I watch quite a few shaving videos and very rarely see the use of a scuttle. Are they effective at keeping the lather warm or not. Having never tried one I pulled the trigger on a Qshave at Amazon to see for myself.
I understand the ritual part of the experience. My shave is almost a spiritual experience.I've been using a scuttle for years. It's more a part of the ritual than anything else, and I agree with Phil on his view above. The lather instantly loses heat the minute it's applied to the face. Doesn't take long to match your face temperature or the surrounding air.
I tried the scuttle today. It warmed the lather for sure. It wasn’t like the hot lather machine at the barber shop when I was a kid growing up in Chicago. Even kids got the hot lather around the ears and the straight razor finishing touch. That was a treat for me as most of my haircuts took place in the kitchen.When used properly, they can be effective. Some soaps and cres don't handle heat well and will break down.
I use a brush scuttle, but only to soak and apply my initial bit of tubed cream. I don't fill the outer reservoir. The brush soaking in hot water keeps my lather warm enough for my one pass shave.
I think some people expect a scuttle to provide a hot towel type shaving experience, and that just isn't the case.
The lather can certainly be kept warm, and it's better than it cooling off between passes, but it isn't and wasn't intended to be a hot steaming lather experience.
It's nice on a cold morning, but isn't critical to your shave by any means.