Shaving scuttles vs. mugs

[Paladin]

I was wondering if anyone has been using a shaving scuttle successfully, and might be able to compare it to using a mug. I'm thinking of purchasing a scuttle to clean up the messiest part of shaving--brush-loading soap.

[Paladin]

Well, since no one bit on the comparison topic of scuttles vs mugs, perhaps I can rephrase it....What experience have any of you had with using shaving mugs? I use a cube soap from Charles and mix with tube cream for my lather. But I'm thinking of purchasing a mug or soap dish or a scuttle to clean up my shaving area (it's much busier with my shaving supplies than even my wife's sink....so says my wife ;) ). Just thought I'd ask some of the other shaving afficianados around here to see if I could glean some advice before purchasing a mug/scuttle/dish.

[Mycroft]

Try The Art of Shaving: http://www.theartofshaving.com/index_flash.html

[Paladin]

Thanks, Mycroft...I appreciate the suggestion. However, I've purchased items through Art of Shaving (treat myself to a shave there whenever I'm in NYC) and have sources for the actual products. But I'm looking for opinions on what some shavers here use. Mug? Bowl? Scuttle? Or an old soap dish or coffee cup?

[Mycroft]

Ok, just trying to help with some ideas, since I still use the stuff from the can. Trying to get off of it.

[Paladin]

I appreciate your intention, Mycroft and am glad you posted your response. Good luck getting rid of the can...each day you use it is missing the brush/soap day in paradise. A brush shave is like no other. Can't be replicated in a can of foam and air. Especially the gel, which is terrible for your skin. If you use the gel, may I suggest you convert to soap foam to head in the right direction, then try the brush shave. Wean yourself off the gel, if that's what you're using now. You owe it to your face. Treat it well, it will treat you well.... ;)

[Mycroft]

I have to get rid of it sooner then later because I am alergic to all the stuff in it. It is canned soap though.

[Slicksuit]

I recently converted back to brush/soap shaving myself within the last month. For now, I am using a cheap a-ss Burma mug and brush set. I'm saving up for the double edge razor with silvertip brush and bowl set from classic shaving.com. That chrome set looks awesome!

It seems to me that a scuttle would keep the soap warmer for a longer period of time, as the water is in a chamber under the soap. The soap is contained above the chamber, with perforations to allow drainage. Scuttles were used at the turn of the century, before plumbing was commonplace. The water was placed in the scuttle and warmed on the stove. It probably would also allow you to conserve water. I say give it a try. Part of making shaving enjoyable is experimenting with different tools and products.

That said, I was originally considering straight edge shaving myself, but decided using a DE blade was best. SE shaving has a learning curve that I simply don't have the time to devote to. It's enough for me right now to take the time to whip up lather before shaving and allowing proper hydration of the skin. I want to go to DE shaving simply because I'm getting tired of paying 2.50 per blade for a Mach 3.

I have read all of the essays on Enchante. Charles is quite passionate about the subject. If one were to take anything away from them, it is that proper skin preparation before shaving is critical to a comfortable experience.

[Johnnysan]

This is an interesting thread. I suffer from razor bumps from ingrown hairs that seem to get worse when I have to shave every day and my beard is also very heavy.

Some time ago, following a particularly bad outbreak, I began using a single edge razor (the real disposable blade type), shaving soap and a brush. After a week or so, my beard really seemed to respond and many of the bumps cleared up. I stuck with this routine for awhile and then fell off the wagon and went back to soap in a can and a Gillete Mach 3 razor.

The upshot? The bumps are back with a vengence.

A lot of this is probably caused by too close of a shave with the Mach 3, but I'm also ceratin that the canned soap is to blame. The cheaper the soap...the worse the problem AND the sooner it develops.

It's back to the single edge blades and a brush for me. As for the mug/bowl/cup issue, I use a small lidded Pyrex container that is about the size of a custard cup. It works great, is easy to slip into a travel kit, and is resistent to nose dives off the edge of hotel bathroom sinks!

Oh...and the razor? You'd be surprised what you can find at your local antique store for under ten bucks. I've picked up two like-new Gillettes in the original box (probably 1950's vintage) and after sterilizing them in boiling water they were put into service.

[Mycroft]

Good tips and stories, since I get the bumbs too.

[ginobarracuda]

Hope no one minds me throwing my $0.02 in..

I have a Col. Conk scuttle... http://209.35.185.42/ShopSite/Colonel_Conk_Shave_Mug_316.html

The problem I have with it is that:
1) the soap bowl isn't very deep so as you swirl the brush over the cake, the soap has a tendency to slop over the side... so much for tidiness.

2) If I get the water too hot (I microwave the water for 1-1.5 mins, since my apartment hot water is never hot enough, I think), it has a tendency to make the soap a bit too warm and it melts/evaporates rather fast sometimes. I must admit that most of the soaps I use are glycerine-based, so they're alot easier to over heat compared to the regular shaving soap cakes (burma-shave, colgate, et al).

I've had my eye on this scuttle, but again, the bowl isn't deep enough for my liking:
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522952/429489.htm

I'm still looking for the perfect mug too, I guess.....
And... I want that same razor set that slicksuit mentioned!!

[CasaBlancaChuck]

I have several Old Spice Hull Pottery mugs made from the 1930s to the 40s. These have a handmade and nostalgic look (all are slightly different). You can check these out by looking at Old Spice Collectibles on the internet as well as many other interesting Old Spice collectibles. Also, there are many Old Spice items offered on eBay under Old Spice including the Hull Pottery mugs on occasion...soaps, razors, brushes, talcum...and, of course, that never out of style, sweet smellin' Old Spice After Shave...Webster's says you can spell collectible with either an i or an a. The i didn't look right to me, but it gets first choice...I didn't know that.

[SHARPETOYS]

I have two scuttles, both antiques, that I bought mostly because I like them, and I broke another.

To be honest, the only time I use them is when the power is out, and that is rarely, or on occasion for travel "off the beaten path", although then I'm usually travelling a little light to consider taking one. They are very convenient for somewhat more "primitive" circumstances- put a kettle on the Alpaca kerosene stove, when it whistles I fill the scuttle and tea mug or pot at the same time, carry the scuttle upstairs for a nice hot shave, and the tea is steeped by the time I'm through.

AFAIK, that's how they're intended to be used. I don't see that there's any particular advantage for cleaning the brush, or if you're just shaving with hot tap water. On the other hand, if you don't have a scuttle when using hot water from a kettle, you really need two containers.

I'm afraid for routine day-to-day shaving I'm something of a philistine. I don't get any pleasure out of it, it's just a chore, and one that takes far too long in the morning when I have no time to spare. I shave in the shower because my beard is softer in there and it's faster.

For those having real trouble with the soap slopping over, you may be using too much water. That seems to be the most common mistake men make when trying the brush technique.. if the brush is too wet, you get foam that's pretty much useless, instead of a real lather. A thick lather whipped up with a just-barely-wet brush is much different than a wet foam, and will lubricate far better. A good soap and lather makes more difference than a better blade.

Thank you one of the best posts i've ever read. I agree its the lather more so than the razor. :) :cool: :)