www.etsy.com/listing/173337534/shaving-scuttle-stoneware-blue-shaving?ref=shop_home_active_7 scull https://www.etsy.com/listing/191419048/skull-shaving-brush-hand-made-finest?ref=favs_view_4
Thanks Alan. I've checked Etsy for scuttles but unfortunately found them a little too expensive. RFOC has a nice $33 (shipping included) scuttle that he sells on eBay from time to time. Next time I see one (if I do as I hear he is cutting back) I'll buy it..............
Then there is always the kitchen cupboard with a nice supply of mugs and small bowl, but ask the wife :ahem: first if you can have one. If she chases you out her kitchen with a stick. then a walmart salsa bowl for $1 works great:rah:
