Starting my dad on wetshaving - how to keep lather hot?

[TheOneBlackMage]

So my dad has been using disposable Mach3 razors with canned goop. I had been talking to him about how much I like using a brush because the lather is nice and hot, and he wanted to get something to try this with. He doesn't like using the cold gel foam.

I picked him up a few things as an early birthday present from Shoppers Drug Mart:

-Proraso White (Sensitive Skin) pre-shave
-Proraso White Shaving Soap
-Omega Boar Brush
-Styptic Pencil
-Tabac Shaving Cream

I'll admit giving up the Tabac was hard I ordered two of them from FragranceX during the last sale, and I am already a good 1/3rd through mine. I am going to Europe next week though, so I should have opportunity to get more. I hope he likes the scent.

The styptic pencil is because he has cut himself pretty bad below his ear, and I thought it would be good to have on hand in case he does it again.

The problem is, because he is using a Mach3, he usually only does one pass and is done. Any suggestions on how to heat up the lather for the first pass?

I usually make mine up in a mug and leave it in the sink full of hot water, so it is nice and hot for the second pass onwards, but that won't work for him.

I'll be looking into getting a scuttle for him maybe for Christmas, and I'm always looking for more older razors so I can fix one up for him to try.

 

[rockviper]

My mug (with brush soaking) sits in the sink with hot water while I shower. After I lather up, I pop my mug back in the sink (don't overfill sink or the mug will tip over) to keep the lather nice and warm for all 3 passs.

 

[Hex]

My mug (with brush soaking) sits in the sink with hot water while I shower. After I lather up, I pop my mug back in the sink (don't overfill sink or the mug will tip over) to keep the lather nice and warm for all 3 passs.

+1

This is what I do.

Plus I periodically drain the sink and refill with hot water. It cools off pretty quickly.

 

[RF1963]

I soak my brush in a ceramic bowl filled with hot water whilst I shower. I mix up my lather in the bowl. The sides of the bowl are thick enough to retain the heat.

 

[Ski-Patroller]

I fill the ceramic bowl with hot water and soak the brush in it. Some times I let the bowl sit in the sink full of hot water as well. It gets nice a warm, and stays that way. It only takes a couple of minutes to heat the bowl and soak the brush. After I make the lather in the bowl, I can leave it on the counter, or put it back in the sink full of water.

 

[life2short1971]

I bought a inepensive scuttle. Although I lather from my bowls with the soap in them like MWF or Tabac I still sit the brush in the Scuttle after loaded I am amazed how how hot the lather is after just a short time.

 

[Go West Young Man]

I don't understand the question - since he's only doing one pass, wouldn't the lather be warm when he creates it? It only cools down as it sits around waiting for the next pass.

 

[life2short1971]

The scuttle I bought was a Robert Becker off Ebay. He sells them for $24.95 with a brush holder too.The brush was not included but you probably knew that. I'm happy.

 

[pauls51]

The scuttle I bought was a Robert Becker off Ebay. He sells them for $24.95 with a brush holder too.The brush was not included but you probably knew that. I'm happy.

That is a nice setup right there

 

[jakespoppy]

........I'll admit giving up the Tabac was hard I ordered two of them from FragranceX during the last sale, and I am already a good 1/3rd through mine. I am going to Europe next week though, so I should have opportunity to get more. I hope he likes the scent.

.........The problem is, because he is using a Mach3, he usually only does one pass and is done. Any suggestions on how to heat up the lather for the first pass?......

Others are providing help on keeping lather warm, so I wanted to add a couple of different thoughts. I think it's really nice that you are gifting these things to your dad for his birthday. I know you were joking about giving up the Tabac. I have thought about this before - I just wish I had known of these things and could have shared them with my dad when he was still here. He would have absolutely loved it!

Also, have you discussed with him why he only does one pass? Is that all he needs, or wants? Has he considered doing a multiple-pass shave, re-lathering each time, for a closer shave? Even if he has considered it and has reasons not to, it could be a fun discussion for you and your dad.

 

[life2short1971]

That is a nice setup right there

thank you

 

[TheOneBlackMage]

Good comments, thanks everyone!

Yes I was just kidding about the Tabac... I actually am really excited to hear what he thinks of it

For me, I soak my brush in a mug of hot water while I shower, and then mix the lather up in it. It is usually warm, but not really hot. I leave the mug in the sink full of hot water while I do my first pass, and by the second pass it is nice and hot.

The trick is probably to get something that retains the heat better, so a ceramic mug or scuttle will probably be the next step.

For my dad, since he only does one pass right now with a Mach3, I just wanted to make sure he will get the best experience from it. I'm starting him out with just the wetshaving for now since he's pretty set in his ways. For now he will probably keep using the Mach3. If he enjoys using the brush and lather, I will bring over a DE for him to try out. I'm sure he would be happy if I'm getting all of his supplies for him

 

[Pkrankow]

I use 2 ceramic bowls, they are identicle and do not nest well, so there is a good space to have hot water in one while lathering in the other. If the bowls are preheated in a sink of hot water the lather stays quite hot for several minutes.

Phil

 

[DoubleE]

You can pick up a coffee cup warmer to set your shaving bowl on. It will keep the lather nice and toasty right through the end of your shave.

 

[boctok]

I see the coffee warmer. I use a candle powered tea warming trivet. I have a large mug of water which I soak my brush in while showering which is kept warm with the candle. When I'm shaving, the water stays on the candle for dipping the razor in which makes it nice and warm for each stroke. When I have just a couple of strokes left to do, I switch the water for my lather mug with the brush in. The lather is really nice and warm a minute later. I switch back and forth with each pass. Not everyone will like this much activity but I like the results; warm lather and warm razor. I wouldn't leave the brush on the candle very long, though because it might get too hot.