Is a modern scuttle really "worth it"

[jeff_C]

My den is close to "complete". The only things I really want to try are an open comb razor and a modern scuttle.

But I am wondering... Is a modern scuttle really worth it? I think they are neat creations. (I am a fan of cool pottery). But do they REALLy make that big of a difference in lather temp? My 3 pass shaves are ususlly done in 10 minutes. I just dont know if a scuttle is going to improve my shave or make it much more enjoyable.

Of course its hard to quantify that "nifty" factor... But I am beginning to wonder if I would be wasting my money on a modern scuttle.

What say you?

 

[Lion and the Fox]

I enjoy my Dirty Bird 1.5 scuttle! It's really big, which is different, and keeps my lather warm.

It might not be a necessity for you in terms of your current shaving routine, but you might want one just to add that little extra to your collection.

 

[Mick]

I will use a scuttle in winter for almost every shave. Either a brush scuttle or a lathering scuttle.

The other half of the year they just sit on the shelf.

Only you can decide if they work for you and the only way to know is to get one.

If you have a word market store near you they sell a gravy warmer for under $10 that makes a very good inexpensive brush scuttle (to hold your brush between passes when you face lather). This might be the least expensive way to decide if they are for you. It is not a great product, the water reservoir is small and it is made of porcelain not heavy clay pottery so it does not stay warm like a thick pottery one will but for under $10 it will give you an idea of what a brush scuttle is all about.

Here is an older post that talks about this pseudo brush scuttle: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showth...ould-be-a-brush-scuttle?p=3698726#post3698726

 

[Snuff-Belgium]

I have periods that I use one and periods that I only face lather, you don't need one but I find it nice to use, only you can decide if you want to spend the cash for one.

 

[Rockminer]

If you already bowl lather, or if you have a bowl laying around, you can make a make shift scuttle by getting a container, fill it with warm water and float the lather bowl in the warm water. It doesn't work as well as a scuttle but it will give you the sensation of what warmer lather feels like.

Be carefull to not let the bowl fill with water.

 

[k4dm0nky]

I just got a beauty from DB. I don't think its a necessity, it purely luxury.

 

[Ozgun]

Warm lather is the best thing in traditional wet shaving. Always wanted a scuttle but those goddamn international shipping rates prevent me.

 

[mmack66]

+1 on the World Market gravy boat scuttle.

I face lather, so I just use it to hold my brush between passes, but I like the sensation of warm lather, so it is totally worth it to me.

I would try one if you are curious, as it is something that is easy to sell if you find you don't like it.

 

[skleice]

I had a DB scuttle for a while, and though it was a beautiful piece I found that it wasn't really worth the extra effort for me. I sold it on BST.

 

[rajagra]

My den is close to "complete". The only things I really want to try are an open comb razor and a modern scuttle.

Put it this way. Make the OC razor the priority.

I haven't used my scuttle for a while. They do work, but my bathroom has no good place to set it down and use, let alone store it. I think having space or not is the deciding factor in whether to get a scuttle or not.

 

[skleice]

I had a DB scuttle for a while, and though it was a beautiful piece I found that it wasn't really worth the extra effort for me. I sold it on BST. The good news if you buy a DB, is that you can sell it very easily for almost full price because there is a 6 week wait time to order from Julie.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Not worth it to me since I'm strictly a cold water shaver.

 

[sgtd]

Put it this way. Make the OC razor the priority.

+1.

 

[mwhitcraft]

I love my scuttle, but this is really a ymmv thing. If your shaves are short, you'll like the scuttle even more, because they will heat your lather, but tend to cool off before a long three pass shave is complete.

However, a scuttle will certainly provide hotter lather no matter how short your shave is, because you will always begin your shave with cold or room temperature soap/cream.

 

[jeff_C]

great input guys! I think I will try the makeshift "bowl in a bowl" idea for a bit. See how I like that and then go from there.

This thread gave some good insight.

I love this place!

 

[michiganlover]

I think scuttles are over rated. And I am big klutz, so it would eventually just be a expensive pile of broken ceramic. I owned a scuttle for about four months, but then sold it, and have never replaced it.

 

[beginish]

Not worth it to me since I'm strictly a cold water shaver.

I prefer hot water shaves, and still don't think they're worth it. In fact, it's the one piece of shaving gear I regret purchasing.

 

[Watasha]

I have a Georgetown G5 & I very much enjoy it. I sometimes use it even when it's not cold (no water in reservoir) because I like it so much. Is it necessary? Of course not. I think it's definitely worth trying though. As someone said above, you can sell it easily if you don't care for it it. As for me, I may get a G20 or DB one day. That should tell you how much I think of my G5.

Oh and another benefit is it looks awesome assuming you have somewhere to display it. I get compliments on mine constantly when folks visit the bathroom at my house. Very classy addition to any bathroom/sink area.

 

[Invicta]

A scuttle in winter is just bliss. Not essential but just makes it even more enjoyable.

 

[whtwolf]

Has anyone tried to use a coffee cup warmer to keep the bowl warm? I was thinking something like this might keep the lather nice and warm.