Last week I picked up a Robert Becker scuttle off "the world's largest online marketplace." It arrived yesterday and I used it for the first time this morning.
All I can say is ... MAJOR SHAVE DEN UPGRADE ...
I filled the scuttle with hot tap water, then used my regular face prep (shower and Neutrogena face scrub). After I got out of the shower I drained and refilled the scuttle with hot tap water, put the stopper in, and mixed up the usual amount of cream (in this case, TOBS Almond). The razor and blade were a Slim Adjustable (set to "5") and Personna Blue. This morning's brush was an older model Crabtree & Evelyn Super Badger (basically, a Face Mop) with a pretty big (24 - 26mm?) knot.
Bottom line: I got a *great* shave. Using hot tap water, the lather stayed comfortably warm -- with no noticeable temperature variation -- for all three passes. Maybe it's my imagination, but I think my neck was smoother than usual after the second pass and I needed very little buffing or touch-up after the third. Just a rinse and a little after shave. No nicks, no weepers, and no irritation.
I definitely think the scuttle made a difference ... this was my third shave with this particular blade, and a I got a better result than I had yesterday with the same razor, same blade, and same cream. It's not a perfectly controlled experiment, to be sure, but if I think the warm lather helps me to get a better shave, it probably will. And it feels great, which is justification enough, especially if it helps me get to work in halfway decent frame of mind.
My scuttle is a "medium" size, described as holding about 2-1/2 cups of water. I found it large enough to accommodate a substantial brush and I like that it's small enough that it doesn't need a lot of counter top space. I assume that the relatively modest size helps it hold heat better as well. The cost was $23.50 plus ten bucks shipping, neither of which seem outrageous. I'm no pottery expert, but the finish is attractive and it looks good on the bathroom counter.
My wife will eventually notice it and ask me what that teapot is doing in the bathroom, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
For the record, I have no affiliation whatsoever with Mr. Becker.
All I can say is ... MAJOR SHAVE DEN UPGRADE ...
I filled the scuttle with hot tap water, then used my regular face prep (shower and Neutrogena face scrub). After I got out of the shower I drained and refilled the scuttle with hot tap water, put the stopper in, and mixed up the usual amount of cream (in this case, TOBS Almond). The razor and blade were a Slim Adjustable (set to "5") and Personna Blue. This morning's brush was an older model Crabtree & Evelyn Super Badger (basically, a Face Mop) with a pretty big (24 - 26mm?) knot.
Bottom line: I got a *great* shave. Using hot tap water, the lather stayed comfortably warm -- with no noticeable temperature variation -- for all three passes. Maybe it's my imagination, but I think my neck was smoother than usual after the second pass and I needed very little buffing or touch-up after the third. Just a rinse and a little after shave. No nicks, no weepers, and no irritation.
I definitely think the scuttle made a difference ... this was my third shave with this particular blade, and a I got a better result than I had yesterday with the same razor, same blade, and same cream. It's not a perfectly controlled experiment, to be sure, but if I think the warm lather helps me to get a better shave, it probably will. And it feels great, which is justification enough, especially if it helps me get to work in halfway decent frame of mind.
My scuttle is a "medium" size, described as holding about 2-1/2 cups of water. I found it large enough to accommodate a substantial brush and I like that it's small enough that it doesn't need a lot of counter top space. I assume that the relatively modest size helps it hold heat better as well. The cost was $23.50 plus ten bucks shipping, neither of which seem outrageous. I'm no pottery expert, but the finish is attractive and it looks good on the bathroom counter.
My wife will eventually notice it and ask me what that teapot is doing in the bathroom, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
For the record, I have no affiliation whatsoever with Mr. Becker.
