So what actually distinguishes a shaveing mug from a coffee/soup etc mug?
H
H
TRaditional shaveing mugs
- Thread starter Hercule
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- #2
Aint that the truth! Especially when deemed "vintage".
But seriously are there any specific distinguishing characteristics?
The vintage" mug I have has a lip on the bottom rim widenning the base making it easy to hold in the palm of my hand with my thumb in the handle. It offers great control and stability.
H
Most Old Spice mugs have "risers" on the bottom of the mug that hold the soap puck off of the bottom of the mug, so it is not constantly wet.
So that is certainly one difference.
Other than the vintage Old Spice, and Seaforth mugs, quite a few of the items sold as shaving bowls/mugs today are nearly useless for their intended purpose. Does one really need a $30-$50 mug who's entire point is to hold a soap puck, as they are way way to small to generate lather in?
I have found a very large cappuccino/ soup mug is the best for actually generating lather in. Those are usually available new for around $5, and less than that at thrift/ resale shops.
So that is certainly one difference.
Other than the vintage Old Spice, and Seaforth mugs, quite a few of the items sold as shaving bowls/mugs today are nearly useless for their intended purpose. Does one really need a $30-$50 mug who's entire point is to hold a soap puck, as they are way way to small to generate lather in?
I have found a very large cappuccino/ soup mug is the best for actually generating lather in. Those are usually available new for around $5, and less than that at thrift/ resale shops.
I agree. I am very new to all this, but it seemed to me that 90% of the shaving mugs were actually plain old bowls with a hefty price tag. I have seen some that are "ribbed" (don't know the right term) on the inside that will help in forming the lather faster.
However, I seem to be able to get pretty good lather in a couple of minutes with inexpensive soaps and brushes using a latte mug i found at A&P for $2. It's wider than a regular mug, so i figured this would allow more room for air and water to mix with the soap to make good lather.
However, I seem to be able to get pretty good lather in a couple of minutes with inexpensive soaps and brushes using a latte mug i found at A&P for $2. It's wider than a regular mug, so i figured this would allow more room for air and water to mix with the soap to make good lather.
Antique Hoosier
“Aircooled”
Many will have THIS appearance... note handle and bottom of mug are very distinctive... This is the shape of MOST Occupational and heavily decorated Mugs of the late 19th and early 20th Century...
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- #6
Thats one gorgeous mug! Damn you - now you got me thinking about collecting mugs! Resist... resist...
That shape is what I was described earlier. I'd be interested to know the general dimensions on the bowl of the Latte mug everybody seems to talk about. I've used what amounts to be an oversized coffee cup (not mug) and it just seems conducuive to making much ore lather than I need. Right now I'm using a "vintage" shaving mug that's about 3 inches in diameter (straight sided with no fancy ribbing), and making my lather right on top of the puck. Works perfectly for me.
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I agree, that's a great mug.
I've been searching everywhere for one of those early mugs.
First of all, a traditional (as in "back in day") shaving mug was used to hold the soap so that you can either load up the brush, or create your lather right on top of the puck.
Shaving mugs were generally larger and heavier than coffee cups. Coffee cups at the time were the sort that were thin, often shallow in comparison to today's cups or mugs, and somewhat fragile. A sturdy base was often part of the shaving mug, along with a more robust handle. Well designed ones flared out at the lip to allow the brush more room when stirring.
I dare say that today's large coffee mugs came about because people used shaving mugs for coffee.
Shaving mugs, as has been pointed out, were built for shaving.
Is there a functional difference between most shaving mugs and the modern day coffee/soup mug? Not really. Wider mouth and shorter for the most part. The little "vanes" are not needed to keep most soaps in place.
However, having an Old Spice or Seaforth mug adds flavor to a shave cave that no coffee cup can, simply because they are vintage items built for shaving.
The occupational mugs, and other pre-WWII era mugs and scuttles are in the same boat.
Are they worth the money? I guess only you can answer that. For me, the modest amounts of money I've dropped on real shaving mugs is repaid every time I lay eyes on one or use it.
I'm using great soaps and creams, first rate blades, top flight razors...not the most expensive stuff, but nice enough. Do I want to dive in to that experience with a vintage shaving mug with the Grand Turk in my hand, or a coffee mug with Garfield announcing he hates Mondays?
Is there a functional difference between most shaving mugs and the modern day coffee/soup mug? Not really. Wider mouth and shorter for the most part. The little "vanes" are not needed to keep most soaps in place.
However, having an Old Spice or Seaforth mug adds flavor to a shave cave that no coffee cup can, simply because they are vintage items built for shaving.
The occupational mugs, and other pre-WWII era mugs and scuttles are in the same boat.
Are they worth the money? I guess only you can answer that. For me, the modest amounts of money I've dropped on real shaving mugs is repaid every time I lay eyes on one or use it.
I'm using great soaps and creams, first rate blades, top flight razors...not the most expensive stuff, but nice enough. Do I want to dive in to that experience with a vintage shaving mug with the Grand Turk in my hand, or a coffee mug with Garfield announcing he hates Mondays?
The Ship Grand Turk sails on in my bathroom!
The Old Spice mug is the perfect final resting place for smallish pucks like provence sante, definitely worth the investment. I especially like the older pottery versions.
