Adding a lather pattern to a ceramic bowl?

[BigBull]

When I upgraded my brush, the cereal bowl I was using was too small. Sooo, after searching I found a great ceramic bowl at World Market - $4.99. It's deep enough to sit in the warm water filled sink and contain my lather, and has some minor thumb size dimples that assist in making the lather. It works as is.

I'd like to know if anyone has suggestions on how to create a more defined pattern? Is there an Epoxy to lay down on the glaze? Can I Dremmel a pattern into it with a certain bit? Any ideas?

 

[McEwenC]

IMO, lather bowls can be had cheaply enough so that you shouldn't have to go through that trouble just to modify the one you own. Go to a thrift store with a buck or two and I'm sure you'll have a plethora of options to choose from

 

[BigBull]

Certainly can't argue with that! IMO, it's more trouble to go to a thrift store and spend money/time finding a bowl at $4/gal than to alter something I already own, with tools I have, and it otherwise fits the bill.

Anyone else?

 

[Oblique Human]

Well, why don't you start on that project then, BigBull? Keep us posted.

 

[BigBull]

I'm pickin' up what your puttin' down. Sorry.

 

[whavens]

I don't know if grinding the glaze off would work once you get it wet again. I would maybe think about using silicone caulk to make any ridges or designs you would like.

 

[MondoJ]

I was thinking the same thing on my favorite 3 dollar bowl how to add ridges don't want to larger over epoxy.

 

[mistervee123]

I wouldn't dremel the bowl, especially if it's ceramic and/or glazed. The grinding will create, in essence, small grooves filled with tiny, sharp edged glass points that will wreak havoc on the tips of your upgraded shaving brush... unless of course you don't mind replacing the brush when the hairs are too stubby after the tips are sheared off a little each day.

I have two scuttles, one with the lather "web" ridges and one smooth inside. I get a great lather in both, don't even notice ANY difference. Even the well respected Marco, B&B's Italian Connection, has a posted extolling the virtues of a very simple, clear glass bowl with a completely smooth interior that he loves for lathering. If you like the bowl you've purchased, why not leave it like it is? Heck, one of my favorite bowls is actually a stainless steel pet dish, with a smooth polished interior, and a non-slip rubber bottom. I got it from PetSmart for $5.00. It still looks brand new and works like a charm for travel or when I don't care if the lather remains warm. We all would rather go on the cheap like this when possible... and aesthetically pleasing.

On the other hand, if the bowl is something you are going to cherish and enjoy using every day, why not shell out a few bucks and support one of the many clay artists here on B&B or on Etsy, etc.? They are making wonderful, one-of-a-kind, works of shaving art. I've seen really cool shaving bowls with plain bottoms, lather webs, and spirals. If you take care of something like this, it will provide a lifetime of pleasurable use.

 

[Oblique Human]

BigBull, that really is a project I would like to see someone else undertake I have often thought about adding some silicone caulk to an otherwise great ceramic bowl to make it perfect but I am just too lazy.

 

[Threeme2189]

A $5 bowl? I would try experimenting on it, it's no big loss if you mess up.
Try dripping some lines of epoxy or gorilla glue into it to create ridges. I would go for a viscous glue, so it stays in place while drying and doesn't ooze down to the center and form a puddle.
I wouldn't try dremeling the glazing off because you might shatter/crack the bowl or really scratch up the bristles of your brush.

 

[bnalley]

If you grind on it with a dremmel, where a face mask. There is silica in the clay body, and once it is fired breathing in the dust from sanding/grinding on it is very bad for your lungs.

 

[Azarius]

Tom (HoosierTrooper) started using a Suribachi for a lathering bowl. For those that do not know what a Suribachi is, it is a Japanese grinding bowl. I picked up a very nice one off the bay in the $20 range, but I have seen them as cheap as $2.00 at Cost Plus/World Market.

This is one the I picked up, I liked the color and the Dragonfly. The fine ridges in the bowl really helps to build a great lather.

 

[Dusty1]

Skip the Dremmel and hit the bowl with some 80 grit sandpaper. It should accomplish what you're looking to do.

 

[BigBull]

I talked to to Julie from Dirty Bird Pottery (very nice lady, she'll probably be getting an order for a scuttle soon!) and she basically told me a) she has no experience doing anything like this so don't quote her lol b) Dremmel'n would be a bad idea, probably break the bowl or compromise the glaze which would allow mold, etc to enter the pores of the clay..rendering it useless over time c) mentioned the small particles glaze/silica that would shear off and enter the air, and lather = bad idea d) felt Epoxy may be a less than ideal option over a Hot Glue or Silicone bead...which is ultimately what she thought would be best to try...as it would more than likely be "removeable" if it didn't work out. This is where I'll start.

I'd totally agree with the $5 bowl comment...it's not about the $. It's more about asking others if they've tried it so I don't blindly do something that's knowingly not going to work. What else is a forum for?

Thanks to those that took the time to put thoughts down that were helpful. I'll keep it updated as my attempts move forward...

 

[mctmatt]

Big Bull read my post on Stoneware and Terracotta bowls that are not glazed. I was wanting something that had more surface friction as my ceramic bowl and stainless steel bowl allow for the lather to slide around to much when I try building the shave lather from a loaded brush. Brett has pictures of the shaving bowls that he is creating starting from Clay to the finished product. It is very cool to see.

 

[The Kiwi]

First off, I would have said that grinding a groove in the glazing was likely to start a crack that would split the bowl at some point before you finished adding grooves. Second, it isn't necessary to change the bowl itself immediately. There are a variety of drop-in items that would change the smoothness in the bowl by their presence in the bottom. I'm thinking of the difference between a bowl with and without a soap puck in the bottom. The puck is not only adding new product to the mixture, it is adding a SHAPE for the brush to encounter, unless it's been melted into the bottom.

Those glass furniture "glides" used for broadening the imprint of the furniture legs on the floor come in several sizes, all somewhat similarly shaped to a big puck of soap. Its weight probably keeps it from moving much, or you can add a rubber friction layer cut from some shelf liner intended for use with fine glassware (I use the stuff for all kinds of things).

Once any particular add-in proves useful, then you can attach it with silicone seal.

 

[AceByTerror]

I have thought about something like this before.

My idea was to epoxy (marine epoxy for obvious reasons) some kind of rubber matte/textured rubber scrubber to the bottom of a bowl. I have a feeling the lathering action would be off the charts!

Picture something like this, cut to shape to fit in the very bottom of a lathering bowl. You would seal the edges with epoxy/silicone to ensure no water got underneath...

http://m2.sourcingmap.com/smapimg/e...-pet-shower-bath-soft-rubber-brush-21000n.jpg

http://www.rubberimpex.com/images/RubberParts/XM0002/HorseRubberBrush/HorseRubberBrush103.jpg

http://www.groomers-online.com/shopimages/products/extras/Karlie-Rubber-Brush.jpg

 

[Triad]

Would rhino lining (for a pickup bed) destroy a brush?

 

[PugslyCat]

Would rhino lining (for a pickup bed) destroy a brush?

I'm thinking that would make for an awfully big lathering bowl, unless you went with the short bed.

 

[superbleu]

I thought about doing something similar.

My idea was to run some beads of silicone caulking along the bottom of the bowl,
then someone suggested to use the caulking to stick some marbles or some of those decorative flat rocks on the bottom of the bowl.

In the end I never got around to doing any of this and started face lathering and haven't used a bowl in years.